Best at-home cardio for weight loss?

[FJD118]

I am looking for Cardio options at home, that do not involve a bike, ellyptical, treadmill etc. I don't want to have to go out and buy a bunch of work out videos. Is there a simple, inexpensive cardio option for at-home? I have tried going for walks with my son, but he is only 5 and gets bored and we barely make it a quarter mile before we have to go back. Any help/advice is much appreciated! 

[Del678]

Gardening is a great way to work muscles and burn calories, but not necessarily "aerobic".

Maybe take your son to a playground park, then you can jog around it while he plays.

Any other mums/dads in your area where the kids could play while you two walk around chatting?

[Aemylue]

I think that walking is one of the best cardio exercises.  Although people don't think it is, your heart rate wll go up when you walk.  You can walk slow or fast, father or closer.  You can do it in all weather and with youkids

[gerrymcd]

If you don't have downstairs neighbors skipping with a rope is a big calorie burner.    You can also get a fairly good cardio workout using rubber fitness bands -- they are fairly cheap to buy (a few dollars each)-- combined with some videos from youtube.  

All in all, you will need to think 'old school' - something like one or two minutes each of skipping rope, jumping jacks, pushups, lunges, squats, stepups onto a box, holding a plank, etc. etc.   30 minutes of that kind of stuff will have your heart rate up there, and burn probably 300 calories. 

[Weissale]

Seems like you don't want to do regular cardio.

May be do zumba or dancing...

[RAC]

walking is great but think about getting your heart rate up. May seem weird but do some burpies before you go for your walk.

[Weissale]

Walking with conditioning weighted vest will do the trick - whenever I want to increase my heart rate - I put on the vest (40lbs) now and my heart rate gets to 140 pretty quickly, while without its about 115.

I also think that jogging is good - barefoot (or minimal shoes) - using front strike is good for heart rate.

[FJD118]

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@Weissale wrote:

Seems like you don't want to do regular cardio.

May be do zumba or dancing...

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Well, as I said- I have tried walking after work, but I have to take my son with me, not really able to do that if he is unwilling to go. I also do not have any cardio machines at home (Bike, Elliptical, treadmill, etc) and am not in a place financially where I can afford one. I do not know what you mean when you say "don't want to do regular cardio" but I am looking for HELPFUL alternatives to going for a walk/jog and going to the gym which I cannot do with a 5 year old in tow.

[midnight0300 · Accepted solution]

How about the 7 minute workout?  It has 12 moves that you do in the 7 minute time frame.  It is VERY intense.  I have an app for my phone but you can find the same timer on-line.  There are youtube videos too. On those busy days, I can do this quickly.  I'll put a link below that has videos of each of the different exercises.  That helped me.  

 7-minute workout

[runnergirl318 · Accepted solution]

Look up Max Capacity Training.  I have the iphone app (free) and its available online.  All body weight resistance exercises.  No equipment necessary.   3 times a week.  16 minutes.  Can be challenging but you go at your own pace. 

[FJD118]

Thanks runnergirl and midnight! I will definitely look into both of those apps. 

[DWudz]

Well...I've been doing T25 for about three weeks now and it's phenomenal!

[roobarb]

Blender Fitness channel on You Tube....many, many workouts and there free!

[dancefoxtrot]

Hi there,

Cardio at home can be just 1 dvd or video and thrift stores have them for a couple bucks. . It can be just dancing to your favorite upbeat music. Or call a friend and walk while you talk. I do that with my sister sometimes. 

Find a way to get healthier. 

All the best,

Barbara 

[ErinScott]

I second fitness blender! Their videos are great, and are for a variety of levels, easy to hard. They have strength training ones, cardio,  and even low impact stuff. Many of them don't require you to have equipment, which is useful. They are also free on YouTube so that's a plus. 🙂

[higginsdj]

Are there any hills nearby?  Walk briskly up a hill will certainly get your heart rate up, recover on the way down and repeat.

Cheers

David

[workoutgal]

I have ordered a mini-trampoline or rebounder which is coming this week(I can't wait).  You or your son could do it and really burn some calories.  Fun exercising!!!!  All prices available- Costco has a special that ends today for one that is $249!  I have an upstairs in my house so I walk the stairs 10xs for cardio.  Hungrygirl (free email) says to house walk- walk every where in your house (corners and all) to get steps in in cold weather.  I wear a 20lb vest also to get the calorie burn up sometimes when I walk!  Love the suggestions in the this group!

[bstngirl]

It's such a challenge to workout when you have a toddler! I have a 2 yr old we have "dance parties" to get a good workout in. She and I both enjoy it a lot. I also do Leslie Sansone DVDs which are low impact walking, but I add 5 and 10 lb free weights to intensify the workout. I'd say finding a decent cardio based video is a good affordable option? There's also lots of good YouTube workouts too

[runningexpat]

I think some people have already mentioned fitness blender, which is brill.  Also, the daily hiit is good.  Their website can be a bit clunky but there are lots of challenges that are fun to do.  I also like Jessica Smith TV on you tube.  She does all sorts of things, hiit, regualr aerobics, low impact, walking, ballet barre, etc.