Want to get your heart rate pumping without physically going very far? Maybe
you’d like to complete a cardio workout with minimal equipment too. If that’s the
case, you’ll love skipping rope. There’s a reason that world-class athletes
include jump rope in their training routines: it’s effective. Work on keeping
good form with your arms tucked in and your core tight and you should start to
feel it within a few minutes.
If you’re a naturally game-oriented person and running is just a little too
boring for you, throw on your
If the impact of running is what keeps you off the track or treadmill, try
rowing out for size. The rowing machine tests your cardio endurance along with
your strength while offering minimal impact. Focus on your stroke rate, aiming
to stay above 20 or follow a structured pyramid for a complete workout. It
might not seem like a challenge at first, but once you get a few minutes into a
rowing workout, you’ll definitely feel the burn.
Cycling is another low-impact cardio workout that can be as challenging as you
decide to make it. If you’re cycling inside, you likely have a ton of control
over the workout by changing the resistance on the machine. If you bike
outdoors, however, you have the opportunity to see some natural sights in
addition to the transportation benefit of a bike. Whether you’re training for
endurance or peak performance, you can’t go wrong with cycling.
There’s a reason boxers and other fighters always look like they’re in great
shape—it’s because punching is hard work. A few hits on the punching bag and it
becomes clear that it’s anything but a cakewalk. There are countless “fit
boxing” gyms you can join or you can simply keep a punching bag in the corner
of your garage. Take out any stress and get a good cardio workout in with a
punching bag.
