Best cardio routine for weight loss/toning?

mykes13

I would like to establish a regular cardio routine for my morning workouts, but I'm not sure what to do. Previously, I was doing an hour on the elliptical four to five days a week. I would alternate between the "fat burner" program and the "leg toner" program, but I'm thinking that might not be enough variety to make a difference. I also do weight training four to five times per week.

Does anyone have any insight on this? Is it possible to get a good mix without running? I hate running!!

khall86790

Jillian Michaels - Burn Fat Boost Metabolism is a great cardio workout.

CALake

If you're looking to tone I'd try a program like Insanity or TapouT XT that has strength moves built in to the cardio.

rmxtube

Insanity by Shaun t

MelissR75

Jillian Michaels - Burn Fat Boost Metabolism is a great cardio workout.

^^ Definitely a killer workout!

LadyIntrepid

Get your cardio in, for sure, but there's nothing like strength training for toning. A program that incorporates both is ideal.

mykes13

Thank you for the responses! It's difficult for me to do at-home workouts, I need the routine of the gym. What about workout on the actual cardio machines?

Hiit_Girl

if you are currently doing steady state cardio on the machines look into modifying your workouts to Hiit style. It will shorten your workout time and be a better boost for you metabolism post workout. There are many versions of hiit and you can do it on any cardio machine...treadmill, eliptical, bike, etc. etc. Google hiit and you will find lots of options and routines you could follow. Hiit style also helps preserve muscle vs. the catabolising effect excessive steady state cardio has on muscles, at least that is what is written about it. A short summary is that you go really hard (targeting 90+ max heart rate for an intensity burst--often people target a minute or 90 seconds) then follow it with a recovery period where you get your heart rate back down to around 70% maximum (I often do 3-4 minute periods) and repeat this a certain number of times...starting out with 3 or 4. Hiit routines should stay short 30-40 minutes is more than enough. Check it out. I love them but they are intense.


Looking back at your post I see you hate running BTW I don't care for it much either but with Hiit it is just 60-90 seconds of run your *kitten* off and then you can walk 3-4 minutes....it isn't bad and the run is over before you know it...and it feels fricken fabulous when you are done!! :flowerforyou: you might get hooked!

Jonette01

I agree... you'd be surprised at how much you burn (and sweat) while doing weight/resistance training!!

Depends on what your goal is. I do the StairClimber for my cardio because I hate running as well and I didn't want to get "stick thin". You can strengthen the thighs and glutes in amazing ways with this machine!

A guy at the gym actually recommended it when he admitted he had been watching me for a couple weeks (freaked me out at first). He said I do way too much cardio and that I would lose my curves doing that. He hinted I would look like "the white girls up there." *please don't take this offensively* I know he was referring more to their physique. He pointed at the ladies who normally run miles on the treadmill and have NO shape.

I took his advice and it's been AWESOME at defining my hour glass figure. The 15m (Interval Training) has become part of my workout routine... I started doing 5m straight... and that was no joke! The Interval Training is probably best for me; the machine will alternate between 1m at the highest level (I do lvl 8) and 1m at the lowest level (lvl 3 for me) for the time you specify, after that I'm all about weight lifting, tons of squats and core exercises.

Cr01502

HIIT coupled with strength training.

Moazam363

How about skipping rope and swimming?

krystina_letitia9

C25K? I love it.

Sorry - I just saw the end where you said you hate running :ohwell:

NobodyInParticular

Start lifting weights. Seriously.

ApexLeader

just skip rope for 30 minutes

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carlom18

lift weights 3 times a week min, cardio 2 to 3 times a week in HIIT style and that is all you need really as long with the most important factor, diet (80/20, remember that)

liyana1234

i love doing this workout everday

Hiit_Girl

if you are currently doing steady state cardio on the machines look into modifying your workouts to Hiit style. It will shorten your workout time and be a better boost for you metabolism post workout. There are many versions of hiit and you can do it on any cardio machine...treadmill, eliptical, bike, etc. etc. Google hiit and you will find lots of options and routines you could follow. Hiit style also helps preserve muscle vs. the catabolising effect excessive steady state cardio has on muscles, at least that is what is written about it. A short summary is that you go really hard (targeting 90+ max heart rate for an intensity burst--often people target a minute or 90 seconds) then follow it with a recovery period where you get your heart rate back down to around 70% maximum (I often do 3-4 minute periods) and repeat this a certain number of times...starting out with 3 or 4. Hiit routines should stay short 30-40 minutes is more than enough. Check it out. I love them but they are intense.


