Best Cardio Exercises for the Dorm Room

Usually when we think of cardio, we think of clocking miles on a treadmill, going out for a long run around campus or jumping through a hip-hop dance class. However, you don’t need a lot of space or expensive equipment to get in a sweat session- you can sneak in a solid cardio workout from your dorm room.
Perfect for those cold winter days when you don’t feel like battling the snow to head across campus to the gym or when it’s simply too late to switch into your workout gear, these dorm room cardio exercises will get your heart thumping without stepping a foot outside.
1. Lunges: This classic fitness move is usually thought of as a resistance exercise, but if you do them quickly enough, you can raise your heart rate and use them as cardio. Lunges strengthen your legs, your core, bum, and calves. Start with both feet together and step your right foot forward bending your knee at a 90-degree angle and lowering your body into a lunge position. Return your right foot to center and repeat on the left side. Start out by doing ten lunges, gradually working your way up to 25. Add some variety and try side lunges, back lunges and walking lunges along the dorm room hallways.
2. Jumping jacks: This childhood favorite is a simple but challenging way to speed up your heart rate. Position yourself on an even surface and make sure the ceiling is tall enough to accommodate your raised arms. Start out by doing one minute of jumping jacks and gradually work your way up to five or ten minutes.
3. Stair climbing: Any fitness expert will tell you that if you have a set of stairs and want to get in shape, climb them and climb them often. Find a safe and somewhat quiet stairwell in your dormitory and climb them, up and down for ten minutes. Your quads will feel the burn, your heart will feel the charge and your entire body will thank you.
4. Invisible jump rope: Imagine you are holding a jump rope in your hands and keep your elbows tucked into your sides. Start by jumping using your toes as your push-off point and swing your arms in a circular motion, just as if your hands were clasping a jump rope. Practice this for one minute at first and then work your way up to five minutes.
5. Intervals: Perform any of the above exercises for one to two minutes. Stop and then perform one to two minutes of a strength-training dorm exercise, like push-ups or crunches. Start the cycle over again. Perform this interval-based workout for 10, 20 or 30 minutes.
With these exercises, you can no longer use the excuse that you don’t have the time, money or equipment to get in shape. With a bit of creativity and the motivation, you can get in a great cardio workout from the comfort of your dorm room.