February is Heart Month, an ideal time to focus on your heart health and the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Physical activity is one of the best gifts you can give your heart. Adding heart healthy exercises to your daily routine will help improve your circulation and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Plus, heart healthy exercises help your body release feel-good chemicals (endorphins, dopamine and serotonin) that can lift your spirits and make your heart sing!
While this all sounds lovely, February’s frigid weather might make you just want to stay cozy at home rather than brave the cold to get active outdoors or at the gym. That’s why we’ve created a seven-day challenge – Home is Where your Heart Pumps – to make it easy for you to get your heart pumping with simple, quick and fun heart healthy exercises in the comfort of your home. Try these exercises every day for at least one week – your heart will thank you!
7 heart healthy exercises to try at home
Day 1: High knees
Did you know that high knees is a high-intensity, cardiovascular exercise that gets your heart pumping while engaging your core and strengthening your legs? Show your heart some love by performing a two- to three-minute burst of high knees seated or standing!
Day 2: Dance
Pick your favourite track and let your body go! Dancing is not only a total body exercise, but it’s also a fun way to get your heart pumping. Move like no one’s watching today and dance it out!
Day 3: Air punches
Did you know that non-contact boxing can be just as beneficial for your heart as running? Whether you sit or stand, keep your elbows soft and shoulders relaxed, and alternate throwing rapid punches in the air for three minutes. Talk about a heart healthy stress reliever!
Day 4: Brisk walk
Brisk walking at a pace of 100 steps per minute is an excellent heart healthy exercise that will warm you up, get your heart pumping and can even lift your spirits. Walk, wheel or roll around your home, workplace or school to make your heart shine!
Day 5: Skipping
Think skipping is just for kids? Think again! Whether you do it with or without a rope, seated or standing, a well-performed skipping exercise will strengthen your heart, muscles and tendons to help you avoid injury and pain.
Day 6: Skating exercise
Skating is an excellent cardiovascular exercise. Can’t take it to a rink? No problem – this skating exercise can give you the feeling of skating with all the same heart-healthy benefits. Hop from side to side on one foot, switching legs as if you’re hopping over a puddle. Add in your arms to give you the full skating feeling!
Day 7: Cardio Boxing-Inspired Workout
Today is the day to pump up your heart. Make time for our Cardio Boxing-Inspired Workout for 20 minutes of heart-pumping fun that’s just what the doctor ordered!
