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I was thinking about doing jumping jacks and I was wondering if they were actually a good cardeovascular exercise. Are they worth doing regularly?

Yes, they are, if you do a bunch of them.

Are they a good substitute for walking or running?

you'll probably lose interest in doing jumping jacks alot more quickly than you would walking or running. Plus i'm fairly certain it doesn't get your heart rate up nearly as quickly as with running or walking.

Crom wrote:Are they a good substitute for walking or running?

No, do them in addition to walking or running.

THE SIDE-STRADLE HOP!

START POSITION... MOVE!

IN CADENCE!

EXERCISE!!!

*ahem*

A better one:
1. Start in a standing position.
2. Squat down, placing your hands flat on the ground next to you feet on the outside.
3. Thrust your legs back so that you are in the position to do a pushup.
4. Do one pushup.
5. Pull your legs back in so that you are in the squatting position again.
6. Stand upright.

Repeat very quickly.

I sprint wearing a 20 kg backpack. WAY more exertion there.

They work as part of a warmup to prepare for other exercises, but doing them for exercise isn't all that great. It works, sort of, but it's boring as hell. Take a walk or jog around the block, it's a lot more useful I think and not nearly as monotonous.

It's true to say that they're boring. But you try doing jumping jacks for 10 minutes as fast as you can and you'll find that it's just as hard if not hard than running.

Ever wonder why the military calls them the "side straddle hop?" That just sounds retarded.

Saurencaerthai wrote:A better one:
1. Start in a standing position.
2. Squat down, placing your hands flat on the ground next to you feet on the outside.
3. Thrust your legs back so that you are in the position to do a pushup.
4. Do one pushup.
5. Pull your legs back in so that you are in the squatting position again.
6. Stand upright.

Repeat very quickly.

I was taught a slightly different version of that, instead of squatting bend at the waist and try to touch the floor with your hands. Then walk forwards on your hands until you are in push up position. Other than that its the same, a very good strength exercise.

Crom wrote:I was thinking about doing jumping jacks and I was wondering if they were actually a good cardeovascular exercise.

Probably not; I think they lean toward tone more then cardiovascular, unless you do a shit load very quickly.

Are they worth doing regularly?

I'll transfer 10 euro to your bank account if you're still doing this after 3 months, everyday. No way, too boring...

Look guys, I am ACE certified and I can tell you that jumping jacks are a cardiovascular exercise, just like walking, running, bicycling...etc. Since I am a body builder, my cardio is mostly running because I find it to be the most effective for getting the old heartbeat up.

I find jumping jacks to be a mediocre exercise at best.

A better one:
1. Start in a standing position.
2. Squat down, placing your hands flat on the ground next to you feet on the outside.
3. Thrust your legs back so that you are in the position to do a pushup.
4. Do one pushup.
5. Pull your legs back in so that you are in the squatting position again.
6. Stand upright.

Repeat very quickly.

My fencing coach has us do the same, except instead of standing up, we jump up. It's quite good.
Especially when you get to make others do them

From my experience, jumping jacks are much better as a complement to other exercises than as an exercise in and of itself. For one thing, they require little room to do, and are slightly more entertaining than running in place. Thus, if your short on space, do 100 before doing anything else.
Also, they get blood flowing to all four extremities, raise the heartrate some, and do a few other things. I'd say don't try to do jumping jacks alone for exercise, but rather do 100 *before* you do your other exercises, and you'll find that your body will be in a much better condition to do those exercises.

-Damien

WacoKid wrote:

A better one:
1. Start in a standing position.
2. Squat down, placing your hands flat on the ground next to you feet on the outside.
3. Thrust your legs back so that you are in the position to do a pushup.
4. Do one pushup.
5. Pull your legs back in so that you are in the squatting position again.
6. Stand upright.

Repeat very quickly.

My fencing coach has us do the same, except instead of standing up, we jump up. It's quite good.
Especially when you get to make others do them

That's actually a good addendum to it, as it will work your calves a bit mroe.