Building stamina takes time and hard work, but the payoff is being able to engage in physical activity for longer without getting tired. That could mean lengthening your workouts, or just taking the stairs without getting winded. No matter what your goal, the way to drastically improve your stamina is to push yourself physically, forcing your body to adapt to aerobic challenges. Exercising at a strenuous level a few times a week can noticeably boost your endurance in as little as a few weeks.
Step 1
Choose an intense workout for a shorter period of time. The New York City Fire Department recommends keeping your heart rate at 70 to 85 percent of its maximum for at least 20 minutes, three or more times each week to improve aerobic capacity. Good activities to get your heart rate up include running, swimming, using an elliptical machine, biking and hiking.
Step 2
Switch up your routine. Choosing different exercises forces your body to adapt to different types of work, which increases your overall stamina. Try different cardiovascular workouts, and incorporate weight lifting a few times a week. The Mayo Clinic recommends strength training to boost your stamina, because your body won't fatigue as easily as you get stronger.
Step 3
Be patient, and don't push yourself too hard. Drastically improving stamina takes time, but you will start to see gradual results after just a few workouts. Keep working out regularly, and never push yourself to the point of pain or dizziness. The "Chicago Tribune" recommends exercising at a level where you are too out of breath to sing the chorus of a song or have a lengthy conversation, but not so out of breath that you cannot answer a question.
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