Cardio Exercises 25 Moves For Effective At-Home Cardio Workouts

Bodyweight training allows for fuller range of motion of exercises and can help build the mind-muscle connection to properly and effectively engage each muscle group. Plank jacks put together the advantages of a plank with the circulation-boosting movements of jumping jacks. This full-body exercise will engage your core, arms, and legs while improving cardiovascular health. Seated leg extensions develop quadriceps strength and endurance while elevating heart rate through rhythmic movement. The seated position makes this exercise accessible for those with balance concerns or those who need to build leg strength before progressing to standing exercises.

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Next, use your front arm to create momentum as you swing your arms forward to leap the back leg to the side. This skating motion will switch sides, so the previously back leg is now in the front, and vice versa. From here, move to your right using quick shuffle steps for six steps.

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Many also are compound moves, which work multiple muscle groups to really tax your cardiovascular system. So how do you know you’re creating a fresh and effective HIIT workout at home, as opposed to throwing together a bunch of random exercises? It helps to break them out in terms of categories (see below!) that can combine to give you a full-body HIIT workout, says Wong. That way, you won’t be doing all upper-body work, for example, unless that’s your aim. And by alternating which muscles you’re working, you’ll be able to go hard on each move without feeling prematurely fatigued.

You look like someone who loves free workouts, discounts for cult-fave wellness brands, and exclusive Well+Good content. Sign up for Well+, our online community of wellness insiders, and unlock your rewards instantly. But contrary to popular belief, at-home cardio can get your heart rate pumping to max capacity without ever having to leave your living room—or put on pants. Tell us what you want to achieve and receive personalized goals. For those who’ve graduated from 21 Day Fix with honors, or already have a solid fitness base, this more challenging version of Autumn Calabrese’s breakout program promises even more dramatic results.

Those who enjoy high-intensity workouts or competitive sports should absolutely continue those pursuits. Do a different workout each day of the week with Autumn Calabrese’s wildly popular fitness program, which combines cardio and strength training to achieve dramatic results in just three weeks. This higher score indicates an improvement in fitness and health levels, especially heart and lung health, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Hamstring Stretch – 1 minute each side

In order to lose belly fat, you need to lose weight overall by getting enough sleep, eating well, and getting at least half an hour of exercise each day. When people think of lower ab exercises, they often think of crunches. These low-impact exercises target both your upper and lower abs. They likely won’t help you lose weight because they don’t make you burn a lot of calories.

Choosing low-impact exercises like walking or using machines such as an elliptical can help minimize strain on your joints while still elevating your heart rate effectively. Ensure you stay hydrated, begin at a beginner-friendly pace to avoid injuries, and consider integrating heart monitoring to optimize safety and workout intensity. If you have access to a gym, a good cardio workout for beginners is starting on the elliptical. It gives you a full-body, low-impact cardio workout and is an excellent way to get comfortable with doing aerobic workouts. You can also vary the intensity of the workout by controlling your speed, tempo, and reps/sets, says Brewer. Few people look forward to housecleaning, but if you apply the right kind of elbow grease, it just might double as your cardio workout.

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) combines short bursts of intense exercise with short rest periods. It’s a really efficient way to train because ideally you work at your ‘all-out’ pace for short periods of time and then catch your breath before going ‘all-out’ again. A person should be aware of their limits and make sure not to push themselves too far.

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Skater Jump

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Here are the 10 best cardio exercises you can do at home with just your body weight. You’ll learn how to incorporate them into customized cardio workouts tailored to your body, fitness level, preference, and goals. Jump in (perhaps literally), get your heart rate up, and get sweaty. A cardio workout at home refers to a bodyweight exercise routine that requires minimal equipment, offering a quick and simple way to improve physical fitness. A cardio workout plan at home refers to a structured home-based aerobic exercise program that individuals engage in three to five times per week.

Both indoor and outdoor cycling are phenomenal low-impact forms of cardio that are great for all different types of fitness levels. You can change the intensity with both speed and resistance, allowing for workout variety to keep things fun and efficient. A great addition to any home gym, exercise bikes range from more high-end smart bikes with guided mad muscle reviews classes to standard recumbent bikes for a fantastic workout.

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This No-Equipment Cardio Workout Takes Just 20 Minutes

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  • Cardio workouts at home can be just as effective as those done at the gym, if not more so.
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  • You can substitute lunges for step-ups if you are comfortable with your form.
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  • Jumping jacks are a classic cardio movement that gets your whole body moving.
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  • This 30 minute cardio workout is ideal for a wide range of fitness levels because of how easily it can be modified to be more or less challenging.
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  • Plank jacks are a great cardio move that will also work your arms, legs, and core.
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  • You won’t need them for this routine, and if some exercises aren’t suitable for you, there are alternative exercises provided.

Get fit at home with this 10-Minute Beginner Cardio Workout. There’s no jumping and no equipment needed for this quick and effective home workout. This all-standing cardio workout at home will leave you feeling accomplished and energized in just ten minutes.

Here, McFaden, Wolff, and 305 Fitness trainer Tori Fyock share their favorite at-home cardio moves that require zero equipment—except maybe a towel, because you’ll definitely be sweating. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommend 15 minutes of jump rope exercises as part of a person’s daily moderate intensity exercise. If you’re looking for a fiery total-body burn, you’ve found it. You’ll work your body head-to-toe and hammer your heart rate in this high-intensity 45-minute session you can do right in your living room. Smoke your shoulders and blast your biceps and triceps with this simple and effective 20-minute upper-body workout. Use it as a stand-alone session or pair it with a core or cardio workout for a total-body effect.

If you have any steps or stairs in your house, you can incorporate them into your bodyweight cardio routine. If you want to modify this exercise, remove the jumping motion and step your feet out to either side, one by one. Consistency creates the physiological adaptations needed for fitness improvement while establishing behavioral patterns that support long-term adherence.

Finish off with Dodge and Punch and Front Kicks, each lasting 30 seconds, mimicking dodging movements and powerful leg kicks. For each exercise, there are alternative exercises provided in case you need modifications. Complete the sequence for 2-3 rounds to get a full workout, targeting your arms, core, and legs. Start with step-ups, an effective way to activate your leg muscles; if you don’t have a step, you can use a low platform.

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. This breakfast recipe is easy to make ahead for busy weekday mornings.