What is ‘cozy cardio’ and why is everyone going crazy for it on TikTok?

A new fitness trend is sweeping TikTok, and it’s making a lot of people rethink the way they view working out. It’s called “cozy cardio,” a low-impact exercise method that focuses on making yourself feel as comfortable — and as “cozy” — as possible while getting in a workout.

For some, that might look like lighting scented candles, turning on a rom-com and hopping on the treadmill for 30 minutes to an hour. For others, they might throw on their comfiest pajamas, dim the lights and find a dance workout on Netflix or YouTube.

Either way, cozy cardio is basically “me time” reimagined; it’s all about setting a relaxed vibe that gets your body moving but doesn’t make you dread working out.

TikTokers seem drawn to it because it all happens in the comfort of their home. There are no gym costs, high-intensity routines or even the pressure of looking good, as some may feel with the “Hot girl walk” trend.

“Cozy cardio is a really great way to honor your body and prioritize your peace through movement,” lifestyle influencer Allie Bennett recently told The New York Post.

It can also be a great way to jumpstart your workout routine in private if you feel self-conscious about your body or don’t want to have eyes on you at the gym.

“For people who prefer to work out on their own, this is a great option,” Sadie Kurzban, founder and CEO of the 305 Fitness studio in downtown Manhattan, also told The Post. “It doesn’t matter if you’re walking in the gym, at home, or even outside, it’s about doing what makes you the most comfortable and what’s going to hold you accountable every day.”

While the trend seems to have been around for a while now, the term “cozy cardio” was reportedly coined by a health and wellness influencer named Hope Zuckerbrow (@hope_zuckerbrow), who founded something she calls the “Cozy Cardio Club” after using the method to drop 100 pounds.

Now, the influencer commands a following of nearly 900,000, who check in daily as Zuckerbrow shares everything from workout tips to recipes.

In the process, Zuckerbrow has helped fuel a movement that’s inspired countless women online. Many are now sharing their own weight loss journeys on TikTok, where the hashtag #CozyCardio has well over 1.1 million views.

According to fitness coach Dan Go, walking increases serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, which regulate your thoughts and emotions. It also releases endorphins, promotes neuroplasticity, increases oxygen and helps you manage stress and energy levels.

And yet, studies show that most of us aren’t moving nearly much as we should be on a daily basis.

“The average American gets 3000 to 4000 steps a day,” Go shared in a recent viral tweet. “This pales in comparison to our hunter gatherer ancestors who got 16,000 to 17,000 steps.”

Luckily, trends like #CozyCardio are helping to change that. While followers may not be pumping iron in the gym or training to run marathons, they’re proving that by setting a tone that works for them and increasing their steps each day, they can regain control of their mental and physical health in a whole new way.

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