Even if you live in a cramped apartment, performing regular cardio is a lot simpler than you might realize…

Odds are good you already know how important regular cardiovascular exercise is. However, if you don’t currently have a gym membership, you might assume that getting the proper amount of cardio every week isn’t a practical option.

Don’t worry if this is the case. There are many ways you can exercise regularly without traveling to a fitness center, as long as you have a great pair of workout sneakers. They include the following:

Jogging in Place

Jogging is one of the simplest ways to burn calories and improve your cardiovascular health. Best of all, if you don’t have access to a gym, track, or park, you can still jog in place, regardless of how big or small your home may be. 

Don’t overlook the potential benefits of doing so. According to research, a person who weighs 125 pounds can burn as many as 60 calories by simply jogging in place for 10 minutes.

Jumping Jacks

This classic phys ed exercise shouldn’t be forgotten after graduating high school. Jumping jacks are also a more powerful form of cardio exercise than many people realize. Like jogging in place, they can be performed virtually anywhere as well. Although numerous factors influence just how many calories you can expect to burn when performing any given exercise, in general, a 150-pound individual performing jumping jacks consistently and intensely for five minutes will burn approximately 47 calories.

Burpees

You should have many goals when embracing a fitness regimen. Improving your overall stamina may be one of them. Thus, it makes sense that you would try to tackle more difficult exercises as you become more comfortable with simple options like jogging in place and jumping jacks.

Moving up to burpees is a smart next step. To perform them, begin in a standing position, move to a squat, then touch the floor with both hands and jump your feet back so you’re in a push-up/plank position. Jump your feet back in, stand up, and repeat for approximately 30 to 60 seconds. Rest as needed, and repeat the circuit again to your comfort level.

Just keep in mind that burpees can be a relatively high impact exercise. If you have joint problems, you may want to consider another workout routine. Burpees are also intense, so they may not be ideal for someone who already has cardiovascular health conditions. Always consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise regimen.

As these examples make clear, you don’t need an expensive gym membership to burn calories and support your heart. You don’t even need a particularly large space. Even if you live in a cramped apartment, performing regular cardio is a lot simpler than you might realize.