Help! What is the best exercise/dvd/machine to lose weight?

saral8981
saral8981 Posts: 65 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi! I recently joined a gym and need to know what are the best machines to use. I see a lot of people use the elliptical but it is a little to hard for me to do yet. I am on the eilliptical for 5 minutes and my heart rate sky rockets and I feel like I am going to pass out. What is a good machine to use to burn the most calories without over doing it?
Also what is a good dvd to use on the days I can't make it to the gym? I see many people seem to like the 30 day shred.

Thanks

Replies

  • waldo56
    waldo56 Posts: 1,861 Member
    Your legs.

    Walking is by far the best weight loss exercise, and no matter what, there is absolutely no excuse why you can't do it. You can walk when you are sick. You can walk when you are sleepy. You can walk when you are sore. You can walk when you are ____. If you are too ____ to walk, you are just plain lazy.

    And you can walk A TON. There is no such thing as overtraining with walking. You can walk a few hours every day without issue. The time can be found. Walk up 30 minutes early and go for a walk. Walk on your lunchbreak. Get a dog, and walk it all the time. Any other stuff you do, machines, dvd's, and whatnot should be in addition to walking, not instead of walking.

    Although in the grant scheme of things it is relatively important, a higher % of the calories you burn when walking are fat than practically any other exercise. I say this is unimportant because you can burn fat much faster when running or doing other activities, however when it comes to the proportion of calories burned as fat, walking is king.

    Walking is without question the best weight loss exercise.
  • saral8981
    saral8981 Posts: 65 Member
    :smile: Thanks for the info! I do have a dog that I walk several times a week. In your opnion, how many minutes or miles should I aim for a day?
  • LessJos
    LessJos Posts: 113 Member
    :smile: Thanks for the info! I do have a dog that I walk several times a week. In your opnion, how many minutes or miles should I aim for a day?

    I would say as much as you can. There is hardly any overdoing with walking.
    I also suggest increasing time and/or speed overtime.
    You dog will be a happy camper...uh walker :-)
    Go out and have fun!
  • LessJos
    LessJos Posts: 113 Member
    Something else... if you really, really want DVDs I would suggest Jillian Michaels' DVDs. They are challenging but I find her motivating and the exercises are a good mix of cardio and resistance training. Usually one workout is 20 minutes, so quite easy to fit into a busy day.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    The best one is the one you find enjoyable enough to do for a lifetime. Likely that will be a few things so that you don't get sick of it. Walk, run, hike, bike, lift, push, pull, pedal, jump, squat, lunge, move, move, move. It doesn't matter what it is, just do it consistently and as intensely as you can handle.
  • pandafoo
    pandafoo Posts: 367 Member
    I like the suggestion for walking. At the gym, try varying the incline on the treadmill - my previous trainer showed me that if the incline is high enough, you can burn as many calories walking and get your HR up as if you were jogging. You can slowly work your way up to a steeper incline as you feel more comfortable. I also like the stationary bike.

    As for DVDs, I really like Turbojam and Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. If you're willing to spend more money, the Turbofire and Brazil Butt Lift DVDs are also very good.
  • ShannonMpls
    ShannonMpls Posts: 1,936 Member
    Honestly, ANY exercise you enjoy and will continue to do it. If the elliptical is too much right now, start by walking. When walking becomes simple, try the elliptical with a goal of 5 minutes, 10, etc.

    If your gym has classes, you could try those too - they can be fun, a good way to meet new people and try new things.
  • pulsate
    pulsate Posts: 10 Member
    I agree. In all honesty, walking in the best way to go about losing exercise. so long as you're not sluggish, and walk and a fast enough pace to "feel the burn", then you're doing a great job. Machines are generally only good for toning up, and although important to do, not as important as the cardio.

    If you want advancement you can always set the treadmill at a higher incline, making it a little harder to climb. Personally the elliptical machines make my legs go numb, and it's not an actual movement youre body does on a regular basis.

    I try to do intervals on the treadmill, or even outside. Depending on your fitness level, just do a walk/jog back and forth. Normally I try to do walking for 5 minutes, joging at light paces for five minutes. You can increase either more or less, like jogging 1 minute, and walking 5-9, or the vice vera of that.

    You shouldn't have to leave the gym completely busted and exhausted and in pain.. Otherwise you won't want to go back again. so keep it light, but enough that you can work up a bit of a sweat and an elevated heart rate.

