Most of us have almost always thought that running is one of the best exercises for fat burning. It is not just about burning more calories, running works as an amazing cardio because it will get the heart to pump more blood. But running has some negatives too. It belongs to the category of high-impact workouts. There’s more strain on your lower body – the knees, feet, and thighs. If you thought that was nothing, what about this – 60 seconds of running burns you only 10 calories. So you have other types of exercises too that can help you burn even more amount of calories.
So here are 10 exercises, that help you get all the benefits of running, lose weight, and also get into shape.
1. Cross-Fit Exercises
A cross-fit workout routine will have a wide range of exercises. Some can be too intense. You can do these exercises and benefit from them without even having to follow a very strict schedule.
Best Tip – Find 3 great cross-fit workouts that target different muscle group.
2. Kettlebell Swing
Kettlebell swing can help you burn at least 20 calories a minute, and you don’t have to work out for more than a few minutes. This exercise can be readily included into the existing workout schedule. You may have any level of stamina or any body shape, anyone can do this exercise.
3. Burpees
If you do just 10 burpees in a minute, you could burn a decent 14 calories. That’s better than running. It is also better than all-out bike sprint. Your metabolism improves and you burn more fat.
4. Bike Sprints
You will find that bike sprints are not as efficient as burpees. But if you belong to the group that doesn’t workout regularly, they can be perfect for you. If you want to get the best out of bike sprints, you should pedal to highest possible speed in 60 seconds. Then pedal at a gradually slower pace for next 60-120 seconds. Keep alternating between cruising and sprinting speed.
5. Fat Tire Biking
In this exercise you will be using bicycles having large tires. They can be quite heavy and much more difficult to control compared to conventional bike tires. If you do these workouts, you could burn as much as 1,500 calories in an hour. That’s 25 calories a minute. This is more than double the number of calories you can burn by running. What is even better is that it doesn’t cause any strain on the knees like running.
6. Jumping Rope
Jumping rope is a medium intensity workout. Running will involve more muscles. But you will find this exercise to be more fun. You can do 100 skips a minute and that could help in burning 13 calories. Another benefit is that jumping rope can provide a more complete exercise to your body.
7. Jump Squats
Jump squats can be highly effective weight-loss exercises. This exercise is so simple and still burns you 14 calories in just 20 seconds. That’s better than almost any other exercise you can think of.
8. Battling Ropes
It is another amazing exercise that helps you burn more calories compared to running. Even researchers have proven that it is the best workout to help with total oxygen consumption. This was found when scientists compared battle ropes with other exercises.
9. Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing is not just popular, it is also more effective in burning calories than running. Even when you are skiing at normal speed, you will be at the same pace as the average runner. But it will help you burn more amount of calories in a minute.
10. Indoor Rowing
Intense rowing can help you burn up to 375 calories in just half hour. It is great for toning and tightening the muscles oft shoulders and arms.