HEALTH

Workouts

Get fit faster: Pump up the cardio

Sculpting exercises, like the ones featured in our 30 days to a bikini bod special, tone muscles. But cardio exercises, such as walking, running or aerobics, burn the most calories. Getting your engine going burns anywhere from four to nine calories per minute, depending on your body weight and how fast you’re moving. The more vigorously you move, the more fat you burn.

 

If you’ve never run regularly, start by walking and inserting 15- to 30-second jogging intervals every five minutes. As you become more fit, run for longer stretches and decrease the time between intervals. If running is too much for you, stepping is the next best thing. Although walking fast up stairs is great, going down can strain your knees…so go slow. Or eliminate knee stress by stepping up on an exercise step-bench and then stepping down backward. Face the bench as you step up and down, periodically switching the leg that leads. Add arm movements to up the intensity. (If you don’t have a step-bench, use the bottom step of a staircase.) Walk, run or step at least 30 minutes daily.

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by Martica Heaner | 2/1/2016
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