Best Cardio Exercises!

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Cardio is one of the most important things you can do for your body, whether you want to lose weight, burn fat or improve your health. The great thing is, there are plenty of choices for cardio exercise. Anything that gets your heart rate into your target heart rate zone will work, but there are some exercises that give you a little more bang for your buck.

1. Home Cardio Exercise:

there are plenty of cardio exercises you can do right in your own living room that can burn calories, depending on how hard you work. For example, if you have a jump rope, 145-lb person can burn a whopping 330 calories with a 30-minute workout. Of course, 30 minutes of jumping rope might kill just about anybody, but you can always start with a few minutes and work your way up. And the are other options:

Check out this web: http://exercise.about.com/od/homecardioworkouts/tp/Best-Home-Cardio-Exercises.htm

2.Running

Running is a great choice for a variety of reasons:

It doesn't require special equipment (except some quality shoes)
You can can do it just about anytime, anywhere
It's high impact, which helps build strong bones and connective tissue
It gets your heart rate up more quickly than low or no impact exercise
It helps you burn serious calories, especially if you add hills, sprints or try interval training.

More info:
How to start running-check this web:
http://running.about.com/od/getstartedwithrunning/a/beginnersguide.htm
3 weeks to a 30 minuets running habit-check this web:
http://running.about.com/od/trainingschedules/a/3weeksto30minuterunninghabit.htm
7 Secrets of Skinny Runners=check this web:
http://running.about.com/od/runningandweightloss/ss/skinnyrunners.htm

3.Elliptical Trainer

Next to the treadmill, the elliptical trainer is the most popular cardio machine at the gym and it's no wonder. The elliptical trainer allows your body to move in a natural way, but without the impact of the treadmill. You can add intensity by increasing resistance and some machines include adjustable ramps and arm handles for added intensity as well. As a bonus, you can go backwards on an elliptical trainer, adding variety while working your muscles in a different way.

More info:
Treadmills vs. Elliptical Trainers-check this web:
http://exercise.about.com/cs/exercisegear/a/treadelliptical.htm
Elliptical Trainer Interval Workout-check this web:
http://exercise.about.com/library/blellipticalinterval.htm

4.Bicycling

Whether you're outdoors or indoors, cycling is an excellent cardio workout. By using the power of your legs, you increase endurance while burning lots of calories, anywhere from 250-500 in 30 minutes, depending on how fast you go and how high your resistance is.

More info:
Find the right bike-check this web:
http://bicycling.about.com/od/howtoride/a/right_bike.htm

5.Swimming

Swimming is another great choice because, like cross-country skiing, it's a full body exercise. The more body parts you involve in your workout, the more calories you'll burn. Spend 30 minutes doing the breastroke and you'll burn almost 400 calories. Best of all, your joints are fully supported so you don't have to worry about high-impact injuries. It's also great cross-training for other cardio activities.

More info:
Swimming for weight lose-check this web:
http://swimming.about.com/od/nutrition/qt/Is_Swimming_a_Good_Exercise_for_Weight_Loss_.htm
Tips for better swimming-check this web:
http://swimming.about.com/od/swimtechniquehelp/tp/betterswimmingtips.htm

6.An Aerobic Step

Step aerobics is a workout for old people...at least, that's what my young clients tell me. It's true that traditional, choreographed step aerobics classes are a little on the wane, but if you like those classes or videos and you're still stepping, you can burn up to 300-400 calories in 30 minutes (during high intensity sessions).

More info:
Step up-check this web:
http://exercise.about.com/od/exerciseworkouts/ss/bestbuttexercis_3.htm
Side step up-check this web:
http://exercise.about.com/od/lowerbodyworkouts/ss/glutehipthighs2_2.htm
Jumping jack to the step-check this web:
http://exercise.about.com/od/cardioworkouts/ss/cardioexercises_5.htm
Sit and stand-check this web:
http://exercise.about.com/od/homecardioworkouts/ss/lowimpactcardioexercises_2.htm

7. Walking

Walking is another great choice for cardio because, like running, it's accessible: You don't need special equipment and you can do it anywhere, anytime. It's harder to get your heart rate up with walking since it's low impact but, if you work hard at it, a 145-lb person can burn about 180 calories in 30 minutes.
Adding hills, speedwalking or using walking poles can also increase the intensity. Make sure you walk briskly--pretend you're trying to catch a bus--and keep you head up, back straight and swing your arms.

More info:
Walking for weight lose-check this web:
http://exercise.about.com/cs/walking/a/walking.htm
Walk off the weight-check this web:
http://walking.about.com/od/weightloss/

I hope this thread is helpful for your Cardio Exercises!

** I'm not a trainer or a specialist!! I just made a research so everyone can get what they want from exercise!

Good luck to us:flowerforyou:

Hannah:wink:

Replies

  • mrsward2010
    mrsward2010 Posts: 61 Member
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    As much as i hate them i also LUUUURRRRVVVVEE BURPEES! They are hard work and tiring but gives you a full body workout and burns loads of calories. My Personal trainer adds them in quiet alot!!!

    http://www.12minuteathlete.com/burpees-are-awesome/
  • grandmothercharlie
    grandmothercharlie Posts: 1,361 Member
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    Great article. Thanks, Hannah.

    I stretch (mostly achilles) before my cardio, walk 1/2 mile. Ride stationary bike now for 25 minutes. Then 1/2 mile walk again with a lap or two of cool down. (Then I do free weights).

    I want to do water aerobics, but until I hit 200, I don't want to get in a bathing suit.

    I have to be very careful with aerobics because of my ICD. I try to keep my heartbeat between 108-115. That seems to be pretty good rate for me in a top performance to the low-end of high-performance level.
  • Polygontus
    Polygontus Posts: 218 Member
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    Awesome thread!
    I'm sure this'll help a lot of people.
    My typical cardio is 120-150 minutes of swimming, 5 days a week at the least. I also get about 30 min of walking fast at school hahah. Passing period is a pain. Lastly there's my PE class, 3 days a week. Right now we're doing Badminton ^_^
  • curvy_b3lle
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    Right now I only jog on the spot due to the crappy weather outside (good ole Canadian weather). I've also added in JM's arms & shoulders workout. Both equal to about 40 min total.

    I know, it's small but it's better than me sitting on my *kitten* all day! :laugh: