Since I need to stick with low impact cardio for a while, I decided to check out some of Jessica Smith‘s free YouTube HIIT for Beginner workouts. I did get a better cardio workout from this than I did from her 1 Mile Belly, Buns & Thighs Walk. It isn’t super intense–at least when done entirely low impact–but still a good cardio workout. After the warm up the structure of the workout is 2 minutes of steady state cardio (5-6 intensity effort) + 1 minute interval (7-8 intensity effort). If you are a true beginner this might be a HIIT level workout for you but it wasn’t for me. For the 1 minute interval Jessica shows both low and high impact versions. I did the low impact versions. Even tho I didn’t find this intense, it was still a good cardio workout and I enjoyed it. Peanut kept us company during the warm up but ran away when the actual workout started.
HIIT for Beginners: Cardio Intervals is 21:30 minutes; 5 minute warm up and 3:30 minute cool down/stretch.
- Wide side to side steps; changes to cross kick in front; changes to march while pushing arms overhead
- Interval: jog in place (or high knees) while traveling forward and back
- Side to side steps; changes to march in place w/ jump rope arms; changes to heel digs w/ jump rope arms; alternate tapping toes to side
- Interval: jumping jacks moving forward and back (or low impact jacks)
- Tap step forward and back; changes to step w/ knee lift; changes to marching forward and back
- Interval: knee pulls
- Repeat 5 & 6 on other side of body
For more info on JessicaSmithTV and other (free) streaming workouts I’ve sampled and reviewed, check out my Streaming page.
Hi,
Since you need to do low impact for a bit, I was wondering if you had considered online spin classes? Spin bikes can be pretty affordable and there are a couple of good apps, like Peloton and Studio Sweat on Demand. I’ve had to use spinning as my primary cardio due to shin splints and tendonitis. In any event, I really enjoy your blog and wish you a speedy recovery!
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Thanks Lisa! I don’t own a spin bike (though I have thought about buying one several times over the past few years) but I do own a recumbent stationary bike. I sometimes use that to do some of Cathe’s cycle workouts. I’m sure I will be doing some of those frequently over the next year.
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