Effective Exercises to Lose Weight are an essential part of a healthy weight loss program. And just as eating healthy is essential, it’s important to exercise as well, which is why you need to look for the Top Exercises to Lose Weight.
The best exercises will contain a cardio aspect and a toning aspect, as this will allow you to see faster results. Here are my top 20 Top Exercise to Lose Weight, that have proven to work the best and burn the most calories. See which of these 20 exercises to lose weight work best for you. The only sure thing – no matter which of these exercises for losing weight you choose, you’ll surely be on the right track for losing weight and toning your body. So, let’s start and take a peek at these:
TOP EXERCISES TO LOSE WEIGHT:
1. STEP AEROBICS
Calories Burnt: 800 cal/hr
Many of the top exercises to lose weight incorporate aerobics. This mainly targets your legs, hips and bum, which are often the areas that women most want to tone. Doing an hour a day, split into two half an hour sessions, will ensure that you see results within 2 weeks. If you aren’t sure how to do these, check out 7 Best Ab Exercises. Another very similar exercise is bench presses, which go very well in sets with step aerobics. Make sure you’re doing them right or you’ll see no results!
2. BICYCLING
Calories Burnt: 500 – 1000 cal/hr
3. SWIMMING – MOST PLEASANT EXERCISE FOR LOSING WEIGHT
Calories Burnt: 800 cals/hr
Swimming is definitely a top exercise to lose weight, especially in the summer. Doing laps up and down the pool for an hour will burn off 800 calories, and also tone almost all of your body. Stay motivated by giving yourself half an hour extra to make use of the Jacuzzi when you’ve finished!
Depending on how fast you go, this can be a real calorie burner. Riding outside is always enjoyable, but if you’re a little more time restricted, invest in a good quality exercise bike. This is my favorite calorie burner, because it’s so easy to do. How about riding while watching the TV? I find that cycling through Eastenders keeps me distracted, but working hard at the same time. In case you prefer to ride outside, make sure you take a look at this post called How to Not Get Hit by Cars When Bicycling. Just in case…
4. RACQUETBALL
Calories Burnt: 800 cals/hr
The side to side running involved in this is a great cardio workout, and will also help to tone your thighs and legs. I also find this exercise for losing weight to be much more sociable, which keeps me working out for longer and keeps me from skipping my gym sessions!
5. ELLIPTICAL BURNER – MY FAVORITE EXERCISE TO LOSE WEIGHT
Calories Burnt: 600 cals/hr
This is brilliant cardio, and also helps to build strong muscles, and with toning the stomach. I personally find the Elliptical Burner really great, especially if there is a TV attached to the machine or if you bring along your iPod or iPhone, so that you can listen to your favorite tunes or catch up on latest TV episodes on Hulu. When entertained, you won’t believe how long you can do this exercise for losing weight. I sometimes get so caught in the moment, I spend over an hour on this machine!
6. ROWING
Calories Burnt: 500 – 600 cals/hr
Rowing is a brilliant way to tone your arms, and is also very good fun. Get involved with the local rowing club and you’ll get to try it for free, or simply use the rowing machine at the gym. You’ll build arm muscle, burn calories and get an incredible workout.
7. WALKING
Calories Burnt: 360 cals/hr
The easiest exercise, brisk walking is a great cardio workout and will also help to tone your legs, stomach and hips. Sprinting, walking across hills or walking uphill will add to the amount of calories burnt, and walking tends to be very easy to fit into daily life. Just walking to the train station has made me so much fitter, and it really wakes me up going for a brisk walk in the morning. Check outHate Running? Get Fit Walking! for the detailed walking workout!
8. DANCING – MOST FUN EXERCISE TO LOSE WEIGHT
Calories Burnt: 600/800 cal/hr
This targets your entire body, and is an excellent work out. In addition to being one of the top exercises to lose weight, it’s also one of the most fun! I frequently put a music channel on and dance around. In addition to burning calories I find that it’s a great stress reliever! Just make sure you stay active, and try and keep going for at least an hour! If you want to learn some new sexy moves while you are at it, you might want to check out Dancing DVDs reviewed in this post: Do Your Dance Moves Need A Makeover? You can also take a peek at 8 Kinds of Dance that Help You Lose Weight!
