What's the best "cardio" for losing weight and losing fat?
No doubt, there's much confusion around this piece of the fat loss puzzle. I'm asked this question weekly, maybe even more frequently... what's the best way to burn fat? Should I do the bike, take the classes, use the elyptical, the stairmaster?....
Crabiel's answer: ... what ever one you'll do (consistently).
Really? is it really that simple?
Although the manufactures of exercise equipment would love for you to believe otherwise, it's the truth. The exaggerated caloric expenditure readings on exercise equipment is inaccurate at best.
Here's what YOU Need to Know:
At its simplest level... exercise is stress. When you physically challenge your body aerobically, you stress the cardiovascular system. As you stress the cardiovascular system, respiration increases (to deliver oxygen to the working muscles). As you consume more oxygen, you burn more calories, in fact, each liter of oxygen you consume burns about 5 calories.
If you understand that exercise = stress,... it really is that simple. Your heart, lungs, cardiovascular system don't know (nor care) if you are using a $3.00 jump rope or a $3,000.00 treadmill. As far as your body is concerned... the mode of exercise is irrelevant. Of more importance is the level of intensity in which the mode of exercise is performed.
To support your weight loss efforts and achieve a positive cardiovascular training effect, choose an activity that allows you to perform continuous activity for 12-45 minutes. Personally, I don't know that I've exceeded 30 minutes in any one "cardio" session in the past decade.
My "go to" choice of cardiovascular conditioning:
1. Schwinn Air-Dyne. The Air-Dyne is one of the best pieces of equipment for performing sprint work / intervals. 20 minutes and you're done! I picked up this sweat little ride at a garage sale back in "99 - one of my better investments. The ad said "like new". Boy was it ever... like new and lightly used. You can find great equipment and great deals at garage sales, Craig's list, and used sporting good stores.
2. Treadmill. I was never really a fan of the treadmill, in fact, the first time I ever used one was 2009. A friend "gifted" me his treadmill as he was updating his home gym. I've grown to enjoy this piece of equipment and find it productive for performing interval type workouts.
3. Jump Rope. For the investment.... it's the best piece of conditioning equipment on the market. If your joints (and bladder) allow - get one.
I utilize and perform all three modalities year round (in my garage). My home gym has outgrown my basement (how lucky is my wife?... exercise equipment all over the house - lol!)
and the "overflow" is in the garage. Little weird, I know. For me, sucking in lots of morning air is a great way to start my day. Maybe it goes back to my paper boy days - who knows?
My Advice: Find something you can do, something you enjoy, and do it! The mode of exercise is irrelevant. You certainly don't need expensive exercise equipment to lose weight, get fit, and be health. In fact, here's a fun way to burn a ton of calorie and fat. [watch video]
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