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Forget the treadmill, boost your cardio fitness at home with these three low-impact bodyweight exercises

Forget the treadmill, boost your cardio fitness at home with these three low-impact bodyweight exercises


If being stuck on a treadmill or static bike for miles is your only idea of cardio, then Lucy Borrie is out to change that.

The professional dancer and personal trainer recently launched BeBody, a workout method inspired by ’80s aerobics designed to be fun and effective.

It features classic bodyweight strength-training moves set to upbeat music; the faster tempo means you’ll get a cardio workout while testing your muscles.

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Below, she’s shared three of her favorite low-impact cardio movements you can try at home. They will help you build strength all over and boost your heart health too.

Borrie recommends putting on some fast-paced music and doing the workout in time to embody the BeBody method.

How to do the low-impact cardio workout

Before you jump in, Borrie says you should do two slow repetitions of each exercise to make sure you can execute it comfortably.

“Any movement I do, I always start slow, even if it’s a cardio movement,” she says. “I like to feel the move rather than rush into it, and then pick up the pace.”

Perform this workout as a circuit, doing each exercise for 40 seconds, followed by a 20-second rest. After you’ve done all three exercises, you’ve completed one round. Complete three rounds in total.

1. No-jump burpee

Modified Burpee or Low Impact Burpee Exercise Demonstration – YouTube


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Time: 40sec Rest: 20sec

  • Stand with your feet hip-distance apart.
  • Squat and bring your hands to the floor.
  • Step your feet back, one at a time, so that you’re in a high plank position with your body in one straight line. Keep your core engaged and shoulders over your palms.
  • Step your feet back in between your hands, one at a time.
  • Stand and reach your hands overhead, without jumping.

2. Slow cross-body mountain climber

Cross-Body Mountain Climber – YouTube
Cross-Body Mountain Climber - YouTube


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Time: 40sec Rest: 20sec

  • Start in a high plank with your shoulders above your hands and your back flat.
  • Slowly drive one knee toward your opposite elbow.
  • Hold briefly then return it to the starting position.
  • Repeat on the other side and continue alternating.

3. Power lunge

Reverse Lunge to Knee Drive – YouTube
Reverse Lunge to Knee Drive - YouTube


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Time: 20sec each side Rest: 20sec

  • Stand with your feet hip-width apart, then step one foot back.
  • Lower your back knee toward the floor until both knees are at roughly 90° angles.
  • Push through your front foot to return to standing.
  • As you do, drive your back knee forward and up toward your chest. Drive your opposite hand and elbow to chest height for momentum.
  • Complete your repetitions on one side, then switch sides.

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