9. EXERCISE DVDS
Calories Burnt: 300/500 cals/hr
While there are a lot of these, some exercise DVDs do actually help you to lose weight and tone up. Find a high energy one, and try and do it once a day. You’ll burn calories, tone up and feel much fitter. My personal favourite is “Pump It Up”, because the music keeps me motivated!
10. HORSE RIDING
Calories Burnt: 200-600 cal/hr
This one may be slightly harder to arrange, but going horse riding once a week is one of the best ways to stay fit, healthy and enjoy nature. The view from up there is so amazing, you won’t notice that you’re toning your butt, absand thighs, and burning calories while you’re at it! You’d be surprised at how cheap it can be to arrange a session once a weekend, and if your feeling extra fit you could even cycle to the stables! Check out these 7 Riding Tipsfor more information…
11. JOGGING – AN EASY AND PLEASANT EXERCISE TO LOSE WEIGHT
Calories burned per hour: 550 cal/hour
I love to run and jog, and it is so good for your body! Aside from all of the calories you will burn, you’ll also get a lot of thinking done, without all the distractions of the gym or a workout DVD. Truly, I do some of my best decision-making and problem-solving while I’m on a run.
12. BOUNCING ON THE TRAMPOLINE
Calories burned per hour: 400 cal/hour
Who knew something so fun could be such a great exercise for losing weight? Bouncing on the trampoline will get your heart thumping, and it is a blast! See if you can do any tricks, like my favorite, the booty-bounce! Be careful, though; a fall can lead to a sprain or a break of epic proportions.
13. ZUMBA!
Calories burned per hour: 500 cal/hour
I’m far too uncoordinated to do Zumba, but look how many calories you can burn in just one hour! Donit get me wrong — I look ridiculous, but I still do my Zumba class — I just make sure to bring a friend or two so we can laugh about it later!
14. KICKBOXING – A VERY INTENSE YET EFFECTIVE EXERCISE TO LOSE WEIGHT
Calories burned per hour: 600 cal/hour
This is one of my favorite exercises for losing weight. I feel like such a bad-ass when I’m done! It’s fun, especially if you bring a friend. You’ll be exhausted when your hour is up, and you’ll have burned so many calories!
15. YOGA – MOST RELAXING EXERCISE FOR LOSING WEIGHT
Calories burned per hour: 180 cal/hour
Stretching is good for your body and soul, and it’s actually an effective exercise for losing weight! You’ll notice an improvement in your tone and flexibility, plus a decrease in back pain, all while burning about 180 calories an hour… even more if you’re doing more advanced moves and combining more difficult positions.
16. SOCCER
Calories burned per hour: 400 cal/hour
Running around the soccer field with friends or just chasing the kids with the soccer ball is a marvelous way to burn calories and lose weight! It’s also a lot of fun, if you can keep up…
17. HIKING
Calories burned per hour: 350 cal/hour
Hiking, not to be confused with a gentle walk, will burn about 350 calories an hour… and it gives you the opportunity to spend some quality time outside, seeing nature, spending time with someone you love. Or go alone and just enjoy the scenery!
18. WEIGHT TRAINING IS ESSENTIAL FOR LOSING WEIGHT
Calories burned per hour: 200 cal/hour
While most of us don’t need an hour of weight training every day, it ought to be part of a well-rounded workout routine, and it’s good to know you can burn about 200 calories if you are able to do an hour… though my personal trainer only recommends about 35 to 40 minutes a day, three days a week.
19. GARDENING/YARD WORK
Calories burned per hour: 350 cal/hour
Another excuse to spend time in the garden — pulling weeds and tending tomatoes, raking leaves and sweeping grass clippings, will burn about 250 calories an hour! Remember to protect yourself from the sun, and keep hydrated, too!
20. CLEANING HOUSE!
Calories burned per hour: 200 cal/hour
Talk about multi-tasking! Get your house tidy and burn calories, all at the same time! Push the vacuum and dust with gusto, and if you’re feeling sluggish about sweeping, turn on your favorite tunes and add some dance! You’ll burn about 200 calories an hour!
So give these Top Exercises to Lose Weight a try, but remember that you should always consult your doctor before starting a strenuous exercise routine, especially, if you have a medical condition. And if I come learn any more lessons on my weight-loss path, i will be sure to share them with you. Do you have a favorite exercise for losing weight, or know about one that just doesn’t work? Or do you know some interesting way to lose weight? Please tell us about it!
