Joining a gym can be expensive, and if the weather is poor, you may want to stay indoors for the cardiovascular portion of your workout. There are several different exercises you can do for an effective cardio workout without leaving the comfort of your home.
Types
Cardio can be broken down into an activity that is performed at a steady pace over a longer period of time or a shorter workout with amplified intensity, according to the Shapefit website. Slower cardio is performed for about 50 minutes and works to shed fat. A shorter cardio workout aims to raise your metabolism and burn calories. Focus on explosiveness in the muscles during shorter cardio workouts.
Stationary Bike
Many companies sell stationary bicycles, which often feature different resistance settings to help challenge your fitness level. You can ride for 45 minutes at a slow pace, or you can try interval training. A sample interval training workout forces you to pedal hard for two minutes and rest for 30 seconds. To make it more difficult, make the rest period shorter, according to BodyBuilding.com.
Jogging
A treadmill offers a running cardio workout with movements similar to outdoor jogging. If you do not want to spend the money on an expensive treadmill, try jogging in place. Stand straight up and jog without advancing forward. The Fitday website points out that this exercise does not require great flexibility or training, and it is safe. You only need space to perform it.
Jumping Rope
Shapefit points out that jumping rope is an effective workout for your whole body and for improving cardiovascular fitness. You can buy a jump rope for $12. Lacey Stone, a fitness trainer and writer for "Fitness Magazine's" website, created a cardio workout with jump rope exercises. One of these exercises is called the Foot-Fire combo. Lay the rope down between your legs. Bend arms at the elbows and place your elbows next to your lower abdominals. Make sure your palms are facing the opposite side of the room. Alternate feet like you're running through a set of tires. Do this as quickly as possible.
Member Comments