Strength Exercises for a Cardio Workout

Working out can be a bore, and many of us, honestly, prefer to get our workouts over as soon as possible. By combining your strength exercises with some cardio work, you can kill two birds with one stone by getting your daily exercise yet shortening your workout time in the process.  Here are five ways you can add some cardio to your strength training exercises and reduce the need for a separate cardio workout.

Standing Crunches

1. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and toes turned slightly outward.
2. Put your hands behind your head as if you were doing a crunch on the floor.
3. Lift one knee as high as you can out to the side, and simultaneously bend your elbow to touch the knee, keeping the core muscles tight.
4. Bring the knee and arm back to the original position and repeat on the other side.
5. Repeat at least twenty times on each side.

Burpees

The Burpee is an often dreaded but highly effective exercise for combining cardio and strength exercises.

1. Stand straight with your arms at your side.
2. Quickly move into a push-up position.
3. Do a push-up.
4. Quickly bring your feet close to your hands and hop back up on your feet, simultaneously raising your hands above your head and clapping.
5. Finish by bringing your hands down to your side.
6. Repeat at least ten times.

Jumping Jack Planks

1. Get into a straight-arm plank position by placing your hands and toes on the floor and forming a straight line from your head to your feet. Be sure to keep your core muscles tight.
2. Jump your feet out to the sides and then back to the center, making sure to keep your core muscles tight and your body in a straight line.
3. Repeat at least twenty times.

Jumping Squat

1. Get into a standing position like you would before performing a squat. Make sure that your back is straight and that your core muscles are tight.
2. Bend down into a proper squat position, keeping your back straight and using your core muscles for balance.
3. Leave the squat position and jump up into the air, landing back into the beginning straight standing position.
4. Repeat at least ten times.

Stair Lunges

Stair Lunges are a simple yet-effective-way to improve both cardio fitness and strength fitness and help firm your bum at the same time.

1. Find a long set of stairs
2. Go up the stairs quickly, taking the steps two at a time.
3. Bounce down the stairs quickly (but carefully) and repeat.

Combining your cardio exercises with your strength training exercises will ensure you move toward top physical condition without spending hours each day at a gym. All of the above exercises can easily be done at home or in parks or other public areas with lots of space.

Work to improve your workouts today by performing workouts that combine cardio and strength exercises together. As with any exercise program, be sure to consult a physician before beginning a cardio/strength workout.

Source: http://www.fitnessrepublic.com/fitness/exercises/strength-exercises-for-a-cardio-workout.html