Although there are many ways to lose weight, activities that provide an aerobic workout may be most beneficial. According to MayoClinic.com, aerobic exercises offer many benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure, strengthening your heart and improving your mood. The best aerobic activities for weight loss will also burn a high number of calories.
Swimming
Swimming is an effective form of aerobic exercise because it burns more than 600 calories per hour, depending upon the stroke. Fitness information website Nutristrategy notes that the butterfly, at 649 calories per hour, freestyle, and breaststroke, at 590 calories per hour, are the most effective for burning calories. Swimming also involves multiple muscle groups, including the biceps, triceps, abs, hamstrings, quads and glutes.
Step Aerobics
Step aerobic routines differ from regular aerobics in that they use steps, or raised platforms. Performing aerobic moves while stepping up and down adds an extra challenge to your leg muscles and can help you burn additional calories. According to Nutristrategy, step aerobics burns significantly more calories than regular aerobics: up to 502 per hour, compared to 384.
Running
Running is an aerobic activity you can perform nearly anywhere using no equipment other than shoes. Running is effective for weight loss because it burns significant calories; you can control the calorie burn somewhat by altering your speed. Nutristrategy notes that running at 5 mph for 60 minutes will burn 472 calories, while increasing your speed to 10 mph will burn 944 calories in 60 minutes.
Jumping Rope
Jump ropes are relatively inexpensive and can allow you to take advantage of a highly effective aerobic exercise for weight loss. Jumping rope can burn up to 590 calories per hour. However, this isn't the only benefit; fitness expert Ross Enamait explains that jumping rope can also improve your agility, endurance and coordination, which can be helpful for other sports in which you participate
Cycling
Cycling can be performed outside or indoors, if you have the right equipment. Either way, cycling gives your body an effective aerobic workout and may help you lose weight. As with running, the speed at which you cycle determines your level of calorie burn. Riding at 10 mph will burn about 350 calories per hour, while cycling at speeds of 20 mph and above will burn up to 944 calories per hour.
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