Cardio routines are a necessary part of a healthy lifestyle. One thing that is not necessary for a healthy lifestyle is to purchase fancy equipment or gym memberships. While a treadmill or a gym filled with treadmills may seem like it makes working out easier or better, it's not necessarily true. For some, working out at home is the better option.
Jump Rope
Jumping rope is not an easy task, but that is what makes it an effective workout. It requires the use of many muscles, as well as the cardio system. Rope Sport lists the several added benefits of jumping rope for your cardio routine. Most notably, it is portable, which means you can do it at home, the park or at your workout partner's house. It is easy to learn and inexpensive, which offers an alternative to the many high-priced workout gadgets and programs. The versatility of jumps and routines build even more muscle and coordination. It also keeps things fun. For a varied routine, switch between jumping styles: jump on one foot, alternate between your jump foot, or hop with both feet.
Aerobic Step
Even if you avoid the step aerobics class at the gym, you should at least consider it as a viable at-home workout. Stackable steppers as found in step aerobic classes can provide a variety of workouts. You can create your own routine with step-ups, side steps, rotations and combination moves. There are many aerobic step DVDs to guide you through a workout. As you progress, you can add height to the step to increase your intensity to burn more calories and increase muscle mass. The American Council on Exercise advises against repeating a single move more than five times consecutively and to alternate the lead foot at least every minute. It is not recommended to use weights, since it does not seem to increase energy expenditure, but it may increase your chance of injury.
Bike
Home exercise regimens can also provide an opportunity to explore your neighborhood. Ride a bike to explore what's going on in town and burn calories at the same time. You may be fortunate to find out where there will be local garage sales or find out more about where your kids are hanging out. To enhance your workout and burn more calories, increase the intensity. To do so, increase your speed or the peddle resistance. This will make you work harder. For an added challenge, find hills to ride up.
Jumping Jacks
Jumping jacks are an effective at-home workout because they are easy to do, they require little space, and you do not need equipment. CNN even suggests doing jumping jacks during commercial breaks to burn extra calories. While it will take more then a few commercials to burn a lot of calories, you can make a cardio routine by doing them steadily for at least 30 minutes a day. You can even break the 30 minutes a day into three 10 minute sessions. To do Jumping Jacks, start from a standing position with your legs together, then jump. While in the air, bring your arms up over your head and your legs into a split stance, landing with your legs more than shoulder width apart. Clap your hands together as you land. Then jump back to the starting position with your legs together and hands by your side. For a test of coordination, try jumping into a split position with one foot forward and one foot back rather then out to the side. Still bring your hands up over your head to clap. As you progress, try to do a power jumping jack by doing the split and clap in the air. Then land in the starting position. During all of the jumping jacks, keep your knees slightly bent and your back straight with your abs contracted.
Member Comments