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Even if your vacation is still several months away, it’s never too early to start working on your bikini body. That’s to say when it comes to intense cardio workouts, this easy 15-minute ballet-inspired workout is one of the fastest ways to tone your abs and legs. Most importantly, it will do strength training and give you that long and lean figure you’ve always dreamed of.
So, if you are looking for cardio workouts for beginners, you’ll find that this is fun and easy to do several times a week!
The Right Outfits for Your Workout
No workout is complete without the right outfit! There are many stores you could shop at, but we’re especially partial to clothes from FP Movement. You can choose from a variety of comfortable styles. Shop the Get Your Flirt On shorts for bottoms that will keep you feeling cute and cool!
But you can’t work out without the right shoes! If you need to get a new pair of kicks to keep your feet safe and supported, take a look at this pair from Adidas!
They’re lightweight, attractive, and will match many of your workout outfits! Even better, they’re built for running. So, if you try out the routine below and decide you want something heavier on cardio, these shoes are still a great choice!
Instructions for Ballet Cardio Workout
- We will start with the Second Pose Plié, which is a common position in most ballet cardio workouts. With your arms held out and your legs in a wide stance, bend your knees and squat down. Continue moving up and down in a pulsing movement for 30 seconds.
- The second stance of this set is called the Second Pose Developpé. Start with your legs spread and your hands in the air (like a starfish). As you bend your knees and squat down, cross your arms. Then, unfold your arms and stand back up, so you are once again in the starfish position. Continue these movements for 15 seconds.
- The cardio workout at home requires you to repeat the above poses once more. Continue with a second round of the Second Pose Plié for 30 seconds.
Developpé
- Repeat the Second Pose Developpé for 15 seconds.
- With your right hand held out, cross your left leg behind your right in a curtsey motion, otherwise known as the Fourth Position in ballet-inspired cardio workouts. Then raise your left leg in the air as high and as straight as possible. Continue this motion for 30 seconds.
- Using your same left leg, make a Third Pose Plié for 15 seconds.
- Repeat step 5 (the curtsey/Fourth Position Pose) for another 15 seconds.
- Change legs for 15 seconds.
- Now, we will do the same poses on the right leg. With your left hand held out, cross your right leg behind your left in a curtsey motion for the Fourth Position. Then raise your right leg in the air as high and as straight as possible. Continue this motion for 30 seconds.
Plié
- Using your same right leg, make a Third Pose Plié for 15 seconds.
- Repeat step 9 (the curtsey/Fourth Position Pose) for another 15 seconds.
- Change legs for 15 seconds.
Arabesque
- As with other ballet-style cardio workouts, we will now do the Arabesque position. Holding on to a bar, chair, or other support for stability, left your left leg from behind. Move your leg up and down for 30 seconds.
- Now, hold your leg up in the Arabesque position for 15 seconds. Sometimes, this isn’t the easiest cardio workout beginner pose, so don’t worry if your legs start to burn!
- Switch to the Arabesque position with your right leg. Move your leg up and down for 30 seconds.
- Hold the Arabesque position for 15 seconds on your right leg.
Abs
- The best cardio workouts also strengthen your abs, so hop on the floor and get ready! That said, we recommend a yoga mat to help support your back. Lay on the ground with your legs in the butterfly position. Hold this pose for 30 seconds.
- With your hands behind your head, lift up in a sit-up pose and hold for 30 seconds.
- Lay back down and rest for 15 seconds.
- With your back still on the ground, lift your left leg into the air at an angle. Continue with sit-ups for 30 seconds.
- Lay back down and rest for 15 seconds.
- Lift your right leg into the air at an angle, and continue with sit-ups for another 30 seconds.
- With your left leg stretched straight, move in a sit-up position towards your left side for 30 seconds.
- Lay back down and rest for 15 seconds.
- With your right leg stretched straight, move in a sit-up position towards your right side for 30 seconds.
- Lay back down and rest for 15 seconds.
Side Plank
- The next pose can be a little complicated, especially for a cardio workout beginner. Move into a side plank position on your right arm. Your right leg is stretched out straight, and your left leg is bent on the ground. Then lift your hips into the air with your left leg supporting you on the ground, and stretch your arm over your head.
- Continue the same pose on the other leg.
- Grab some water, a healthy snack, and give yourself a pat on the back! You just completed one of the best toning cardio workouts for your abs and legs!
Even if you’re a complete cardio workout beginner, these steps will help you tone those hard to reach ab and leg muscles. Best of all, ballet-inspired cardio workouts are not just graceful, but they’re also one of the strongest forms of exercise you can get.
Next, feel free to check out a few of our other exercise workouts, including 7-minute abs and 20-minute full-body HIIT. Then with these exercises and a little motivation, you’ll be prepared for swimsuit season in no time!
