10 Best Wind Sprints Alternatives for Limited Space

Ranked Wind Sprints Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches Wind Sprints 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.

1. Play demonstration

   1. Wheel Run

   79% match

   • Cardio
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   A looser match: it uses the same equipment, but it works the heart and lungs rather than the abs.

   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 Wind Sprints
   • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, not abs
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as Wind Sprints
   • Body position: standing, the same as Wind Sprints
2. Play demonstration

   2. High Knee Against Wall

   78% match

   • Cardio
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   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, not abs
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as Wind Sprints
   • Body position: standing, the same as Wind Sprints
3. 

   3. Single-cone Sprint Drill

   77% match

   • Quadriceps
   • Other
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   A looser match: it works the quadriceps rather than the abs.

   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 Wind Sprints
   • Primary muscle: quadriceps, not abs
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as Wind Sprints
   • Body position: standing, the same as Wind Sprints
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than Wind Sprints
4. 

   4. Bench Sprint

   76% match

   • Glutes
   • Other
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   A looser match: it works the glutes rather than the abs.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand on the ground with one foot resting on a bench or box with your heel close to the edge.
   2. Push off with your foot on top of the bench, extending through the hip and knee.
   3. Land with the opposite foot on top of the box, returning your other foot back to the start position.
   4. Continue alternating from one foot to another to complete the set.

   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 Wind Sprints
   • Primary muscle: glutes, not abs
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as Wind Sprints
   • Body position: standing, the same as Wind Sprints
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than Wind Sprints
5. Play demonstration

   5. Push To Run

   73% 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 Wind Sprints
   • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, not abs
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as Wind Sprints
   • Body position: standing, the same as Wind Sprints
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than Wind Sprints
6. Play demonstration

   6. Short Stride Run

   73% match

   • Cardio
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Find an open space or a treadmill to perform the exercise.
   2. Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart.
   3. Start jogging in place, lifting your knees high and pumping your arms.
   4. After a few seconds, start taking short strides forward, maintaining a quick pace.
   5. Continue running with short strides for the desired duration or distance.

   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 Wind Sprints
   • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, not abs
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as Wind Sprints
   • Body position: standing, the same as Wind Sprints
7. 

   7. Side To Side Box Shuffle

   73% match

   • Quadriceps
   • Other
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand to one side of the box with your left foot resting on the middle of it.
   2. To begin, jump up and over to the other side of the box, landing with your right foot on top of the box and your left foot on the floor. Swing your arms to aid your movement.
   3. Continue shuffling back and forth across the box.

   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: quadriceps, not abs
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as Wind Sprints
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than Wind Sprints
8. 

   8. Carioca Quick Step

   73% match

   • Adductors
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Begin with your feet a few inches apart and your left arm up in a relaxed, athletic position.
   2. With your right foot, quick step behind and pull the knee up.
   3. Fire your arms back up when you pull the right knee, being sure that your knee goes straight up and down. Avoid turning your feet as you move and continue to look forward as you move to the side.

   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: adductors, not abs
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as Wind Sprints
   • Body position: standing, the same as Wind Sprints
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than Wind Sprints
9. 

   9. Linear 3-part Start Technique

   73% 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 abs
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as Wind Sprints
   • Body position: standing, the same as Wind Sprints
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than Wind Sprints
10. 

    10. Side Hop-sprint

    72% match

    • Quadriceps
    • Other
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Stand to the side of a cone or hurdle.
    2. Begin this drill by hopping sideways over the obstacle, rebounding out of your landing to hop back to where you started.
    3. Hop for a prescribed number or repetitions as quickly as possible, and finish this drill by sprinting a short distance upon landing the last hop.

    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 Wind Sprints
    • Primary muscle: quadriceps, not abs
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as Wind Sprints
    • Body position: standing, the same as Wind Sprints
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than Wind Sprints