Apartment dwellers with limited space can still get a heart-pumping workout in at home. There are a number of effective cardio moves you can do in an apartment of any size, no equipment necessary. Check out some of these easy apartment cardio workouts you can do in any space.
Jumping Jacks
It’s a basic move, but it works. To get the maximum benefit from your jumping jacks, stand with your feet together, then jump up and land with your feet shoulder-width apart. At the same time, raise your hands out at your sides, then reach over your head in a fluid motion. Clap your hands before bringing them back down to your side. Move your legs and arms simultaneously to complete your jumping jacks. Don’t cut corners on this one if you want results.
High Knees
Running in place is another basic move you can do at home. To maximize your running in place moves, try incorporating high knees. As you’re running, bring your knees up towards your stomach. This will increase the intensity of your workout while helping your muscles build strength.
Mountain Climbers
Remember going mountain climbers gym class? Your gym teacher was on to something. Mountain climbers provide a full-body workout while burning a ton of calories. To do it the exercise properly, begin in a plank position. Your hands should be slighter wider than your shoulders. Bring one knee inwards towards your chest, then switch and bring the opposite knee inwards. Keep alternating between knees at a fast pace.
Quiet Burpees
Quiet burpees are a popular choice for apartment dwellers. Not only are they easy to do in a small space; they aren’t nearly as noisy as traditional burpees, so you won’t have to worry about waking up your neighbors during your early morning routine. To perform quiet burpees, begin in a standing position with your feet shoulder-width apart. Next, bring yourself to the ground in a traditional plank position. Complete one push-up, then pull yourself back up into a standing position. Reach your arms over your head to complete one repetition. Start with 3 reps of 10 repetitions.
Squat Pulses
Squat pulses are next on our list of apartment cardio moves. This is a super simple and effective exercise that targets your glutes, quads and hamstrings. The move limits your range of motion while squatting, which makes the muscles work extra hard — and you’ll feel it!
Start by standing upright with your feet shoulder-width apartment. While keeping your back straight, your torso bent at about a 45-degree angle and your arms straight out in front of you, begin squatting. Bend your knees 90 degrees and lower your body as far down as you can go. Next, instead of standing upright again to complete a full squat, simply pulse up a few inches before squatting down again. Do 3 reps of 10-15 repetitions.
Lunge Pulses
Finally, lunge pulses are another simple cardio move you can do in your apartment. Start by standing upright with your feet together and hands on your hips. Next, step backward with one leg into a lunge position. Lower your back knee until it is almost to the ground, and then return to the starting position, standing upright while straightening your knee. That’s one rep. Complete 3 reps of 20 repetitions.
