Cardio – you either love it or you hate it! If you fall under the second category, you may have asked yourself, “What is a good cardio mini workout?” Well, we’ve got you! This cardio mini workout takes only 5 minutes, but will have your heart pumping and pores sweating before the end. It uses the following exercises:
- Jumping Jacks
- High Knees
- Butt Kicks
- Ghost Rope
- Mountain Climbers
In the rest of this article, we’ll walk you through each exercise in detail. Just make sure to bend your knees whenever you land from a jump, and rest for 25 to 30 seconds between each exercise.
Cardio Mini Workout For When You’re Short On Time
Jumping Jacks
Start by standing up straight, feet together and arms down by your sides. Bend your knees and jump so your feet are a little wider than hip width. At the same time, swing your arms up overhead. Bend your knees and jump again back to the starting position. Repeat for 45 seconds.
High Knees
Stand up straight with your feet hip width apart. Lift your right knee to waist level and then land again on the ball of your right foot. As your foot lands, push off to jump and lift your left knee to waist height. Repeat rapidly, trying to keep your knees at least at waist height. Your arms can bend at the elbow and gently swing with your body as it moves. Repeat for 45 seconds.
Butt Kicks
Start in a standing position with your feet hip width apart. Bend your right leg at the knee and draw your right foot up toward your right glute. Then, land again on the ball of your right foot and simultaneously draw your left foot toward your left glute. Continue in this way, quickly alternating between legs. Your hands can be on your waist or you can leave your elbows bent and gently swinging by your sides. Repeat for 45 seconds.
Ghost Rope
Start by standing upright, feet close together and arms down by your sides. Clasp your hands like you’re holding a jump rope, then gently hop on the balls of your feet. At the same time, circle your hands, pivoting them at the elbow, as though you’re using an invisible jump rope! Repeat for 45 seconds.
Mountain Climbers
Come down to a high plank position, hands directly under the shoulders and body in a straight line from head to heels. Bend your right leg at the knee, picking up your foot and drawing the knee toward the chest. Place your foot back in the starting position and immediately draw your left knee in toward your chest.
Continue in this manner, alternating rapidly between sides. Repeat for 45 seconds.
You can use this mini workout as a quick but effective cardio routine, a warm up for your regular workouts, or repeat it several times for a dedicated cardio workout
