Top 10 Fat Burning Workouts
#10: Zumba
Zumba is a fitness program that came together in the ‘90s and gained a massive fitness foothold by the 2010s. Revolving around aggressive dance and aerobic moves, Zumba burns off plenty of calories in the process. If you’re a fan of hip-hop, salsa, or getting freaky on the dance floor, this is the perfect way to work up a sweat and have fun. A one-hour workout can result in over 500 calories burned, and it’s the perfect activity to do with a friend. Millions of people continue to Zumba today, and all that’s required is an open space, DVD or Internet access, and an eagerness to work it!
#9: Jumping Rope
If the last time you picked up a jump rope was in grade school, it's highly recommend giving it another try. Whether you’re looking for an hour-long circuit, or 10 minutes of rapid activity to start your day, this activity is a sure fire way to get the heart moving. With a lower impact than jogging, injuries are unlikely, and coordination will develop as you progress. Once this happens, there are dozens of jump rope workouts that can be pursued, and you’ll undoubtedly turn heads at the gym in the process.
#8: Hot Yoga
Considering yoga’s long history, hot yoga is relatively new, but its benefits are far reaching, and obtainable by all. Typically, this exercise takes place in a room that’s heated between 87 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit- or 31 to 40 Celsius. The added heat is meant to elevate a person’s heart rate, increase flexibility, and is also intended to increase the difficulty of whichever yoga style is implemented. If you can stomach the price and added intensity, it’s a top-notch experience. While hot yoga is certainly a steeper challenge than regular yoga, the aftermath is second to none. A post workout smoothie never tasted so good, and it’s another prime activity to share with a friend.
#7: Pumping Iron
Serving as a bit of an umbrella term, pumping iron is the perfect way to accentuate and sharpen any number of features. Squats—the perfect exercise for the perfect butt! Kettle Bell Press- you can say sayonara arm flab! And although not traditionally considered a calorie-burning exercise, new research shows that weightlifting can be highly effective in fat loss! Compared to most aerobic exercises, the body does not usually burn as many calories during the workout Additionally, the more your muscles grow as you workout, the more fat they will burn, making this exercise the gift that keeps on giving. When just starting out, deliberate research or assistance from a more experienced individual will pay massive dividends down the road.
#6: Sprint Interval Training
Time to crank it up to 11; sprint interval training is one workout to leave you gasping for air on day one. It’ll also keep you in unbelievable shape upon getting “over the hump” as it’s one of the most efficient calorie burners out there. Typically, a workout involves sprinting a short distance from 100 yards to a half mile and then taking a quick break before jumping back in to it. Rinse and repeat until it burns and you’re well on your way to high-level fitness. Working fast-twitch muscles in legs, glutes, core, and more, Sprint Interval Training works a whole lot, in a small amount of time.
#5: Biking / Spinning
When a class is all on the same beat, and the general vibe is favorable, there are few workouts quite as enjoyable as spinning. It’s also one of the easiest workouts to invite a friend to tag along to. This doesn’t mean that it’s easy. Given sufficient resistance with relation to a person’s fitness level, spinning or indoor cycling is one hell of a workout. For the outdoor enthusiast, an hour of road biking is a great way to see all kinds of scenery and mix it up through routes with varying peaks and valleys. Your legs, butt, and stomach will benefit, and its relatively low stress-level makes it accessible for all ages.
#4: Swimming
You’ve probably heard it before; a major benefit of swimming is its ability to exercise your entire body. After all, Michael Phelps may be just about the most fit human being on the planet. While running focuses on cardiovascular development and weight lifting focuses on muscle growth, swimming requires both. Its low impact also makes it popular with injured athletes, so knee, back, and foot problems shouldn’t typically get in the way. Just be sure to come ready to work, because swimming is not for the faint of heart, or those looking for a fair-weather workout.
#3: Boxing
When you think of boxing, do you think of a sport exclusively for meaty dudes who like hitting each other with fists? Think again! There's a reason why supermodels like Adriana Lima swear by boxing to maintain their chiseled physiques; it's an intense cardio workout with a focus on agility, speed and stamina. The movements involved in boxing are also perfect for building shredded abs and toned arms. In addition to its ingenuity in crafting #BodyGoals, many people get hooked on boxing for its empowering aspect. And there's no need to step in the ring if you're not about hitting another person in the face; You can reap all of the benefits from the training alone.
#2: Circuit Training
First developed in the 1950s, circuit training requires an individual to go through an array of different activities that zero in on unrelated areas of the body. For example, one could dedicate a minute each to squatting, sit-ups, bench press, and burpees. This effectively rests each portion of the body for about 3 minutes. Rinse and repeat a few times and you’ve got a full body workout. For the on-the-go business types, results are fast, for the jaded gym member, circuits are fun, and for the metabolism it’s the signal to start working overtime. Be creative and make your own circuit, or heck, use that power hour playlist for something other than binge drinking - the possibilities are endless!
Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
Hula Hooping
Rowing
#1: Pole Fitness
Something should be made clear right from the get-go, stripping and pole dancing, can, and oftentimes are, mutually exclusive. Quite frankly, it’s the best-kept secret in fitness out there. It efficiently burns calories, increases flexibility, and has been said to minimize pain during childbirth. On top of that, the rhythm and fluidity of pole dancing are sure to improve self-confidence and create camaraderie among class participants. Despite its roots, pole dancing is becoming increasing normalized and mainstream. And fellas… you’re more than welcome to join, if you're man enough.
Do you agree with our list? Which fat burning workout do you think is best? For more calorie-burning Top 10s, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.