Not everyone has the time or even the money to get to a gym on a regular basis. But home exercise equipment can also cost a pretty penny. If you're looking to create a home exercise regimen that won't cost you a dime, you can find plenty of exercises that will raise your heart rate without raising concerns about your budget. All you need is a bit of room to spread out and get your exercise on.
Mountain Climber
The mountain climber exercise combines the benefits of cardiovascular exercise with the challenge of strengthening your leg muscles. Ccrouch down so your feet are directly under your buttocks. Spread your hands out as you would for doing push--ups -- about shoulder width apart. Kick one leg back behind you so your leg is fully extended as it would be for a push-up, with your toes on the floor. Shift your weight to your hands and quickly switch the position of your legs, bringing one leg up and pushing the other one back. Quickly repeat this process, doing as many mountain climbers as you can within a 15- to 30-second period, then rest.
Burpees
Burpees are a surefire way to get your heart racing, and don't require any type of fancy exercise equipment. Start by standing straight up, with your feet shoulder width apart. Jump as high as you can, raising your hands in the air. As soon as you land, crouch down to the ground and place your hands on the floor in the standard push-up position. Kick your legs out behind you until you are in a full push-up position. Quickly kick your legs back under you so you are crouching again, then jump up in the air as high as you can. Do as many burpees as you can in 30 seconds.
Squats
Squats are an easy exercise that help strengthen your leg muscles without having to hop on a complicated exercise machine or keep a set of barbells in your house. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and your hands at your sides. Slowly bend your knees, keeping your back straight. Extend your hands out in front of you to balance. Bend your knees until your upper legs are parallel to the floor. Hold for five seconds, then slowly stand back up. Do 10 to 15 lunges as part of your at-home exercise routine. To make it harder, you can hold onto a weighted object with each hand, such as canned goods or heavy books.
Lunge With Twist
The lunge with a twist works out your legs and arms, and only requires an open space in your house to perform it in. Start at one end of a room with your legs close together and your hands at your sides. Step forward with your right foot and bend at the knee. Lower your body to the floor until your left knee is almost touching the floor. Twist your upper body all the way to the left, then back to the front. Stand up and bring your left foot forward so your feet are together again. Repeat the process, this time switching legs and the direction of your twist. Do 10 to 15 lunges with each leg.
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