What Equipment helps Burn Calories?

So you’ve decided to lose weight. Maybe you’ve joined a gym or invested in some fitness equipment yourself. There is much advice regarding weight loss, particularly in terms of exercise. But what is the best equipment to burn calories?

Firstly, the classic way of burning calories is running. Get on the treadmill and run for half an hour for around 7 to 8mph and you’ll burn around 400 calories. Try to do this on at an incline though as a treadmill does help you somewhat by pulling your feet underneath your body. Of course, running faster will burn more calories and how fast or far you run depends on your goals. If you’re simply using the equipment to burn calories, a long, steady run is best although other fitness pursuits require different running techniques.

Perhaps more effective is the elliptical machine, or cross trainer. An average person is estimated to burn around 200 more calories an hour on a cross trainer, compared with a treadmill. They are also very low impact machines, meaning you won’t put on muscle. Again, to use the equipment to burn calories, you should go for longer, steady sessions although picking up the pace will give you a great cardiovascular workout.

An often overlooked piece of equipment to burn calories the skipping rope. Not only is it one of the most intense cardio workouts, it also works your quads, calves, biceps and triceps. For the best results, simply perform a single rep jump. The little double bounce people do is actually detrimental and, removing it can double the amount of calories you burn.

A rowing machine is also a great way to burn calories. Be sure to keep the resistance high and you could burn up to 800 calories an hour; more if you really go for it. They also have very low impact on joints and work a variety of muscle groups.

The step machine in your gym is another great way to burn calories. Alternatively, simply use a step (they’re often found in the stretching/core area of a gym) and step on and off. With one riser underneath the step you could be burning up to 800 calories an hour. You’ll burn even more if you use more risers or a higher step.

Finally, whilst your aim may well be to lose weight, building muscle actually helps you burn calories far faster. It’s estimated that for every extra kg of muscle you put on, you’ll burn around 120 calories a day. This is due to the fact that muscle is metabolically active; meaning it burns calories faster than other body tissues, even when you’re not exercising. The gym is full of equipment to build muscle although if you’re looking to slim down, particularly if you’re female, pumping iron may not be the most attractive proposition!