Nearly seven in ten Americans think that gyms aren’t necessary for working out and keeping fit, according to a study by the New York Post. Especially in the time of 2020 and a pandemic, at-home fitness is more popular and more important than ever before.
You might think that keeping fit is harder without all the fancy equipment that comes with going to the gym. Luckily, that isn’t the truth. Finding cardio exercises without equipment that work for you and your space doesn’t have to be complicated. Read on for five of the best cardio exercises you can do with no equipment.
1. Squat Thrusts
This exercise is sure to get your blood pumping. Start by standing with your feet hip-width apart and your hands down at your sides. Engage your core, and bend down placing your hands on the floor.
Hop your feet back to lightly land in a high plank position, with your hips level and your wrists underneath your shoulders. Hop forward and quickly return to a standing position. Repeat this using quick movements. If you need to modify it at first, place your feet back one at a time instead of hopping them both back.
2. Pike Ups
Pike ups are a fast-moving exercise that will engage many different muscles in your body. Start in a high plank position, with your wrists underneath your shoulders and your hips level.
Hop forward so your hips go straight up and your body makes a reverse V-shape. Then hop back into a high plank position, and repeat.
3. Lunge Jumps
These are great for toning the lower body. Begin by standing with your feet together. Step your left leg back and lower into a lunge, making sure both knees are bending at a 90-degree angle, your back knee hovering above the floor.
Push through the heel of the front leg to jump up, and switch your feet in the air to bring the right leg back. Land lightly in a lunge position with your right leg back and your left leg front.Repeat and continue altering your legs.
4. Mountain Climbers
This is a great exercise to get your core engaged, especially when you’re just beginning to learn about different cardio exercises. Start in the plank position, with your wrists under your shoulders and your hips level. Tighten your core and flatten your back.
Bring your right knee in towards your chest, and then extend your leg and place it back down. Then, bend your left leg in towards your chest, and then extend and place that back down. Resume with fast movements and alternate legs.
5. Skater Jumps
Skater jumps are a fun way to get your legs tight and toned. Begin by standing with your feet hip-width apart. Step off of your left foot and jump to your right, landing with your right knee bent and hips tilted back, bending your left foot behind your right knee.
Then step off of your right foot and jump to your left, landing with your left knee bent and your right foot behind your left. Continue at a high speed and alternate back and forth.
Cardio Exercises Without Equipment for You
When just starting out with new exercise routines, it may seem difficult to figure out what works for you. These five cardio exercises without equipment are a great starting point because anyone can do them from anywhere, even if you don’t have any previous training.
If you’re just beginning, start off slowly and take it at your own pace. You’ll soon realize that even doing just a little bit each day, you’ll get stronger and gain more energy. If you’re looking for extra lifestyle and health tips, check out more of our articles.
