Refresh your cardio routine this January and try our extreme cardio circuit. You’ll push yourself to new limits, burn calories and increase your overall level of fitness.
If 5 sets are too difficult to start with, begin with 2 sets and add an additional set in each week until you work your way up to 5 sets.
And by the way, as this workout involves no or limited equipment, it's the perfect option to do at home or at the gym.
Jump squats – 5 sets of 20 reps
- Begin standing with your feet shoulder-width apart (hip-width apart for women)
- Drop into a regular squat position with your core braced and your arms at your sides
- When you reach the bottom of this movement, drive through your legs and jump explosively upward lifting both arms
- Land in a controlled manner and return to a squat position for one rep
Scissor lunges – 5 sets of 15 reps per side
- Begin standing with your feet hip-width apart
- Clasp your hands behind your head and lunge forward with your left foot
- Lower yourself until right knee almost touches the floor
- Drive through your feet and explosively push yourself upward while simultaneously scissoring your legs in midair
- Land with your right leg forward and lunge forward until your left foot is almost touches the floor for one rep
Skaters – 5 sets 15 reps each side
- Begin in squat position
- Jump sideways to the left and land on your left leg
- Move your right leg behind your left ankle without letting it touch the floor
- Reverse the direction of the movement and jump to the right side, landing on your right leg for one rep
Burpees with push-ups – 5 sets of 15 reps
- Begin standing with your feet hip-width apart and both of your arms down by your sides
- Lower your body down into a squat position
- Once you’ve dropped down as low as you can, place both hands on the floor in front of your chest
- Walk or jump your feet backward until you’re in a plank position
- Bend your arms and lower yourself down to the floor
- Push yourself back up to a plank position before jumping your feet in towards your hands and returning to a squat position for one rep
Tuck jumps – 5 sets of 15 reps
- Begin standing on a flat and stable surface with a little bit of cushion
- Your feet should be about hip-width apart
- Drop down into a half squat position before driving through your legs and simultaneously bringing your knees as close to your chest as possible and swinging your arms upward
- Land softly on the balls of your feet with a slight bend in your knees for one rep
Half Turkish get-ups – 5 sets of 10 reps per side
- Grab a dumbbell with your right hand and cradle it as you lay back onto a mat, legs extended
- While gripping the kettlebell tightly with a straight wrist, extend your right arm and slowly move your right heel towards your right glute
- The left leg should be approximately 45 degrees away from your body and your left arm should be placed palm down and away from your body
- While keeping your right arm straight, perform a sit-up
- At the top of the sit-up position, use your planted foot to help push your hips upward
- Move your extended leg back behind your body as you reach the kettlebell as high as possible
- In a controlled manner reverse the movement to lower yourself back down to the starting position for one rep
- Perform the designated amount of reps before repeating the movement on the opposite side