No running cardio

Cardiovascular activity (or cardio for short) supports heart health and helps improve endurance, energy levels and overall wellbeing. An alternative for the step exercise is marching on the spot.

Workout sequence

Disclaimer: If you have been inactive for a while, have heart disease, or a close relative with heart disease or if you have other major health problems, or are pregnant, please check with your doctor before following these workouts.

1. Lunge with twist

Recommended repetitions: 10-15 each leg
  1. Hold a weight/water bottle in your hands
  2. Step forward to complete a lunge – bend your knees to approximately 90 degrees as you reach the full range
  3. Keep your torso upright and your core engaged
  4. Twist to the left and then the right – try for your full range of motion here
  5. Push off from your front leg to return to the starting position
  6. Repeat, alternating legs

2. Jumping jacks

Recommended repetitions: 20-30
  1. Stand with your feet together, knees slightly bent, and arms at your sides
  2. Jump your legs apart, landing with soft knees, while raising your arms overhead
  3. Jump your legs back together, returning to your starting position.

3. Lunge with bicep curl

Recommended repetitions: 20-30 each leg
  1. Hold a weight/water bottle in each hand
  2. Step forward to complete a lunge – bend your knees to approximately 90 degrees as you reach the full range
  3. Keep your torso upright and your core engaged
  4. Complete a bicep curl with both arms (bending at your elbows to lift weight toward shoulders)
  5. Lower weights back down again. Push off from your front leg to return to the starting position
  6. Repeat alternating legs.

4. Squat reach and jump

Recommended repetitions: 10-15
  1. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and perform a squat by bending at the knees to lower yourself downwards
  2. Tip: Your knees should not pass over your toes
  3. From the squat position, straighten and jump upwards, reaching both arms forward

5. Mountain climber twists

Recommended repetitions: 10-15

1. Start on your hands and toes
2. Bending at the knee, bring your left knee forward directly under your chest while keeping your right leg straight
3. Quickly alternate legs while keeping your core muscles tight
4. Try to keep your body in a straight line without dipping in the low back. if this is too challenging, try doing the exercise on your knees

6. Step up knee lifts

Recommended repetitions: 15-20 each leg
  1. Lift one foot and position it in the middle of the step
  2. Step up with the opposite leg and, without touching the step, bend your knee and bring it up towards your chest
  3. Step straight back down again, and bring other foot off the step, returning both feet down to the ground
  4. Repeat on opposite leg

7. Lateral hops

Recommended repetitions: 20-30
  1. Keeping your feet hip distance apart, jump from side to side, jumping over an imaginary obstacle
  2. Land with soft knees
  3. Try to remain on the balls of your feet.

8. Advanced jumping jacks

Recommended repetitions: 20-30
  1. With your feet wide, lower into squat
  2. Extend your arms out to the sides of your shoulders, palms facing up
  3. Jump out of the squat, bringing your feet together and clap your hands overhead.

Physical Activity

Simple workouts for everyone

A great way to fit more movement into your day! Try these free workouts at home or work to improve your balance, strength and energy.

Workouts

Yoga for beginners

Yoga can build strength, awareness, and harmony in both your body and mind. It’s also great for your flexibility and
Workouts
Man doing squat exercise in back yard

Whole-body workout

This whole-body workout requires nothing but a mat and chair and will leave you feeling invigorated and energised!
Workouts
Woman doing dead bug exercise outdoors in back yard

10 minute home workout

Don’t have time for a full 30-minute workout? No problem! This quick, at-home workout can be done in just 10
Workouts
Female doing lunges in lounge room for stability, strength and balance

Stability and balance

Part of ageing well involves maintaining your stability and balance. This workout is a great addition to regular cardio and
Workouts
Woman outside in back yard doing stretching and strength exercises

Total body strength

This workout engages multiple muscle groups and is designed to target full body muscle strength, stability and control.
Workouts
Man doing step up knee lifts in lounge room

No running cardio

Get the cardio benefits your heart needs, without the running. This workout will help build endurance, boost energy and support