Are you ready to get your heart pumping to burn fat–and fast?
High-intensity workouts can help you to burn fat and calories with ease. Additionally, if you’re tired of the daily runs and working out in the elements or running nowhere on a treadmill, it’s time to bring that workout indoors.
Toss your humble around-the-block run and use exercises targeted toward weight loss. Plus, changing your routine and trying something new is always helpful. It doesn’t mean that you’ll never run again; it just means that you are changing things to get the best workout for your body.
You must be careful when doing any cardio workout because it’s easy to overdo it and strain your muscles. You need to correct the intensity so that you don’t stress your body to the where it’s run down, and you can get sick.
Are You on the Cardio Bandwagon?
So many people jump on the cardio bandwagon but soon find out they are doing it all wrong. Many believe that doing it chronically is the best way to lose weight, tone your body, and stay healthy. While it can do all those things and more.
How do you know when you’re doing too much for yourself? Well, your body will tell you when you’re overdoing it. How often have you seen the same person on the treadmill at the gym?
Day in and day out, they are like a wall fixture because they spend so much time at the facility. The problem is that most of these people look the same regardless of their efforts. Their methods have few benefits as they seem like a hamster on a wheel going in circles.
It’s easy to become stuck in a rut with your workout. They run on this treadmill daily because they feel productive, yet they don’t seem different. Rather than changing and doing something else, they continue their monotonous routine.
The sad fact is that many people don’t even like to run. They do this exercise because it’s what they’ve been told or feels right. The good news is that other ways to lose weight besides running exist.
These Five Workouts Can Be Fun, Even When They Burn Fat
You can add some variety to your workout and make it fun—no need to pound the pavement of boredom looking for stellar results. Before you choose your new exercise routines, you want to see how much time you must devote. What are your goals for this workout, and what do you like to do?
Check out these five maneuvers if you’re looking for cardiovascular exercises that burn fat faster than running.
1. Cycling
Cycling is one of the most efficient, low-impact workouts around. You can make it as challenging or easy as possible since you set the intensity. Cycling will burn fat and keep you in good shape.
Do you ever wonder what all the benefits are of this highly touted workout? It can help you with weight management. It can increase your lower body strength. It’s excellent at improving your mental health as it keeps you focused on positive things rather than all the external distractions.
It’s one of the best workouts for beginners because it’s easy. Lastly, many find it improves their coordination, body balance, and posture. Who doesn’t need a little help with posture as you age?
Cycling is one of the best workouts, and you won’t feel like you’ve been beaten up after you’re done.
2. Strength Training
Resistance training is necessary for good bones and muscles, so it should be a part of your weekly routine. Many people don’t realize its benefits on your mind, specifically your mood.
Most people get lean and trim through these fat-burning exercises, but some will bulk up if they eat high protein and other muscle-enhancing foods. One thing to consider is that building more muscle will boost your metabolism. Did you know that muscle is a metabolic tissue?
It sounds strange. But the more muscle you have, your BMR or metabolic rate strengthens. While it shouldn’t be your first concern, you must focus on strengthening and building your muscles without going overboard. How do you build muscles? You can do a few of these maneuvers each day:
- Planks
- Crunches
- Pull-ups
- Push-ups
- Lunges
- Squats
- Dips
Now, if you can go to the gym and use their machinery, you will have a broader selection of options for your workout. You should focus on machines and equipment such as these:
- Exercise Bikes
- Bench and Shoulder Press
- Rowing Machines
- Kettle Bells
Doing various cardiovascular exercises can help you burn fat, sculpt your body, improve your metabolism, and you will feel great.
3. Full Body Circuit Training
You might want to use a combination if you’re looking for a high-intensity workout. For starters, using your body’s weight is advisable, but you can add cardio and weightlifting into the mix too. When you combine the three things, then it works a vast majority of your muscle tissue.
All the variations will be an excellent stimulator for burning fat and bulking your muscles. You want to use compound movements that will work multiple joints at once. Some examples of these types of exercises include:
- Pull-ups
- Push-ups
- Deadlifts
- Box Jumps
- Thrusters
- Kettlebell Swings
- Squats
You will find that doing these maneuvers benefits your body more than doing something like a calf raise. Another thing to consider is the order in which the exercises are performed. Try to group maneuvers that work the upper body together and those that work the lower body together.
You should consider alternating between your upper body and lower body so that you get full benefits from the time you spend. You should attempt three-minute rounds, about 10-12 of them. If done correctly, then you will be sweaty and exhausted when completed.
4. Stair Climbing
Try some stair climbs if you like running but must turn things up a bit. You can do these with a fast-paced intensity that will power up your workout. If you feel like plain running has caused you to hit a plateau, then stairs can be just what you need to break through to the next level.
You can run on hills or sand if you can’t access any stairs at your home. Both items will provide resistance to give you a different type of workout. Think of it this way, not only are you challenging your muscles in a new and exciting way, but you are also getting a great cardiovascular workout. Your heart rate will soar after a few minutes of these maneuvers.
5. Jump Rope
Putting jump rope on the list seems funny amidst all the other fantastic exercises. You can pick up one of these at a dollar store to work out for the day. What is it about a jump rope that is so effective?
First, you work on almost every major muscle group in your body. Think of the strength and endurance it takes to twirl that rope and jump up and down. It falls into the classification as a cardiorespiratory exercise, and it takes extraordinarily little space to do.
Since a jump rope is so compact, you can take it with you when you travel for a comfortable workout wherever you are at. A jump rope works those lower-leg muscles. Since it’s remarkably like a cyclic activity, it helps to improve your coordination.
One of the best things about this fat-burning exercise is that it improves cognitive function. It kicks those neurotransmitters in your brain into high gear and increases your serotonin and dopamine levels. Think of it as a natural antidepressant.
It’s easy to see why kids love jumping rope so much. It probably makes them feel better, both mentally and physically. Plus, you can do exciting things with that rope, and your imagination only limits you.
Final Thoughts: Are You Ready to Burn Fat?
Are you ready to burn fat and kick your saddlebags, spare tire, and love handles to the curb? You can do a whole-body makeover by just incorporating a few things into your routines.
Running is an excellent exercise for those who like to view all the scenery around them or use a treadmill indoors. However, too much of a good thing can become counterproductive. If you’re not getting the desired results from this type of workout, then it’s time to change things.
While there are five types of exercises listed here, there are many more that you can add to your routine to get some severe sculpting and burn fat too. Are you ready to take your workout up another notch?
