2893: The 5 Best Forms of Cardio Ranked From Worst to Best (The Results Will Surprise You)

2893: The 5 Best Forms of Cardio Ranked From Worst to Best (The Results Will Surprise You)

Author: Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer, Justin Andrews, Doug Egge July 3, 2026 Duration: 1:23:54

MAPS Upper Lower: https://mapsupperlower.com
Code: LAUNCH for 40% off. Includes male and female programs, workout videos, exercise demos, coaching videos and live coaching with Cole.

In this episode the guys break down the top 5 ways to do cardio ranked from worst to best — running, HIIT, steady state, walking, and playing. Sal shares his return to jiu jitsu after nearly 20 years away, his brother-in-law going easy on him, and why he expects to drop 10-15 pounds of muscle doing it. They also get into California pressuring utility companies to issue contracts to LGBT-certified businesses and the certification process, a new study linking diabetes to a 60% higher risk of dementia and why strength training is the best prevention, Sal doing the Organifi parasite cleanse wrong, Sal's grandfather drinking gasoline to kill a tapeworm in Sicily, and Adam having a dream about Doug running a bunk bed rental business out of his six-car garage. Then they answer questions from Instagram on step-ups vs squats, strength training for a 13-year-old soccer player, whether you should stop heavy barbell lifts after 40, and the wildest gym stories from their careers as trainers.

SPONSORS

Troscriptions (Calm supplement): https://troscriptions.com/MINDPUMP
Code: MINDPUMP for 10% off your first order. Medical grade supplements. Calm discussed on air — Sal used it to fall asleep after jiu jitsu training.

Organifi (natural parasite cleanse): https://organifi.com/mindpump
Code: MINDPUMP for 20% off. Two-product protocol: parasite cleanse and gut healing formula. Day 1-3 and day 4-7 instructions available on the Organifi website.

Our Place (non-toxic cookware): https://fromourplace.com
Code: MINDPUMP for 10% off sitewide. Always Pan replaces eight pieces of cookware, titanium nonstick, forever chemical free, 100-day trial with free returns, free shipping on orders over $135.

LINKS

Mind Pump Store: https://mindpumpstore.com
Maps Fitness Products: https://mapsfitnessproducts.com
Instagram: @mindpumpmedia

0:00 - Intro
2:22 - Top 5 forms of cardio ranked from worst to best
3:29 - Ranked #5 (worst): Running — why most people have lost the skill and get injured
9:50 - Ranked #4: HIIT — great data, appropriate for maybe 10% of people
12:35 - Ranked #3: Steady state — safe, appropriate, easy to abuse
13:54 - Ranked #2: Walking — longevity data is undeniable and anyone can do it
18:40 - Ranked #1 (best): Playing — why Sal put jiu jitsu back on the schedule after 20 years
23:22 - Sal's first night back at jiu jitsu — what worked, what didn't, and what's next
42:58 - Diabetes linked to 60% higher dementia risk and why strength training is the best prevention
44:39 - Organifi parasite cleanse — how to do the protocol correctly (Sal was doing it wrong)
48:49 - Sal's grandfather drank gasoline to kill a tapeworm in Sicily — it worked
53:09 - Adam's dream about Doug's bunk bed rental business in his six-car garage
58:21 - Q&A: Are step-ups a good substitute for squats?
1:01:12 - Q&A: Best program for a 13-year-old training for soccer season
1:04:34 - Q&A: Should you stop heavy barbell lifts after 40?
1:10:16 - Q&A: Craziest gym stories from working as trainers


Tired of fitness fads and conflicting advice that leaves you more confused than when you started? Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth cuts through the noise with a no-nonsense approach you can actually trust. Hosts Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer, Justin Andrews, and Doug Egge bring their combined expertise to every conversation, dismantling popular myths and calling out the pervasive snake oil in the wellness world. Instead of hype, they focus on practical, science-backed strategies for building muscle, enhancing performance, and-most importantly-sustaining long-term health. Their discussions are grounded in reality, often challenging even the most sacred institutions in the industry with a blend of sharp insight and relatable humor. Each episode of this podcast feels like an honest talk with knowledgeable friends who aren’t afraid to question everything. You’ll find clarity on nutrition, training paradigms, and lifestyle choices, all delivered without an agenda other than giving you the unfiltered facts. For anyone exhausted by the constant churn of gimmicks and seeking a sustainable path to feeling and looking better, this is an essential listen. The raw truth isn’t always pretty, but with this team guiding you, it’s undeniably effective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth
Podcast Episodes
2937: The Best Workout Program To Grow Your Butt & Reveal Your Abs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:58
MAPS Abs & Butt: ⁠https://mapsabsandbutt.com⁠ Abs and glutes. The two most requested body parts, the two most commonly undertrained. In this episode, Sal, Adam, and Justin break down the brand new MAPS Abs and Butt progr…
2936: If You Love Working Out, You Probably Need to Hear This [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:09:58
MAPS BOGO: https://mapsbogo.com Buy one get one free — mix and match any of the top 10 most popular programs (Anabolic, Aesthetic, Performance, 15 Minutes, Anywhere, Symmetry, Starter, Muscle Mommy, Powerlift, 40+). In t…
2935: Build A Brain That AI Can't Replace with Jim Kwik [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:31
Jim Kwik's New Book: https://limitlessdaily.com Products: MAPS BOGO Sale — https://mapsbogo.com.com Sponsors: LMNT — https://drinklmnt.com/mindpump AI can synthesize, process, and generate faster than any human alive. Bu…
2933: How To Choose The Right Gym for You ! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:02
MAPS BOGO: https://mapsbogo.com Buy one get one free — mix and match any of the top 10 most popular programs (Anabolic, Aesthetic, Performance, 15 Minutes, Anywhere, Symmetry, Starter, Muscle Mommy, Powerlift, 40+) for $…
2931: The Exact Foods to Eat to Lose Fat Without Starving Yourself [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:57:35
MAPS BOGO: https://mapsbogo.com Buy one get one free — mix and match any of the top 10 most popular programs (Anabolic, Aesthetic, Performance, 15 Minutes, Anywhere, Symmetry, Starter, Muscle Mommy, Powerlift, 40+) In th…
2929: 5 "Health" Foods That Are Actually Sabotaging Your Diet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:00:08
In this episode the guys break down 5 health foods you should probably avoid — roasted nuts and why they're one of the only whole natural foods that's hyper palatable and calorie dense enough to blow your deficit without…