What would be the best cardio to do at home?

Growingannanas is best for cardio/HIIT. Lots of free workouts on YouTube.

Hi Boggle,

A few things you can do to build up your base of fitness. Best case building fitness goes in the following steps: build volume, then duration and then intensity. Always start with volume before duration or intensity.

1. Simply walk around your local area at a pace where you can speak full sentences, but it’s a bit harder than a normal gentle walk. Do this as frequently as you can during the week and as long as you want to. Don’t push yourself, make sure you feel refereshed and like you could do more. As time goes on, you can increase duration and then intensity (e.g. add a weighted backpack).
2. Walk up and down the stairs at your flat. This will build muscular endurance, but it may be too challenging at the moment. Like above, ideally, you keep the intensity where you can still speak full sentences. If it’s too hard, don’t push it.
3. Depending on your economic situation, an indoor trainer and games like Zwift (on laptop or pc) can be excellent. But, good indoor trainers can cost a lot and the games can push you too hard. I’d get used to comfortably riding around a flat world course at a pace you can hold a conversation. Again, build frequency first.

I’d avoid HIT at all cost to begin with. You want to first build your aerobic base in an enjoyable and manageable way before adding intensity. Intensity should become the cherry on top at a later date.

You do not need expensive equipment or apps that you pay for.

You need some dumbbells (4-8 kg to start with) and spend a month or so doing Caroline Girvan’s EPIC Beginners, followed by one of her more challenging programmes

it will change your life.

Urgh. Nope.

Virtual reality? I do various workouts to get my cardio in at home eg Les mills, Beatsaber etc.

Oh jogging along the seafront sounds wonderful! And I found C25K good for motivation as it’s a set programme, plus if you skip a run you really notice it 😬 Don’t suppose running early mornings would work for you as those would be less busy?? (I am not a morning person so totally understand if not!)

Were you mainly going to the gym to do classes? I ask this as what was it about going to the gym that motivated you, as that would be a good place to start, and you can then chose an activity accordingly which aligns with what you enjoy.

I'd look at Youtube for apartment friendly workouts. Madfit definitely has them.

My dog would totally take me out on a bike too 🤣🤣

Resistance bands!
Get some resistance bands and follow along with an exercise routine on Youtube or something. They make me sweat so much, and of course help you tone at the same time.

Oh, sorry, didn't see your post re busy seaside town (I know the feeling!) Can you walk to a quieter place then do a modified C25K?

I had to rehab a badly broken wrist once - and while the wrist healed reasonably quickly, my confidence was all over the place. I found that walking helped me get my balance, confidence and stamina back.

I use Madfit, GrowwithJo and FitbyMik on Youtube and they all have apartment-friendly Tabata, HIIT, cardio and bodyweight workouts that don't involve jumping or make too much noise.

It's the first time I've managed to be totally consistent with working out – have done at least 30mins a day since the start of April and I'm feeling amazing for it.

What about walking, or running? Get out of your flat, so there are no issues with noise.

Could you walk/run to your gym, do a short weights routine, then walk/run home? That way you get both cardio & strength training. Women really need to do both.

Alternatively, can you do a park-based Bootcamp? Lots of towns/areas have them. Or make up your own. I have happy memories of working out with a friend throughout the lockdown summer of 2020 - once we were allowed to meet up with one person outside our household outside. We worked on a mix of bodyweight strength and functional exercises and running & jumping (oh, we made ourselves do burpee bunny hops!).

Echelon. We have the indoor bike and it links to your phone or iPad for classes. Absolutely love it. Very quiet - other than my heavy breathing - you can't hear the bike at all. Quite compact too. I hate exercise but am really loving this.

Rowing machine. Doesn't make too much noise and a lot will stack against the wall when not in use.
The best machine for working most muscles in your body

Most workout peeps have "apartment friendly" workouts which are also low impact/no jumping so not too bad on the pelvic floor:) I'm a fan of Penny Barnshaw - mix of equipment/no equipment and lots of variety.

Walking. At a reasonably fast pace.Just go out and walk. Mix up the terrain a bit, some slopes, steps rough ground. Just walk. It’s cardio and wait bearing and you can listen to books. Just walk. Lots .

Could you go for a jog or a run outside, then you'd get some fresh air too? Even fast walking would be good. At home you could do strength and conditioning.

A spinning bike will be really noisy for your downstairs neighbour and probably your adjoining neighbours!

I have a bike on a turbo trainer (essentially the same thing) in the room above our garage but DH says he can still hear it in our living room. Living room is next to the garage and there is a cavity wall in between them that used to be the external wall (garage and room above are an extension).

Could you go out for a run or get a pushbike?

Les Miills on demand has bodypump plus loads of cardio programs. It's really good value but I agree it could be noisy.

I assume you've discounted running outside but if not,that is what I would do.

Personally I would do weights at home (eg Madfit or Caroline Girvan on youtube) and then go running for the cardio. Or does it need to be in your flat?