The heart is the most important muscle in the body; when it’s strong, the body gets strong. While being stuck inside the house can feel like a bummer, it doesn’t mean you have to stop working out. It is still just as important to spend time taking care of yourself even though the gyms are closed. Sitting on the couch and binging Netflix can be very enticing, but at-home workouts can be a fun way to get keep toned. And, if running isn’t your ideal form of working out, there are so many cardio alternatives to pick from so that you can incorporate cardio in your routine. Here are a few workouts that’ll get your body moving and the calorie burning.
Cardio is a constant exercise that keeps the heart pumping; if you’re working through breathlessness, it means you’re hitting that cardio stride. Mixing arm, leg and ab workouts at intervals can be an easy way to combine strength and cardio training.
Circuit training with different styles of cardio can be a fun and easy way to incorporate cardio into your daily routine. Below are some classic workouts that you can incorporate into a circuit. To start, pick three of your favorite workouts from the list and do them in intervals of one minute of active movement to 30 seconds of rest. Alternate between your three exercises for 10 minutes and feel the burn!
Classic cardio workouts:
- Jumping jacks
- Crunches
- Jump squats
- Lunges
- Burpees
- Assisted push-ups
- Running in place
- Boxing
- Swimming
If doing a classic workout isn’t idea for you, another fun cardio alternative is dancing. Mixing dance and choreography keeps the heart pumping and gives you a dance to perform after quarantine. Gainesville Health and Fitness and Peloton are offering online dance classes to do at home, and online resources are available through Youtube.
Regardless of the style of cardio workout, it’s important to stretch afterward to release the lactic acid that’s been built up in your muscles. And, remember to have fun! Cardio can include so many things, so switching it up will be a great way to keep yourself interested in working out.
By Anastasia Sims
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