Cardio suggestions for at home gym

hesn92
hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
edited November 27 in Fitness and Exercise
Those of you who work out at home, what type of cardio do you do? I am finally getting my home gym (yay) but just weights. At the gym I normally get on an elliptical or stationary bike or something and I don’t want to purchase a cardio machine for my home. I really don’t like running :( oh and I don’t own a bike which is what I really want to do. just looking for some ideas. Thanks!
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Replies

  • Mjones23456
    Mjones23456 Posts: 57 Member
    There is always the tried and true jump rope! It burns a lot of calories but you may need to start with intervals.
  • raven56706
    raven56706 Posts: 918 Member
    get a Peloton bike. Its worth every penny.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    i have a bench and stationary bike at home, and i also run. so no help what so ever... :laugh:

    do whatever cardio you do like, walk, dance, etc etc
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    i have a bench and stationary bike at home, and i also run. so no help what so ever... :laugh:

    do whatever cardio you do like, walk, dance, etc etc

    Same, agreed.

    What do you enjoy doing?
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    If you want to get a bike, get a bike.

    Then you can get the magnetic spin mount stand trainer for indoor use.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    edited June 2018
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    i have a bench and stationary bike at home, and i also run. so no help what so ever... :laugh:

    do whatever cardio you do like, walk, dance, etc etc

    Same, agreed.

    What do you enjoy doing?

    I don’t know lol! I tried to get into running but I don’t like it. It’s boring. Although that was on a treadmill so perhaps I will try again outside and see if I like that better. I would like to ride a bike but I just dropped some money on the weights I don’t really want to buy a bike right now. Maybe that will be an investment for next year. I also really like hiking but there aren’t many cool places to hike around here, so that’s more of a once in a while thing not a regular form of exercise.
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    What about trail running? IMO, takes the best of both running and hiking.

    And yes... don't rule out running because of your treadmill experiences...
  • aokoye
    aokoye Posts: 3,495 Member
    edited June 2018
    hesn92 wrote: »
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    i have a bench and stationary bike at home, and i also run. so no help what so ever... :laugh:

    do whatever cardio you do like, walk, dance, etc etc

    Same, agreed.

    What do you enjoy doing?

    I don’t know lol! I tried to get into running but I don’t like it. It’s boring. Although that was on a treadmill so perhaps I will try again outside and see if I like that better. I would like to ride a bike but I just dropped some money on the weights I don’t really want to buy a bike right now. Maybe that will be an investment for next year. I also really like hiking but there aren’t many cool places to hike around here, so that’s more of a once in a while thing not a regular form of exercise.

    Save up for a bike though my vote is for an actual bike with a trainer (a stand that you can put your bike on in order to use it inside) instead of a peloton. The exception is if you have no desire of riding outside (which is valid), though even then I don't know that I'd suggest a peloton. That said, given that a bike is out at the moment, you don't like running, and hiking isn't an option I would suggest the Nike Training Club app. I used it a fair amount last summer and really enjoyed it. Another potential option is swimming, but that isn't typically a home activity and I don't know if you have access to a pool.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Insanity is good fun?
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    edited June 2018
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    What about trail running? IMO, takes the best of both running and hiking.

    And yes... don't rule out running because of your treadmill experiences...
    I think I will take running up again outside. I live in a pretty lame area. We do have some running trails but they aren’t very exciting. But oh well. I was doing C25K and got up to week 5 and just said to hell with it. With the longer running intervals I was just bored out of my mind on the treadmill.
  • emmies_123
    emmies_123 Posts: 513 Member
    I prefer workout routines, see link below. This allows me some variety so I find myself returning to it instead of getting bored. No equipment needed, most can be done in a small space. My current workout is to the 1-mile express cardio back to back

    http://jessicasmithtv.com/exercise-videos/

    If you really want equipment (as some people feel like you aren't burning efficiently without gear) I would recommend a small stationary cycle similar to the one linked below. Doesn't take up much space, lets you cycle while doing other stationary tasks (read a book, watch tv, play a game). Only downside is that it may break under high/frequent stress.

    https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mini-Cycle-Pedal-Exerciser-Bike-Cycle-Fitness-Exercise-Indoor-Stationary-Bike-With-LCD-Display-Adjustable-Body-Cardio-Workout-Gym-Fitness-Black/797320291?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227105688715&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=235442493084&wl4=pla-387893421344&wl5=9009978&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=797320291&wl13=&veh=sem
  • Kay_180
    Kay_180 Posts: 38 Member
    You could get a step! It will get your heart-rate up, and you can mix it up with different routines (there are loads online) so you don't get bored. You can also incorporate it into your weights like circuit training.
  • LIBOR_cat
    LIBOR_cat Posts: 197 Member
    Fill two drums with water and do farmer’s walk. Best cardio ever. Free of cost. Do it early morning coz it might look weird to the neighbors.
  • mutantspicy
    mutantspicy Posts: 624 Member
    edited July 2018
    You don't need exercise machines to get a cardio workout. You can look up Body Weight and with weight interval training and get plenty of cardio. Kettlebell swings, squats, push ups, burpees for instance. Set up an interval timer say 40 secs on then 15 sec rest(jog in place or stretch) then just cycle between those for 20 mins. You can do all sorts of cardio without machines, lunges, step ups, jump squats, pull ups, etc
  • 0ysterboy
    0ysterboy Posts: 192 Member
    Running can be pretty boring without some entertainment. I usually listen to podcasts, and sometimes music or the news. Without some form of audio entertainment it just wouldn't be bearable.
  • Davidsdottir
    Davidsdottir Posts: 1,285 Member
    Burpees!

