Cardio exercise is important for many reasons. You probably already know this. Along with promoting greater physical health, cardio reduces stress and guards against mental health issues.
That said, you may not be able to justify paying for a gym membership at this time. Additionally, if you have a busy lifestyle, you simply might not have time to go to the gym on a regular basis.
Don’t worry if this is the case! There are plenty of cardio exercises you can perform in your own home with just a pair of comfortable shoes on your feet. The following are some of the more noteworthy:
Jumping Jacks
Don’t overlook the basics when considering what type of cardio you can perform without heading to the gym. Jumping jacks, common in American physical education classes, can burn up to 100 calories in as little as 10 minutes when performed consistently.
That said, you may not want to do jumping jacks if you have joint problems, as this form of exercise is relatively high impact. You might thus be better off choosing a different exercise from this list when performing cardio at home.
Jogging in Place
Jogging is of course one of the most popular forms of cardio due to its simplicity. Aside from a good pair of running shoes and the right clothes, you don’t need any special equipment to jog.
That said, you do need access to a track or neighborhood that’s runner-friendly. Unfortunately, not all neighborhoods layouts are ideal for jogging.
If you live in such a neighborhood, you may want to jog in place instead. A 125-pound person can burn up to 60 calories simply by jogging in place for 10 minutes. 
Mountain Climbers
Performing mountain climbers is a very simple process. All you have to do is get into a push-up position, with your hands about shoulder-width apart. Keep your abdominal muscles engaged throughout the exercise. Pull your right knee up to your chest as close as you can, then pull it back while pulling the left knee in. Run your knees towards and away from your chest as quickly as you can, maintaining the alternating pattern.
Bear Crawls
Bear crawls are also relatively simple. To perform them, squat down to the floor, and walk your hands forward until you’re in a push-up position. Perform the push-up, then walk your hands back until you’re in a standing position. Along with improving your cardiovascular health, this form of exercise will also help you build strength.
Burpees
Do you want to potentially burn more than 100 calories in 10 minutes? If so, add burpees to your routine. To perform them, squat down to the floor, then jump your feet back to assume a plank position. Jump back in, then stand up. Just keep in mind, burpees can be fairly intense. You may want to work up to them if you aren’t accustomed to intense cardio just yet.
As these examples illustrate, you don’t need a gym membership to get in your daily cardio. All you need is a pair of shoes and a small room.
Don’t neglect the importance of cardio! Quite simply, when you perform cardio on a regular basis, you’re much more likely to live a happy, healthy life.
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