No running cardio

Cardiovascular movement (or cardio for short) helps support your heart, lungs and overall wellbeing. Regular cardio activities can improve fitness, energy levels, mood and your ability to take part in the activities you enjoy. When completing the workout, choose movements that suit your environment and feel right for you.  

Start small and build up gradually if you need to. For example, try to do 1–2 sets of each exercise, gradually building up to 3–4 sets over time.

Workout sequence

This workout can help you work towards meeting the Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines, which recommend being physically active on most days and including muscle-strengthening activities on at least 2 days per week, and functional activities on at least 3 days per week.

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
Demonstration of a lunge with twist
  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
Demonstration of a lunge with bicep curl
  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
Demonstration of a squat with reach and jump
  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
Demonstration of mountain climber twists in a plank position

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
Demonstration of a step-up with knee lift
  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
Low lunge to stretch tight hips

Stretching for tight hips

This sequence is designed for those that have tight hips and may experience discomfort in the low back, groin, and
Workouts
Woman doing core strength exercises on an exercise mat in the backyard

Core strength and posture

This workout can help improve balance and build strength in the muscles that support your abdomen, back and pelvis.
Workouts
Woman does a modified push up as part of a low impact workout

Low impact workout

This low impact workout guide is designed to build strength, balance, and coordination while incorporating gentle cardiovascular training.
Workouts
Woman performing mountain climbers on a workout mat in the backyard

No running cardio

Get the cardio benefits your heart needs, without the running.
Workouts
Quick lunch-break workout: couple doing lunges in lounge room

Quick lunch time workout

Struggling to find time in the day to move more? This mini workout can be completed during your lunch break.
Workouts
Reverse warrior

Yoga for beginners

Yoga can help build strength, awareness, and harmony in both your body and mind. It’s also great for your flexibility.