You don't need expensive home workout equipment or a gym membership to get an effective cardio workout. Heart disease may be prevented by engaging in regular cardiovascular workouts, according to the Mayo Clinic. In addition to heart health, cardio exercise helps with weight loss and maintenance, enhances the mood and boosts energy. A variety of cardio exercises may be performed in the home. Choose to work out to DVDs or music, or create your own cardio workout routine to raise the heart level and keep it elevated for between 30 and 45 minutes.
Step Aerobics
Climb stairs or exercise on a step for an effective, fat-burning and heart-pumping workout, suggests Shape Fit. Using stairs in the home, climb up and down, or merely step up and then step down on an aerobic step bench.
When stair climbing or stepping, place the right foot firmly on the raised step, and then raise the left foot, keeping both feet on the step before lowering the right foot to the floor, followed by the left foot. Put on some music, and step or climb for 15 minutes to start, working your way up to 30 minutes.
Jumping Jacks
Jumping jacks are an effective all-around body exercise that also gets the heart pumping. Create a routine that incorporates activities like jumping jacks to get the heart rate elevated and burn calories.
Stand with the feet together, arms down by your sides, suggests EXRX.net. Jump upward, spreading legs out to the sides slightly wider than shoulder distance apart, while swinging the hands up and over the head, touching the hands as the feet land. Then jump back to the starting position. Try to do 20 to 50 jumping jacks to start.
Jumping Rope
You can jump rope whether you have one or not. If you don't, just pretend. Start by standing with the feet about shoulder distance apart, suggests Fitness Trainer To Go. Keeping the elbows tucked close to the waist, start jumping in place, landing on your toes while turning the arms as if you're twirling an imaginary jump rope. Continue to jump rope for either a predetermined amount of time or until you reach 20, 50 or 100.
Shadow Boxing Uppercuts
Shadow boxing provides an intensive and effective workout for upper body strength and waist slimming, in addition to accelerating the heart rate. Start by standing with your feet shoulder distance apart, left foot slightly ahead of the right. Bend the arms at the elbow and make fists. Pivot the hips slightly, turning toward the left, and throw an uppercut with your right arm. Do an uppercut by punching upward with the right hand, stopping at chin level, suggests Fitness Trainers To Go. Now repeat to the other side with the left hand. Quickly rotate between right and left uppercuts for about three minutes, or until you've completed 10 uppercuts to each side. You can add wrist weights or dumbbells for added resistance, or increase number of repetitions if you choose.
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