Best cardio workouts at home to include in your routine

Cardio workouts at home come to the rescue if you live in a place where the weather won't let you step out for a walk, or simply on those days you don't feel like going for a run outside.

Doing cardio exercises regularly is crucial to health. If you want to keep your heart healthy and shed a few pounds, you must include some form of cardio workout in your routine. Even if you don't have much room or equipment, you can still perform an efficient cardio workout in the comfort of your own home.

So, what is cardio exercise, and how does it help? Simply put, cardiovascular exercise is any activity that raises the heart rate. This broad definition allows for a wide variety of activities beyond just jogging and brisk walking.

Here, we will discuss some common cardio workouts at home that you can do to stay fit.

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Cardio workouts at home

Exercise is important, as it helps keep the body fit and healthy. (Image via Pexels/Nathan Cowley)

Below we discuss some easy cardio workouts at home in detail:

1) Squat jump

Jump squats are important, as they work out the major muscles in the lower body (Image via Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio)

This is one of the best cardio workouts at home that help work out the lower body. You can perform them at the end of your regular cardio workout to give yourself a boost or do them several times throughout your workout to increase the intensity and variety.

Instructions:

• Put your feet hip-distance apart to start, and brace yourself.
• Squat down as low as possible, and see if you can touch the floor. Avoid putting unnecessary stress on the knees by remembering to push the hips back.
• Try to reach the highest possible height in your jump, and sweep your arms overhead.
• Squat for 30-60 seconds, landing softly on the knees each time.

2) Toe tap

Running is a good way to boost metabolism. (Image via Pexels/Pixabay)

This is one of the best cardio workouts at home that's often included in a beginner cardio workout.

When you need to ramp up the intensity or work on your agility, toe taps are your best bet. If you've never done this before, it's best to start slowly and build up to the jump if you want to pull it off. You should stop doing this exercise immediately if it causes you any pain or discomfort.

Instructions:

• Do it with or without a step by tapping to a BOSU or the stair's lowest rung.
• Face a ledge or platform, and stand there.
• Jump up so that your right toe touches the step. Quickly switch your feet so that your left toe touches the step as you land.
• For the next 30-60 seconds, keep alternating tapping your toes as quickly and safely as you can.

3) Long jump

Including long jumps in your workouts is a simple way to increase intensity and challenge. One of the best cardio workouts at home, a long jump is accomplished by leaping forward as far as possible and touching the ground with both feet. This exercise puts a strain on the heart and abdominal muscles.

Instructions:

• Keep your feet together, and give yourself a lot of room in front of you.
• Squat down, and launch yourself forward as far as possible.
• Kneel when you land to avoid damaging the knee joints.
• Once more, skip ahead till you've moved the length of the room. Turn around, and go the other way.
• Do that again after 30-60 seconds.

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4) Plyo jack

Include variety in your workout to not become bored. (Image via Pexels/Julia Larson)

Plyo jacks, also known as plyometric jumping jacks, are one of the better cardio workouts at home, that work out the hips, glutes, and thighs.

Essentially, plyo jacks are just slow jumping jacks. You begin by jumping up as you would for a jumping jack but pause and squat deeply. After bringing your feet together again through a jumping motion, you will find yourself in a low squat position.

Instructions:

• Start with your feet together, and squat down while bringing your arms in front of you.
• Jump your feet apart, and land in a squat while circling your arms above your head.
• Repeat the previous jump, this time bringing your feet together and bringing the arms down in a circling motion.

5) Jogging

Jogging is part of a good cardio to lose weight. It can be part of your cardio workouts at home if you jog in place. As there's no forward motion or wind resistance, the workout isn't as challenging as jogging outside.

Instructions:

• Lift your knees, and move your arms in a marching motion while remaining stationary.
• Learn the basics of running by starting with a slow, light jog while keeping your feet flat on the ground.
• When you jog, try getting your heels a little closer to your buttocks.
• As you pick up the pace of your jog, pump your arms overhead, and/or lift your knees off the ground.
• Continue for 30 seconds or for as long as you can. This move is great for a cardio circuit or on its own.

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Performing cardio exercises at home is not as difficult as strength training at home. Cardio workouts at home are pretty easy to master and can be done without expert guidance. However, take care to understand the exercise properly, and watch a video of it to perfect the form.