Whether you’re stuck inside due to unpleasant weather or a global pandemic, you know that it’s no excuse to abandon your workout routine. On the contrary! You probably need more exercise than you did before you were confined to the house, since you’re presumably not doing as much moving in general. But what is the best indoor cardio to do when you don’t have access to a gym or park? Here are some of our top indoor cardio workout ideas to get you started.
- Jumping Rope — Flashback to your days of jumping rope at recess. Actually, you can get a serious workout from this oft-overlooked piece of playground equipment. There are tons of great jump rope routines available on YouTube to help you get started.
- Tabata Training — If you want to get the most bang for your buck, you may need to dial up the intensity. But which cardio burns the most fat? Tabata training — a high-intensity workout involving eight sets of fast-paced exercises performed for 20 seconds each — is a great option. It’s said to burn as much as 450 calories per half hour! Is 30 minutes of cardio enough? The U.S. Department of Health says yes, as long as you do it seven times per day.
- Stationary Cycling — And no, you don’t need one of those thousand-dollar bikes to kick your cardio game into high gear (literally). Rock your Armpocket armband while you cycle so you’re able to easily track your progress and still have access to your favorite apps and playlists.
- Dancing — In our opinion, there’s no indoor cardio quite as fun as dancing. Whether it be the Latin-inspired Zumba cardio routine or a fast-paced hip-hop tutorial on YouTube, dancing is one of the best ways to burn calories without your workout feeling tedious or boring.
- Basic Exercises — Who says you need a bunch of bulky, expensive gear to get a good fat-burning routine going? A mix of basic cardio exercises can help you burn just as many calories without the high cost or effort involved with new gear. Some of the best cardio exercises that don’t require equipment are jumping jacks, high knees, butt kicks, stationary sprinters, burpees and power planks.
- Cardio Videos — Never underestimate the power of YouTube! The exercise pros on the platform have put together so many amazing cardio video programs to help you burn calories indoors from home. The great thing about this is that there are so many different options, from fun dance challenges to toning cardio routines, to suit your fitness level and goals.
Remember, if you’re working out inside for long periods of time, it helps if you mix up your routine to prevent it from getting stale. If you’re bored with your workout, you’re more likely to skip it and get off track. Be sure to try all these great indoor cardio workouts, and mix and match throughout the week to keep it fresh.
