If you're someone who dreads doing cardio, it might be because you haven’t found a style of cardio that you enjoy.
If you hate running or burpees you’ll be pleased to know that getting your heart rate up doesn't have to involve hours on a treadmill or flopping to the floor hundreds of times.
Pilates instructor Raven Ross recently shared a cardio routine that proves this point. The workout is inspired by Pilates, which is a style of strength training that develops muscle strength and endurance, as well as improving posture and balance.
Ross' session is beginner-friendly and low impact, which means it puts less pressure on your muscles and joints. She suggests that it can be used as a way to bring movement to your day if you're at home with no equipment, or as a way to warm up at the gym.
How to do Raven Ross' 10-minute Pilates cardio routine
You don't need any equipment to follow along, but because some exercises towards the end of the workout require you to be on your hands and knees, a yoga mat will make this position more comfortable. Take a look at our guide to the best yoga mats, if it's something you want to add to your home setup.
The benefits of low-impact cardio workouts
This workout will get you moving and raise your heart rate, while also challenging your muscles, so it's a great option if you're looking for a full-body session that’s gentle on the body.
Although it might not feel as sweaty as you do in a HIIT workout, you'll still feel the benefits of aerobic exercise, including improved metabolic health—how your body processes food into energy, and breaks down fats and sugars.
In this process, insulin— a hormone the pancreas produces—moves sugar from the blood into muscles. When this stops working, it causes blood sugar levels to rise, putting you at a higher risk of unhealthy visceral fat, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Aerobic exercise can affect your metabolic health by improving how well insulin does its job.
Looking for more bite-sized ways to sweat at home? Try this 10-minute no-jumping cardio workout.
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