The thought of heading to the gym and sweating it out on an elliptical machine or treadmill can be quite intimidating, especially when it’s cold outside and you have nowhere to go but your living room. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to get in your cardio fix without having to brave frigid temperatures, traffic jams, and gas station bathrooms – if you know where to look! Try one of these 10 ways to get a full body cardio workout at home – no excuses!
1) The Treadmill
Treadmill work is one of the best ways to get an effective full body cardio workout without having to leave home. The only real downside is that treadmills are not cheap, but if you’re serious about getting in shape then it’s worth the investment.
2) The Elliptical
The elliptical is one of the most popular pieces of fitness equipment. This is because it provides an intense, full-body workout that’s low impact and easy on the joints. But what if you don’t have room for it in your home? The good news is that there are plenty of ways to get your cardio fix with this machine, even if you have limited space.
3) The Rowing Machine
A rowing machine is one of the best tools for getting your heart rate up. You can also do interval training on it, which will help you burn more calories in less time. To start out with an intense workout, try 15 minutes with five minutes of high-intensity intervals (alternating between sprints and walking) followed by 10 minutes of low intensity intervals (walking). As you get stronger, increase the high-intensity intervals to six or seven minutes and the low-intensity intervals to 12 or 13 minutes.
4) The Exercise Bike
The exercise bike is one of the most under-used pieces of equipment in the gym. It can be used for both cardio and resistance training, making it an excellent option for your full body workout. Plus, you can set it up so it’s convenient, allowing you to watch TV or read while getting in a great workout.
5) The Stair Climber
The stair climber is the perfect cardio machine for the home gym. It’s easy to set up and use, doesn’t take up much space, and you don’t need any equipment other than your own body weight. This one is great if you want an upper body workout as well as cardio. The best part about this workout is that it also helps improve your overall balance and coordination.
6) The Jump Rope
I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but jump ropes are really popular these days. In fact, you can find some pretty awesome jump rope workouts on YouTube. But don’t have time for that? The good news is you don’t need fancy equipment or even a gym membership for this full body cardio workout because all you need is a small space and your trusty jump rope.
7) The Punching Bag
One of the biggest reasons why many people shy away from cardio is because they don’t want to spend money on an expensive gym membership or buy bulky workout equipment. However, there are plenty of exercises you can do at home that provide an awesome full body cardio workout. For example, punching a bag will not only tone your shoulders and arms but also works your core, legs, back and abs. You’ll be sweating in no time!
8) The Skipping Rope
Skipping is one of the best ways to get a full body workout and it’s pretty affordable too. You can find one for about $6 or less on Amazon. It will only take you about 15 minutes to work up a sweat, so why not give it a try? If you’re not sure how to do it, there are plenty of instructional videos on YouTube. Just type in skipping rope and you’ll see what I mean.
9) The resistance Band
Many people believe that they need expensive equipment in order to get the most out of their workout. But with the right tools, you can get a full-body cardio workout without ever leaving your home. The resistance band is versatile and inexpensive, so it won’t cost you a lot of money or take up too much space in your house. With this in mind, here are some ways that you can use resistance bands for an effective workout
10) The Balance Ball
One of the best ways to work your upper and lower body is with the use of a balance ball. Balancing on an unstable surface while working your muscles helps engage more muscle fibers and causes you to burn more calories. You can also use this piece of equipment for core strengthening exercises. Sit on the ball, then lie back and raise your legs until they are fully extended in front of you. Do not let go of your abdominal muscles or raise your butt off the ball during this exercise.