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The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Manhattan chapter.

Cardio exercises include any activity that causes your heart rate to increase and your breathing to quicken. Some of the best cardio workouts involve being outside and with nature. For example, hiking, biking, swimming and running are some of the best ways to get your heart pumping. Doing cardio exercises allows your heart and lungs to work better and overall keeps you active and healthy.  

Our lives can get very busy with school, extracurriculars and work, so getting out and being one with nature may be challenging. If this is the case, here are some gym cardio workouts to help you get in that quick and sufficient workout.

Treadmill: Whether you decide to walk or run is entirely up to you. As long as you’re pushing yourself and getting on the treadmill is the first step in the right direction. Walking is one of the most manageable cardio workouts one can start and incorporate into daily life. By walking or running regularly, you might experience a boost in your immune system, a decrease in joint pain, a reduction in body fat and an increase in muscle strength. 

Stairs: The stair master can provide a more challenging cardio workout than other machines. This is because there is no relative rest between the flights you would typically have when walking or running up and down your stairs at home or work. The faster you set the stair master, the more intense the workout. But the stairs are one of the best workouts for burning calories and gaining muscle.

Cycling: Cycling is one of the more low-impact forms of exercise for all ages. This means that it causes less strain and injuries than most other forms of exercise. Cycling is also a perfect muscle workout, engaging all major muscle groups as you pedal. Cycling is mainly aerobic, meaning your heart, blood vessels and lungs all get a workout. Benefits from cycling regularly include improved joint mobility, decreased stress levels, improved posture and coordination, strengthened bones and reduced body fat levels.

HIIT Workout: “HIIT” is a broad term for workouts that involve short periods of intense exercise alternated with recovery periods. One of the most significant advantages of HIIT is that you can get the top health benefits in a concise amount of time. The actual activity you’re performing varies depending on what you want to do or feel comfortable with but can range from biking, jumping rope, running or even bodyweight exercises. The specific amount of time you exercise and recover will vary based on your chosen activity and how intensely you want to exercise. Regardless of how you implement this strategy, high-intensity intervals should involve short periods of vigorous exercise that speed up your heart rate.