Cheeky Monkey is light cardio with playful energy - the kind of session that sneaks fitness in while you’re having fun. Alternating knee-to-elbows with half jacks and step jacks keeps your heart rate up without hammering your joints, while working hips, obliques, shoulders and calves. The pattern is simple, the rhythm is bouncy, and the coordination boost is real. It’s perfect as a morning wake-up, a study/work break, or an easy conditioning block on days you want movement without mayhem.

Keep the technique tidy to get the most out of it: on knee-to-elbows, stay tall, keep hands lightly behind your head and drive the knee across to meet the elbow - think rib to hip, not head to knee. For half jacks and step jacks, land softly, open the chest and make your arm reach clean and deliberate. Choose the level that matches your energy (3, 5 or 7 sets) and use the up-to-2-minute rest to shake out the legs. Feeling extra cheeky? Turn some step jacks into full jacks and see how your engine responds.