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.
Twin Lakes rental limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareSeveral months ago I was in desperate need of weight... Read More
Here are seven tips for getting the calories out of... Read More
While exercising isn't complicated, it's very easy to make mistakes.... Read More
The latest trend in the area of weight loss is... Read More
The math is pretty simple. One pound of fat equals... Read More
When you are faced with the daily challenge of trying... Read More
Ever thought of, known someone, or gone on a diet?... Read More
If I were asked, "what is the most difficult thing... Read More
Weight Loss Red Flag GuideDespite claims to the contrary, there... Read More
If you are into herbs and natural cures, you've undoubtedly... Read More
Sometimes, just the thought of starting on a diet and... Read More
Close kept secrets to weight loss: Give me 9 days... Read More
Weight loss can be one of the most difficult things... Read More
We are bombarded with advertisements pushing delicious looking, fat filled,... Read More
You've heard the popular advice on weight loss diets. Cut... Read More
In twenty years of consistant exercising, maintaining a low percentage... Read More
Here are a few free tips on losing weight that... Read More
Diet is one of the most controversial subjects around. Bring... Read More
There's a two hundred year history of people prescribing both... Read More
In the early nineties I had the opportunity to work... Read More
The world today has more obese and overweight people than... Read More
In our quest to get that "perfect" body, we actually... Read More
Oh, no . . . You suddenly realize that you... Read More
In the last 12 months or so, low carbohydrate diets... Read More
It was bad enough hearing almost daily that obesity in... Read More
West Dundee Lincoln Stretch limo rentals ..Any dietary plan on the market has some portion of... Read More
Getting to the ROOT of the matter: If the plants... Read More
For the past 20 years, the American public has been... Read More
The best exercises for quick weight loss in my opinion... Read More
Going away for your holidays will also bring with it... Read More
Here are seven tips for getting the calories out of... Read More
Contrary to common belief, your weight is not really the... Read More
We are inundated by exhortations to lose weight - from... Read More
A 'diet' is always seen as a temporary measure. An... Read More
One way of recognizing a fad diet is... Read More
Because the Internet allows so many millions of people to... Read More
Just about every one of us struggles with our weight... Read More
When on a diet, snack attacks can hit hard and... Read More
Perhaps you've had them too, nightmares about rice cakes, granola,... Read More
When people hear the term Unified Theory, some times called... Read More
As of the writing of this article, May 16, 2005,... Read More
Today's society is about speed. We no longer have to... Read More
Weight training combines building muscle tone and working the cardiovascular... Read More
Body wraps can help tone and tighten the skin, improve... Read More
Do you know that while you work out the muscles... Read More
The latest trend in the area of weight loss is... Read More
Now that the temptations of the Holiday season have passed... Read More
America is getting more obese every year. Even our children... Read More
Are you overweight?Most people are afraid to admit they are.It... Read More
Gastric bypass patients often find themselves regaining weight soon after... Read More
Weight Loss |