Does a punch bag count as cardio

Stoner

I started working out again after about 3 years, i had developed a heart condition after a car crash, before the crash i went to the gym about 2/3 times a week and enjoyed it alot, but i was doing too little cardio, thing is i could never run, i hate it , rowing machines are about the best i can handle, i'm not in a gym anymore and i have set up the garage for get fit reasons, I'm happy with the weights i have etc but for cardio exercise i have one of those little step climbing machines, i find it tough and it gets me out of breath, I also have a punch bag and i find it very draining, I try to do 3 min sessions on the bag, and then lift weights and 3 sets of 500 steps on the stepper etc,
so are the stepper and the punchbag in the cardio range of exercises, is being out of breath and the heart beating fast a basic indicator that they are?
when lifting weights i try to start heavy and work down , failing the body each time, but i found that with only one set of arm exercise along with the punch bag has the same efect,
I guess I'm trying to work out if the punchnag is really like doing cardio/weights at the same time, or should i get an exercise bike (please dont recommend running)

Guvnor

Yes they are. However with your physical history it might be wise to do some warming up via skipping or shadow boxing before laying into the punch bag. I would also suggest that doing 60-90 second rounds would be better with maybe some skipping in between.

HTH