What's The Best Cardio?

[Star1221 270]

At least 4 days a week I workout at the gym. I'm torn between which cardio workout is better. I like the elliptical and the stair climber. But then there's the treadmill, which bores me. But I can add incline and speed. Does anyone have a preference or one they see and feel better results from?

[thinmymind 107]

More and more I am hearing that intervals are the most effective for weight loss. Maybe someone more knowledgable will chime in.

[Wheetsin 714]

Best cardio for...? Different exercises target different things.

For fat burning, I believe the current trend is high intensity interval training (HIIT).

[AliveAgain 283]

Really it's whatever you like and what is comfortable. But yes, high-intensity intervals is one of the best ways to lose weight. Just doing 45min on a treadmill all the time will work for a while, but you run the risk of repetitive injury and eventually it will not work as well as it once did. My personal trainer gets my heart rate up with simple things like marching, side-walking, lateral ball touches, plank toe taps, and mixes it up with some resistance band and weight work. She (personally) loves to get her heart rate up on the treadmill then get off to do some weight and core exercises, then back on the treadmill, repeat.

I know trainers sound fancy and expensive, but (most) of them have good knowledge of what works. Or you can Google, probably find some videos. I liked working with mine because she helped me correct my form when it was slightly off, help prevent injuries, use of the wrong muscle group.

I would highly suggest swimming, it's one of the best workouts for your overall body and gets (my) heart pumping more than treadmills.

[Star1221 270]

Thank you so much for answering everyone. Maybe I should've told you my normal routine.

Day one (typical)- 45 minutes on elliptical. Then to leg weights for about 20 minutes. This includes hip abductions both inner and outter. Leg presses and so on.

Day two- 20 minutes on stair climber, elliptical, or treadmill. High intensity. 30 minute ab class. 20 minutes on arms, chest, and back.

All weights are low weight, high reps.

Repeat one and two. I'm just wanting to burn hard and fast. I had a trainer, but basically he told me as long as I have a good sweat I'd be fine. I was almost 300 pounds. A good sweat took 5 minutes lol. So I dropped him. But the interval training sounds great. Thank you guys again.

[Star1221 270]

I hate this...

[Star1221 270]

stupid phone

[fluffylibra30 323]

I do HIT once a week, kicks my butt, I am 209 and I burn 600 calories in an hour. If your gym has any cardio classes I would check them out. I do Step, PurEnergy ( it's an interval class) and usually burn 400 calories in 60 minutes.

[Finding MeMe 204]

I do a little of all types exercises for variety and I vary the intensity. I do Zumba, step-aerobics, boot camp type class, body pump, spin, hiking, hill training (walk/run up and down the hill), and I will do the threadmill or eliptical, if a class isn't available at my gym. If on the threadmill, I will try to run and walk at different speeds and increase/decrease the incline.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

You can do interval training on any of the machines you mentioned....elliptical, treadmill or stairclimber. Also stationary bike (or real bike), even walking and jogging. Intervals work on most anything. But don't do it everyday. It's called "HIGH INTENSITY interval training" for a reason. Until you get fitter, start with once or twice a week and build up. Good luck. Intervals are hard but they make the time fly by compared to just keeping one speed.

[jb14075 10]

I go to the gym at least 5x's/week & start every workout with a minimum of 3 miles on the elliptical. I use to switch between elliptical and bike but the elliptical was such a better over all workout that I never use the bike anymore & I'm very happy with the results Ive seen since going strictly to the elliptical.

[emily_0192010 168]

I've heard that the best cardio "is the one you do". It sounds like you have a GREAT handle on your exercise!! I think that as long as you are getting your heart rate up and changing it up every so often there is nothing else you should do. Maybe add in some classes for some variety.

Great job!