Lets face it, most of us live pretty busy lives and the amount of time spent exercising does eat up what little free time a lot of us have. I don't like to waste my free time anymore than anyone else so if I am going to use it up on an activity, I feel the rewards of the activity should out way the cost.
That being said, one of the activities that I add to my workout routines is a cardio program. I'll be blunt in stating that I love to lift weights but I absolutely loathe doing cardio. I personally do not enjoy cardio at all but I do understand how it is very important to my workout regimen. So, if I am going to invest my time in a cardio routine, you better believe I am going to make sure that I am maximizing the benefit of that routine.
There's a lot of great cardio equipment out there and I personally use a variety of them ranging anywhere from treadmills, to exercise bikes to stair steppers and more. My main focus for this article will be treadmills since they appear to be the most popular of the cardio equipment. However the same principles can be applied to other cardio equipment too.
Slow down, it's not a race
I have found that I burn fatter moving at a moderate pace than an all out sprint. When you go out at a 100% you burn more glycogen than fat. Basically your burning carbohydrates instead of your fat stores. The idea to effectively burn fat is to go at a moderate pace for a longer period of time.
Moderate pace means just that, not too fast and not too slow. On a treadmill I like to walk at a fast enough pace where I am building up a sweat but I could also hold a conversation without panting. The keyword here is walk, I believe that once you start jogging and running you are really moving away from the optimal fat burning pace.
Short and sweet isn't the key
Your cardio time should range anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes. However, I also believe that your body can only take so much exercise at a time. Therefore if you plan on an hour and a half cardio session I would recommend splitting up your cardio into two sessions: one for the morning and then one in the evening. I have tested all types of cardio durations and workout times on my own body and found that a good 40 to 45 minute session in the morning works the best for me.
If you're going to do it, do it right
Always perform a full range of motion on your exercise equipment. Don't cheat yourself by taking baby steps. On the treadmill take long strides instead of short little steps. By taking the longer strides you will work the hamstrings and glutes (back of the leg and buttocks) more.
In addition to talking longer strides try to avoid holding on to the rails of the treadmill. Let your arms move back and forth as you would when running. You will be surprised of the difference of not holding on to the exercise equipment if you are already use to holding on to the treadmill, stair stepper or any other exercise equipment while performing the exercise.
If you don't believe me, try it out for one workout and I promise you will feel the difference in a matter of minutes.
Note: If you feel that you must hold on to avoid falling or getting hurt then by all means hold on.
Breathe
I like to take deep breaths in the nose and out the mouth when doing cardio exercise. I find that I focus more on the activity at hand when I concentrate on my breathing. I also have found that I sweat more too. I know it sounds crazy but give it a try and I bet you will notice a difference too.
Note: Not over exaggerated deep breathes but not short breaths either.
Tying it all together
I conclusion I personally feel that if I am going to add cardio to my workout routine then I want to do whatever it takes to maximize the workouts benefits. I have personally found that I more efficiently burn body fat by slowing my pace down, increasing my cardio workouts over a longer duration, using full range of motion on the equipment and breathing correctly. Go ahead and give these ideas a try and see if they work for you too.
Gerald Gore is the owner of the online fitness review site One4Fitness. For more health and fitness related tips and reviews on workout equipment visit Gerald's site at http://www.one4fitness.com.
efficient cleaning crew Lake Forest ..You don't realize it, but in the next few minutes... Read More
While exercising isn't complicated, it's very easy to make mistakes.... Read More
Are there any foods that burn body fat? If yes,... Read More
Have you heard about coconut oil diets yet? People are... Read More
Offer a woman the choice between a dress she likes... Read More
Everyone has their own individual reason for joining a health... Read More
If you were going to travel to the other side... Read More
When I decided to lose weight I of course decided... Read More
Are you one of the many people who feel frustrated... Read More
Obesity still remains one of the commonest avoidable causes of... Read More
Metabolism is essentially the speed at which our body's motor... Read More
Most Americans do not get enough calcium in their diets;... Read More
Do you know that while you work out the muscles... Read More
To say that Americans are obsessed with dieting is an... Read More
I did it without starving myself or taking pills. How... Read More
When you have started a diet in the past, how... Read More
Today's society is about speed. We no longer have to... Read More
This little known secret has been used by bodybuilders for... Read More
As a weight loss mentor it never ceases to amaze... Read More
As a Master swimmer I am made painfully aware, each... Read More
You are going to be pleasantly surprised! Most people think... Read More
Both men and women around the world are becoming fatter... Read More
Tip 1) DRINK A GLASS OF WATER AFTER EACH SNACKThis... Read More
You have heard enough about losing weight with various means... Read More
Everywhere we look in the western world we are inundated... Read More
green cleaning service Deerfield ..Everywhere we look in the western world we are inundated... Read More
The cost of gastric bypass surgery and other bariatric surgical... Read More
Once upon a time, I fretted about going to a... Read More
There are tons of fad diets and weight loss schemes... Read More
It's easy to lose sight of our goals, "Do I... Read More
Weighing more than is normal, necessary, or allowed, especially having... Read More
Obesity is now assuming epidemic proportions. Worldwide there are over... Read More
Are you or your family members amongst the 65%?To help... Read More
The percentage of Americans who are overweight and obese is... Read More
In a gastric bypass the connection between he stomach pouch... Read More
The heated debate, within diet circles, that began a few... Read More
"Unless that apple tastes like the best apple you've ever... Read More
Americans have their French fries, the British have their chips,... Read More
As our bodies move from Winter into Spring we can... Read More
As hoards of low-carb proponents invade the nutritional landscape, the... Read More
You've seen them a hundred times: "Before" and "After" pictures.... Read More
It is very important for low carb dieters to stick... Read More
A frequent question brand-new gastric bypass patients ask is "How... Read More
A few months ago, I set out to lose 22.6... Read More
1. Increase your water intake to at least 1 gallon... Read More
Ever heard of the expression, "Getting up on the wrong... Read More
Have you ever wondered why some fat people can be... Read More
Breaking Down Cravings One at a TimeI know you've heard... Read More
Yes it's true- and so unfair. As we get older... Read More
IT'S NOT ABOUT THE NUMBERS!The health clubs are always racking... Read More
Weight Loss |