10 Best Short Stride Run Alternatives for Small Space Workouts

Ranked Short Stride Run Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Short Stride Run on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page. Harder versions are tagged as progressions and kept out of the top spot even when they score higher.

1. Best match

   Play demonstration

   1. High Knee Against Wall

   95% match

   • Cardio
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   It uses the same equipment and still works the heart and lungs.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand facing a wall with your feet hip-width apart.
   2. Place your hands on the wall for support.
   3. Engage your core and lift your right knee up towards your chest, while keeping your left foot on the ground.
   4. Quickly switch legs, bringing your left knee up towards your chest and lowering your right foot back down.
   5. Continue alternating legs in a running motion, bringing your knees up as high as possible.
   6. Maintain a fast pace and keep your upper body stable throughout the exercise.
   7. Repeat for the desired duration or number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Short Stride Run
2. Play demonstration

   Progression

   2. Wheel Run

   94% match

   • Cardio
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   Pick this when you want a harder version that still works the heart and lungs.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start in a plank position with your hands on the wheel and your body straight.
   2. Engage your core and start rolling the wheel forward by extending your arms.
   3. Continue rolling until your body is fully extended and your arms are overhead.
   4. Reverse the movement by pulling the wheel back towards your body, using your core and arms.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: running, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Short Stride Run
3. Play demonstration

   Progression

   3. Push To Run

   94% match

   • Cardio
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start in a push-up position with your hands shoulder-width apart and your body in a straight line.
   2. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping your body straight.
   3. Push through your hands to extend your arms and return to the starting position.
   4. Quickly bring one knee towards your chest, then quickly switch and bring the other knee towards your chest.
   5. Continue alternating knees as fast as you can while maintaining good form.
   6. Continue for the desired duration or number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: running, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Short Stride Run
4. Play demonstration

   4. Run

   87% match

   • Cardio
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   Pick this when you want to work the heart and lungs with less balance to manage.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start by standing upright with your feet hip-width apart.
   2. Engage your core and keep your upper body relaxed.
   3. Begin jogging in place, lifting your knees up towards your chest and landing softly on the balls of your feet.
   4. Maintain a steady pace and continue jogging for the desired duration or distance.
   5. Remember to breathe deeply and maintain good posture throughout the exercise.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: running, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Short Stride Run
5. Play demonstration

   5. Run (Equipment)

   87% match

   • Cardio
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start by standing upright with your feet hip-width apart.
   2. Engage your core and keep your upper body relaxed.
   3. Begin jogging in place, lifting your knees up towards your chest and landing softly on the balls of your feet.
   4. Maintain a steady pace and continue jogging for the desired duration or distance.
   5. Remember to breathe deeply and maintain good posture throughout the exercise.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: running, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Short Stride Run
6. Play demonstration

   6. Back And Forth Step

   85% match

   • Cardio
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   Pick this when you want an easier version that still works the heart and lungs.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
   2. Step forward with your right foot, bending your knee and lowering your body into a lunge position.
   3. Push off with your right foot and step back to the starting position.
   4. Repeat the movement with your left foot, alternating legs with each step.
   5. Continue stepping back and forth, maintaining a steady pace.
   6. Repeat for the desired duration or number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Short Stride Run
7. Play demonstration

   Progression

   7. Bear Crawl

   80% match

   • Cardio
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start on all fours with your hands directly under your shoulders and your knees directly under your hips.
   2. Lift your knees slightly off the ground, keeping your back flat and your core engaged.
   3. Move your right hand and left foot forward simultaneously, followed by your left hand and right foot.
   4. Continue crawling forward, alternating your hand and foot movements.
   5. Maintain a steady pace and keep your core tight throughout the exercise.
   6. Continue for the desired distance or time.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Body position: kneeling, not standing
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Short Stride Run
8. 

   8. Double Leg Butt Kick

   79% match

   • Hamstrings
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Begin standing with your knees slightly bent.
   2. Quickly squat a short distance, flexing the hips and knees, and immediately extend to jump for maximum vertical height.
   3. As you go up, tuck your heels by flexing the knees, attempting to touch the buttocks.
   4. Finish the motion by landing with the knees only partially bent, using your legs to absorb the impact.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: hamstrings, not your heart and lungs
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Short Stride Run
9. 

   Progression

   9. Linear 3-part Start Technique

   78% match

   • Hamstrings
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. This drill helps you accelerate as quickly as possible into a sprint from a dead stop. It helps to use a line to start from. Begin with two feet on the line. Place your left foot with the toe next to your right ankle. Place your right foot 4-6 inches behind the left.
   2. Place your right hand onto the line, and thing bring your nose close to your left knee.
   3. Squat down as you lean foward, your head being lower than your hips and your weight loaded onto the left leg. This will be your starting position.
   4. Take your left hand up so that it is parallel to the ground, pointing behind you, and explode out when ready.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: hamstrings, not your heart and lungs
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Short Stride Run
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Short Stride Run
10. 

    10. Single-cone Sprint Drill

    78% match

    • Quadriceps
    • Other
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    How to perform this exercise

    1. This drill teaches quick foot action. You need a single cone. Begin standing next to the cone with one arm back and one arm forward.
    2. Chop the feet as quickly as possible, blocking with the arms. Circle the cone, keep your knees up, with violent foot action.
    3. Rest after three trips around the cone.

    Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

    Why this matches

    • Movement: running, the same as the Short Stride Run
    • Primary muscle: quadriceps, not your heart and lungs
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Short Stride Run
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Short Stride Run
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Short Stride Run