Exercises that simulate stepping motions are a type of cardiovascular workout that can increase your heart rate, burn calories and lead to weight loss. An exercise that incorporates repeatedly twisting your torso is also a cardio workout. Combining these two motions can burn a significant number of calories and work out the upper body and lower body at the same time.
Types of Equipment
One new twist machine is a combination of twisting and stepping, both of which are aerobic movements that can tone muscles while burning fat and calories. The compact device requires the user to simulate stair climbing with two moving foot pedals while at the same time twisting side to side. The sturdy, steel-based handlebars help you keep your balance. The twist action on this machine works deep leg and buttocks muscles without putting pressure on joints. Another device that combines twisting and stepping is designed with a swiveling stepper platform for a lower-body workout and twin resistance cords, rather than handlebars, used for toning your upper body. Some of these machines come with DVDs and diet guides that teach you fat-burning exercises.
Calories
You can burn calories on fitness equipment that combines stair climbing and twisting when you increase your heart rate. Using a cardio twisting machine burns roughly the same number of calories as an elliptical machine. Harvard Health Publications reports that a 125 lb. person burns 270 calories after 30 minutes of cardio exercise on an elliptical trainer. A 155 lb. person burns 335 calories, and a 185 lb. person burns 400 calories.
Weight Loss
Because a pound of fat equals 3,500 calories, a 125 lb. person can drop more than 2 lbs. a month by using twisting and turning fitness equipment every day. By supplementing a workout plan with a low-fat, low-calorie diet, and reducing calorie intake by 250 calories, a 125 lb. person can lose 4 lbs. in a month.
Muscles
Twisting and turning fitness equipment with resistance cords can provide a strength-training workout because it allows you to use your body weight as resistance. The benefits of a strength-training workout are that it can prevent chronic disease, burn fat and improve the appearance of your physique. One caveat to resistance training, however, is that it could prevent you from losing weight. Inch for inch, muscle weighs more than fat. When you start a new strength training regimen, you're likely to burn calories and watch fat from your legs, arms, face and belly disappear. At the same time, you will be accumulating new muscle mass, which will keep you from losing weight. Even though the numbers on the scale aren't budging, the important thing is that you will be shedding excess fat.
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