Most Effective Cardio Workouts for Weight Loss

Weight loss is multi-faceted, requiring one to look into health, fitness, and lifestyle in order to achieve the desired results. In terms of fitness, cardio exercises are the fastest and most efficient way to shed some pounds. Movement, in general, is also required, from gentle walking to simply ensuring you aren’t sitting for too long during your day.

Here are some of the most effective cardio workouts for weight loss:

Elliptical

This machine is easily one of the most popular machines at the gym because the elliptical has many benefits for weight loss and is overall a very effective exercise. You can get a great workout (or warm-up) and burn calories as you switch up the intensity, resistance, and speed while minimizing the impact on your knees and hips.

The more that you activate your legs and abdominals, the more you’ll get out of your workouts. Only hold on the handles or rails very lightly for safety reasons rather than using them to help you push through the workout.

Running

With running you can start at your own pace and do it just about wherever you’d like. If you feel more comfortable building up your confidence at home, you can get an elliptical or go for a run around your neighborhood. Otherwise, you can work on your sprints, endurance and speed work out on the trails while enjoying the outside.

Running is an effective cardio workout because it gets your heart rate up and you can burn around 600 calories per hour. You can get even more out of it by running on a mild incline. Just do your best to opt for trails and softer surfaces, as they are much easier on your joints!

Stairmaster

The Stairmaster is a way you can strengthen your legs and get movement in, all in an elevated movement opposed to just walking. For a more effective stair workout, you can use dumbbells to also work your upper body while burning calories.

Rope jumping

Rope jumping is easy to do, has many benefits, and it burns significant calories. In just 30 minutes, you can burn 500 calories! This is a great cardio workout while you are on the go and when you want to get an effective but fun workout in.

Rowing

Rowing does not cause a lot of stress on your joints and ligaments, but it is an extremely effective workout. You can burn over 700 calories per hour.

Remember, the more you incorporate your whole body rather than just your arms, the more you’ll get out of your workout!

Cycling

Cycling has become rather popular in the last couple of years due to fitness classes, such as SoulCycle, that consist of music blasting and high-energy/motivational group-fitness environments. You can hop on a stationary bike or a standard bike to burn around 600 calories per hour.

Another very effective form of exercise for weight loss is HIIT, High-Intensity Interval Training. HIIT combines strength and cardio all in one and you’ll really feel yourself getting stronger the more you incorporate this training style into your workout regime along with dedicated cardio workouts.