    :)
  • saral8981
    saral8981 Posts: 65 Member
    Something else... if you really, really want DVDs I would suggest Jillian Michaels' DVDs. They are challenging but I find her motivating and the exercises are a good mix of cardio and resistance training. Usually one workout is 20 minutes, so quite easy to fit into a busy day.

    The reason why I am interested in the DVDS is because I livein Northeast ohio and its not always feasable to walk outside, and the treadmill gets so boring for me. Doing a dvd once or 2x a week might break up the week a little bit. Which one do you think i should start with? the 30 day shred?
  • saral8981
    saral8981 Posts: 65 Member
    Thanks for all the ideas everyone! I am taking my dogs for a LONG walk tonight :tongue:
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Something else... if you really, really want DVDs I would suggest Jillian Michaels' DVDs. They are challenging but I find her motivating and the exercises are a good mix of cardio and resistance training. Usually one workout is 20 minutes, so quite easy to fit into a busy day.

    The reason why I am interested in the DVDS is because I livein Northeast ohio and its not always feasable to walk outside, and the treadmill gets so boring for me. Doing a dvd once or 2x a week might break up the week a little bit. Which one do you think i should start with? the 30 day shred?

    Walk At Home are indoor "walking" videos. I use these often - too hot, rainy, etc. No excuses .... I can do these anytime.

    Here's a video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnsfbneFQ_8&feature=related

    I recommend Ultimate 5 Day Walk Plan (at Walmart, Target, etc). This has 5 miles and some short toning sections (programmable) ... just mix and match whatever pieces you like.

    As far as 30 Day Shred - many people like it. This is very high impact and too hard on my knees.
  • Galleon1235
    Galleon1235 Posts: 7
    I would suggest circuit type training at the gym, but this can be difficult on a busy day. I do 20 min total with each station being for 2 min with a 30 second rest between each station. This means decide what parts of your body you want to workout that day and hit each station in that manner. This would be an example that I use for my workouts.

    Treadmill 8.5 miles an hour
    pushups
    situps
    shadow boxing
    triceps

    then repeat each cycle until you hit the twenty min goal.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    If it's a DVD workout you want, try Zumba. So FUN and a real calorie burner.
  • LessJos
    LessJos Posts: 113 Member
    Something else... if you really, really want DVDs I would suggest Jillian Michaels' DVDs. They are challenging but I find her motivating and the exercises are a good mix of cardio and resistance training. Usually one workout is 20 minutes, so quite easy to fit into a busy day.

    The reason why I am interested in the DVDS is because I livein Northeast ohio and its not always feasable to walk outside, and the treadmill gets so boring for me. Doing a dvd once or 2x a week might break up the week a little bit. Which one do you think i should start with? the 30 day shred?

    I would say any Jillian DVD is good. I started with 30 day shred, also have ripped in 30 and the new kickboxing one. My favorite is probably ripped in 30.

    Go to http://www.collagevideo.com they have pretty much every fitness DVD that is out there and you can watch short video clips to see what it's like. They also tell you if you need equipment. Jillian's usually don't apart from a may and light hand weights. Both optional for total beginners in my opinion. You can def start without dumb bells and add them later.

    Videos are great because they are short for quick workouts and you can do them at any time. No excuses.
  • LynC33
    LynC33 Posts: 196
    The Zumba dvds are super fun!! At the gym I love the treadmills and bikes but am slowly building up fitness for the dreaded elliptical trainer.
  • Theresafinallygetsitright
    Theresafinallygetsitright Posts: 157
    The best one is the one you find enjoyable enough to do for a lifetime. Likely that will be a few things so that you don't get sick of it. Walk, run, hike, bike, lift, push, pull, pedal, jump, squat, lunge, move, move, move. It doesn't matter what it is, just do it consistently and as intensely as you can handle.

    This!!!
  • LessJos
    LessJos Posts: 113 Member
    There is a question: why is everybody so dead set on that stupid elliptical? What is it doing for you? To me it is a totally unnatural movement. Why use an elliptical at all?
  • saral8981
    saral8981 Posts: 65 Member
    There is a question: why is everybody so dead set on that stupid elliptical? What is it doing for you? To me it is a totally unnatural movement. Why use an elliptical at all?

    I have often asked this question myself. It killer on my knees! I often opt for the stationary bike instead.
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