You can increase your heart rate and burn calories without a trip to the gym. These three cardio workouts last for 5 minutes each. When you repeat the segments four times, you will complete a fast-paced 20-minute cardio workout. Perform each movement for 50 seconds and allow 10 seconds to transition between exercises.

Workout 1

High knees

Jog in place while lifting your knees high towards your chest.

Jumping jacks

Stand with your feet together, knees slightly bent, and arms at your sides. Jump while raising your arms and separating your legs. Land with your legs apart and your arms overhead. Jump again while lowering your arms and returning your legs to the starting position. For a lower-impact version, alternate stepping each foot out to the side instead of jumping.

Alternating front kicks

Lift the right knee and kick your right foot out in front of you so your leg is parallel to the floor. Repeat with your left leg. To increase the intensity, pick up the pace and add a hop as you kick.

Squat jumps

Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Sit back into a squat and then jump into the air. As you land, drop back down into a squat and repeat.

Scissor jumps

Jump and quickly cross your ankles while in the air. Land with your feet uncrossed. Repeat and alternate which foot is in the front.

Workout 2

Mountain climbers

Start in plank position. Pull your right knee towards your chest as you tap your right toe on the ground about 18 inches below your right hand. Return your right foot to the starting position while raising your left foot. Repeat.

Plank jacks

From the standard plank position, hop your feet out to the sides and hop back into the center. To reduce the intensity, tap your right and left feet out to the side one leg at a time.

Modified burpees

From the standard push-up position, hop your feet forward so they land between your hands. As you stand, jump into the air. Return your hands to the ground and jump your feet back to the standard plank position. Repeat.

One leg hop

Stand on your right foot and hop. Hop side-to-side and front-to-back to challenge your balance. Switch feet and hop on your left leg.

Skaters

Jump to the right and land on your right foot with your left knee bent and your left foot lifted off the floor. Jump to the left and land on your left foot. Increase the speed and distance of each jump to increase the intensity.

Workout 3

Jump rope

With feet together, hop in place while keeping your elbows close to your torso and rotating your forearms clockwise. The exercise can be done with or without a jump rope.

Alternating punches

Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Alternate jabs with the right and left arms. Twist the torso towards the direction of the punch to work the core.

Side-to-side hops

With the feet together, envision a vertical line to your right. Hop back and forth over the line with both feet.

Cross-country ski

Stand with your right foot out in front and your left foot back. Jump and scissor your legs so the left foot is forward and the right foot is back when you land. Make big movements with your arms, raising your left arm overhead as your right foot moves forward, and then switch.

Walking sidekicks

Lift your right leg out to the side and kick your foot so that your leg is almost parallel to the floor. With each kick, step to the right. Repeat four times. Switch to the left leg, and repeat four times.

As always, please consult your physician before starting any new exercise routine.

Lori Rice, M.S., is a nutritional scientist and author with a passion for healthy cooking, exercise physiology, and food photography.