    Seriously, though, running outside.
  • sgt1372
    sgt1372 Posts: 3,997 Member
    A Concept2 rower.
  • jaxnjosh
    jaxnjosh Posts: 50 Member
    Look up MillionaireHoy on youtube. He has loads of free cardio no equipment workouts. Lots of different lengths of workouts too. Its all free
  • GOT_Obsessed
    GOT_Obsessed Posts: 817 Member
    I created my own backyard bootcamp for when I was away. I used kettlebells, a jump rope, incorporated jumping jacks, squats, lunges and ran around the block. I did step ups on the deck steps and triceps dips off the side of the picnic table. Think outside the box and no doubt you can find something fun right at home. Best of luck!
  • Avidkeo
    Avidkeo Posts: 3,213 Member
    Look on YouTube there are thousands of cardio videos there from HIIT through to gentle low impact. You can burn as many calories as you would on a bike/treadmill but it's so much more fun. My favourite is fitness blender - on their website you can search for videos just Google them. But there are lots of others if you don't like fitness blender.
  • RadishEater
    RadishEater Posts: 470 Member
    Another vote for Insanity, it is definitely not boring.
    Shaun T is very motivating and you can go at your own intensity whether almost dieing on the floor gasping for air or just getting your heartrate up for an extended time.

    You could do the whole planned program or just pick different workouts to suit your schedule. Unless you are pretty fit I wouldn't suggest diving into the month 2 programs, but start with the first month.
  • ecjim
    ecjim Posts: 1,001 Member
    try complexes with your weights - a series of exercises done 1 right after another with the same weight - great cardio + lifting good fat burning - Google Cosgrove's Evil 8 complex for a good one ( start with light weights) there are many others to choose4 from - Eastcoast Jim
  • Jasp03
    Jasp03 Posts: 54 Member
    Speed rope and battle ropes are both excellent for cardio.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    I do a video every morning. Some I have purchased, some are downloaded from YouTube, some are borrowed from the library. I lean towards kickboxing, but there's so much out there. I have Jillian, Denise Austin, The Firm, Turbo Jam and TurboFire, Shaun T, ExerciseTV, PopSugar...
  • 9DLSpades
    9DLSpades Posts: 14 Member
    I agree with the idea of investing in a rower like the Concept2 but the all time best cardio machine I have ever owned is the MaxTrainer. 20 minutes on that feels like 1 hour! You need to have some type of indoor equipment when you can't go outside because of rain or intense heat.
  • RadishEater
    RadishEater Posts: 470 Member
    9DLSpades wrote: »
    I agree with the idea of investing in a rower like the Concept2 but the all time best cardio machine I have ever owned is the MaxTrainer. 20 minutes on that feels like 1 hour! You need to have some type of indoor equipment when you can't go outside because of rain or intense heat.

    That makes sense if the person likes rowing. I would use one at the gym to see if you enjoy it regularly before purchasing one.
    I've never enjoyed doing more than 10 mins of rowing because I get bored.

    Though it is an amazing workout.
  • cbstewart88
    cbstewart88 Posts: 453 Member
    Mjones23456 wrote: »
    There is always the tried and true jump rope! It burns a lot of calories but you may need to start with intervals.

    I agree with this ^^^^^. Nothing better than jumping rope. And it costs next to nothing!!! :). Jumping jacks are pretty good too....
  • rainbow198
    rainbow198 Posts: 2,245 Member
    I workout at home and outdoors.

    For cardio in my home gym I enjoy using workout dvd's such as Beachbody, Cathe Friedrich etc. and Youtube workouts such as HIIT workouts or walking workouts.

    I have a mini-stair stepper with handles, do step aerobics and I jump rope. Sometimes I would jog in place too.

    I also enjoy doing plyometrics and bodyweight work (burpees, walking lunges with heavy weights, farmer walks, jumping squats etc.) Some of these involves weights, but they get my heart rate pumping.
  • errollmaclean
    errollmaclean Posts: 562 Member
    I went with an exercise bike to replace a treadmill. Much cheaper than a treadmill. I really enjoy it, plus I can read while getting some cardio in.
  • sharonedix
    sharonedix Posts: 28 Member
    With all the great suggestions above . I just know you will find what works for you ..so proud of you keep it up! Let nothing or no one discourage you..you got this one day at a time . Your new friend
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