Cardio for fitness: From burpees to squats, these are the 7 best cardio exercises you can do at  home

Best cardio exercises: Probably the most dreaded of them all, burpees provide a killer full-body workout in a short period of time, combining squats, push-ups, and jumps (Image: Canva)

Cardiovascular exercises not only help in shedding those extra kilos but also enhance heart health and boost your overall fitness. The good news is that you don't need a gym membership or fancy equipment to get a great cardio session. We have compiled a list of some of the best cardio exercises you can do in the comfort of your home to get your heart racing and the calories burning.

Probably the most dreaded of them all, burpees provide a killer full-body workout in a short period of time, combining squats, push-ups, and jumps.

• Start by standing with your feet hip-width apart.
• Drop into a squat, place your hands on the floor, and kick your feet back into a plank position.
• Perform a push-up, jump your feet back to the squat position, and explosively jump up.
• Repeat this movement as quickly as you can for a fantastic total body workout.

(Image: Canva)

Put your childhood memories to work with jumping rope. This activity gets your heart rate up and engages your leg muscles.

• Grab a skipping rope and jump over it while swinging it over your head and under your feet.
• Gradually increase the intensity by changing the speed and style of your jumps.

(Image: Canva)

Similar to burpees, jumping jacks are a classic exercise that engages the entire body.  It's a fantastic way to get your heart pumping and work your legs and shoulders simultaneously.

• Begin by standing with your feet together and arms at your sides.
• Jump your feet out while raising your arms overhead.
• Return to the starting position and repeat.

(Image: Canva)

Followed by athletes around the world, jump squats are excellent for toning your lower body and improving cardiovascular fitness.

• Start in a squat position, then explosively jump as high as you can.
• Land back in the squat position and immediately jump again.
• Keep repeating this motion to elevate your heart rate.

Arm circles can really work on toning the muscles in your shoulder and arm—biceps and triceps. They also work on your upper back muscles.

• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and extend your arms to the sides.
• Make small circular motions with your arms, gradually increasing the size of the circles.
• Reverse the direction after a set time to work different muscle groups.

Trunk rotations are ideal for improving your core strength, stability, flexibility, and greater mobility of the spine.

• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and arms extended in front of you.
• Twist your torso to one side while keeping your hips facing forward, then return to the center and twist to the other side.
• This exercise keeps your heart rate up while enhancing core strength.

Lateral shuffles are a great way to improve agility and target the glutes, hips, thighs, and calves.

• Begin by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and bend your knees slightly.
• Shuffle to the right by taking small, quick steps, then shuffle to the left.
• Keep moving laterally, and you'll feel the burn in your legs and get a great cardio workout.

Lace up your trainers, clear some space, and get ready to break a sweat with these effective cardio workouts at home! But do remember to warm up before starting and cool down after finishing your workout to prevent injury and optimise your results. Whether you have 10 minutes or an hour to spare, these exercises can be tailored to fit your schedule and fitness level, making it easier than ever to stay active from the comfort of your home.