Cardiovascular exercise is an important element in the overall health and weight-loss picture. To lose weight, you must burn more calories than you consume and to avoid disease, you must keep your heart and lungs functioning efficiently. Performing regular cardio exercise accomplishes both of these goals. Joining a gym or recreation center is a good way to stay motivated and get your exercise, but you can also do cardio routines at home and receive the same benefits.
Cardio Equipment
Using home cardio equipment is an effective but often costly way to get a good workout at home. If you have a machine such as a treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike or stair climber in your home you can work out in any weather at any time of the day. While machines can be expensive, stores have payment plans if you are interested in this option. Most decent home exercise machines are equipped with consoles with preprogrammed workouts for you to follow. One drawback of home cardio equipment is the discipline you need to show to maintain regular workouts, which is likely why so many machines end up as expensive clothes hangers.
DVD Workouts
Back in the 1980s, the home fitness craze started with videotapes for users to follow. Jane Fonda helped exercisers get in shape with aerobic routines. Today, DVDs have taken over from tapes, and the selection of workouts you can follow along to is massive. If you have space to move a few steps in each direction, you can work out to step aerobics, kickboxing, rope jumping, power yoga or any number of routines and programs. If you enjoy this type of exercise, create a library of different types of home workouts so you don't get bored.
Circuit Training
Circuit training refers to choosing up to 10 exercises and performing them one after another, with very little or no rest in between. The exercises can be calisthenics such as jumping jacks, resistance training like biceps curls or a combination of the two. Whichever you choose, the fast pace of the workout and different movements raise your heart rate to provide an effective cardio workout. Set up your station ahead of time so you don't have to waste time getting anything ready during the circuit. You can set up a circuit in your basement, home workout room or even in your backyard.
Considerations
It is advisable to consult with your doctor before you begin a home cardio program. You will likely be working out alone a lot of the time and you want to be certain that you are in good enough shape to avoid problems.
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