Exercise · Cardio moves

Jumping jacks

  • Cardio

Works: Heart, lungs, legs and shoulders.

Add to a routineUsed in 9 timer routines

How to do it

Line drawing of jumping jacks, seen from the front: standing with the feet together and arms by the sides, then the feet wide apart and the arms up overhead.
  1. Stand with your feet together and arms by your sides.
  2. Jump your feet out wider than your hips as you raise your arms out to the sides and up overhead.
  3. Jump your feet back together as your arms come down.
  4. Land softly on the balls of your feet with your knees slightly bent.

Watch out for

Landing on straight legs, and letting your arms flop.

Make it easier or harder

  1. 1Step jacks: step one foot out to the side as your arms go up, then bring it back in. Swap sides each time.
  2. 2Jumping jacks.
  3. 3Faster jumping jacks.
  4. 4Star jumps: dip into a quarter squat, then jump up, spreading your arms and legs wide into a star. Bring your feet together to land softly with bent knees.

Do the difficulty that suits you.

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Safety and disclaimer

The workouts, exercise instructions and effort guide on this page are general information for adults. They are not tailored to you, they are not medical or professional advice, and they may not be suitable for you. They do not replace advice from a professional who knows you. Although exercise can be good for your health, all exercise carries some risk of injury.

Get advice from a doctor, physiotherapist or other qualified health professional before you start if:

  • you have a heart or lung condition, high blood pressure, diabetes or any other long-term condition
  • you have ever had chest pain, fainting or dizziness, with or without exercise
  • you have an injury, a joint or back problem, or pain when you move
  • you are pregnant or have had a baby in the last year
  • you have recently had an operation, or been ill
  • you take medicine that affects your heart rate, blood pressure or balance
  • you are new to exercise, or coming back after a long break
  • a doctor or other professional has told you to limit or avoid exercise
  • you have any other concern about your health

Stop straight away if you get chest pain or tightness, feel faint or dizzy, become unusually short of breath, feel your heart racing or beating irregularly, or feel sharp pain. Call 999, or your local emergency number, if you have chest pain or tightness, or if any of these does not settle quickly with rest.

Start at a level that feels comfortable and build up gradually. Clear the space around you, use a floor that is not slippery, and make sure any chair, step, bench or equipment is sturdy and will not move.

You choose whether to do these exercises and how hard to work, and you do them at your own risk. Read our full Medical Disclaimer.