Looking back at your post I see you hate running BTW I don't care for it much either but with Hiit it is just 60-90 seconds of run your *kitten* off and then you can walk 3-4 minutes....it isn't bad and the run is over before you know it...and it feels fricken fabulous when you are done!! :flowerforyou: you might get hooked!

If you can do HIIT for 40 minutes its not truly HIIT. Your walk shouldn't be 3-4 minutes. Sprint and walk/job should be the same time frame.

Don't be so quick to think your definition of hiit is the only one....have an open mind..

http://www.notyouraveragefitnesstips.com/best-workout-routines/best-cardio-for-weight-loss-hiit-workout-routine

DISCLAIMER: I do not agree with the statement in the article about lifting resulting in bigger legs...if you eat at a deficit lifting will not "bulk" your legs and is a great way to burn calories too

skcardiog

Sit yourself down on a rowing machine for 20 minutes.

Strength and cardio at the same time.

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Elle408

Sit yourself down on a rowing machine for 20 minutes.

Strength and cardio at the same time.

This, watch some videos to learn proper technique and then hit the rowing machine. I've never had such an intense workout as attempting to do a 2km piece in race conditions (this takes about 8mins) and you'll feel it everywhere! It's great for core muscles, as well as being amazing on your thighs and shoulders.

My0WNinspiration

Circuit training

succubaeangel

Maybe you'll like a boxing style cardio? Punching a bag, rope ect.

ambervaldez79

I tried to do exercise videos at home. Hated it! I have found that strength training is awesome with about 15 minutes of cardio done afterwards. On days that I don't do strength training I will try to take a class at the gym. They are usually an hour long and really fun. This morning I am going to a class called Body Step. It is HIIT step aerobics.

Kst76

I love running. I run for an hour and then I do the elliptical for 30 minutes. After that I do weight training.

kdiamond

I agree - HIIT

I HATE HATE HATE running, but I do 2 sessions of 20 minutes of HIIT on the treadmill per week and I'm able to keep my cardio in check.

My routine is 2 min warmup fast walk, 1 min jog, 30 second sprint, 1.5 min fast walk recovery, then repeat the 1 min jog, etc., until I hit 20 minutes. It isn't fun, but it goes fast and my heartrate goes through the ROOF.

fruitloop2

HIIT coupled with strength training.

This! Interval training is a great cardio workout for burning fat along with strength turning. You can do HIIT on any machine or any cardio exercise really.

bradwwood

opinions are like..... well, you know. So far you've gotten plenty of good ones here.

Unfortunately there is a lot of narrow mindedness when it comes to working out. Everyone thinks their routine is the right routine. For them maybe it is, but it might not be for you. Obviously there are things that will work better for one goal over the other, but that doesn't mean you should do something you don't enjoy.

The best option is one you will do consistently. Pick something, if you don't like it, don't be afraid to change your mind. You will learn along the way what you like and what you don't.

mykes13

This is so motivating! I'm starting today with HIIT and rowing (along with weight raining of course)! This is my first workout since joining MFP. Here goes nothing!

bradwwood

This is so motivating! I'm starting today with HIIT and rowing (along with weight raining of course)! This is my first workout since joining MFP. Here goes nothing!

have fun!!

remember that you probably won't do too much at first. start slow and work your way into it. if you hurt yourself, or just over do it and ache too much, you are less likely to do it again.

for what its worth, I guess what I do is sort of HIIT. Its a combo of cardio and strength building with alternating levels of intensity, and it lasts a total of 40'ish minutes including warmup and cooldown. It is quite the workout and you really feel like you've done something in that short period of time.

gerard54

Interval, go hard in the high incline and resistance, take it easy the lower part...