Snow has blanketed much of the country for the last few weeks, making it very difficult to get out of the house and get to the gym. Those that depend entirely on the gym for their exercise are going to suffer, but thankfully you can get a great workout without ever having to leave your home.
How is this possible?
Simple: you don't just have to run, cycle, or use the elliptical machine to get a great cardio workout! Weightlifting can be an excellent cardio workout when done right, and you'll find that a lot of body-weight workouts are great for building muscle as well as getting your heart beating. Running isn't the only awesome workout, but you can do all kinds of exercises to push your heart.
With the workouts below, you'll have a great cardio session without having to brave the cold.
Day 1
Do each of the following exercises for 20 seconds at full intensity, and rest for 10 seconds.
Day 2
Do the following:
Day 3
Do the following:
Day 4
Do the following:
Day 5
Do the following:
This workout just spans five days, but you can use the exercises from the various workouts if you want to work out a sixth day. You'll find that this workout will be surprisingly good for your heart as well as your muscles.
The reason that it's so great is that you never stop moving, so all of the muscles in your body will be worked before you take a break. Your heart will be forced to pump hard in order to provide all of the different muscles with enough energy, so it will work until you take your 60 second break.
Doing rounds ensures that your muscles are stressed properly, and you can even build muscle using these body-weight/weighted exercises. You can use a few simple free weights, or you can find body-weight exercises to replace the kettlebell exercise in Day 1. The most important thing is that you push hard!
How is this possible?
Simple: you don't just have to run, cycle, or use the elliptical machine to get a great cardio workout! Weightlifting can be an excellent cardio workout when done right, and you'll find that a lot of body-weight workouts are great for building muscle as well as getting your heart beating. Running isn't the only awesome workout, but you can do all kinds of exercises to push your heart.
With the workouts below, you'll have a great cardio session without having to brave the cold.
Day 1
Do each of the following exercises for 20 seconds at full intensity, and rest for 10 seconds.
- Kettlebell swings
- Squat jumps
- High knees
- Jump Lunge
Day 2
Do the following:
- 10 push-ups
- 30 bicycle crunches
- 10 burpees
- 60 seconds of plank
- 10 lunges (each leg)
Day 3
Do the following:
- 30 seconds of right side plank
- 30 seconds of left side plank
- 30 seconds of plank elbow hold
- 10 lunges (each leg)
- 10 burpees
Day 4
Do the following:
- 20 burpees
- 20 mountain climbers
- 10 push-ups
- 10 lunges (each leg)
- 60 seconds in plank position
Day 5
Do the following:
- 10 lunges (each leg)
- 60 seconds in plank position
- 30 crunches
- 10 push ups
- 30 bicycle crunches
This workout just spans five days, but you can use the exercises from the various workouts if you want to work out a sixth day. You'll find that this workout will be surprisingly good for your heart as well as your muscles.
The reason that it's so great is that you never stop moving, so all of the muscles in your body will be worked before you take a break. Your heart will be forced to pump hard in order to provide all of the different muscles with enough energy, so it will work until you take your 60 second break.
Doing rounds ensures that your muscles are stressed properly, and you can even build muscle using these body-weight/weighted exercises. You can use a few simple free weights, or you can find body-weight exercises to replace the kettlebell exercise in Day 1. The most important thing is that you push hard!
4 Exercises that are a Complete Waste of Time
Some people get lucky and are born with fit, toned bodies. Andy Peloquin is not one of those people... Fitness has come hard for him, and he's had to work for it. His trials have led him to becoming a martial artist, an NFPT-certified fitness trainer, and a man passionate about exercise, diet and healthy living. He loves to exercise--he does so six days a week--and loves to share his passion for fitness and health with others.
