Fat Burning Exercise

What Type And How Often?

The thought of fat burning exercise brings to mind hours of running on a treadmill or elliptical trainer.

And while that can be an effective way to get in some cardiovascular exercise, it certainly isn't the most fun. Nor is it the only option.

This article explores the two most effective ways to burn fat. Rather than choose one over the other, do a bit of both.

Cardiovascular (Aerobic) Exercise

Cardio exercises get you moving and raise your heart rate to the fat-burning level.

Cardio exercise is not just for burning fat. It also improves overall body conditioning, boost endurance AND increases your body's capacity to deliver oxygen to your muscles.

Examples of Cardio Exercises

Mix up your cardio with different activities to keep your workouts from becoming mundane. Try a few of these fat burning exercises...

• bicycling
• running/jogging/walking
• swimming
• aerobic classes or DVDs
• tae bo
• jumping rope
• tennis
• boxing
• dancing

How Often

Moderate cardio exercises can be done daily. Three times per week is the minimum to achieve fat burning.

Strength Training as a Fat Burning Exercise

Strength training and weight lifting exercises are very effective for fat burning because of the residual benefits of muscle building.

Muscle tissue burns fat simply by existing, which means that while you're sleeping, or lounging on the couch, your muscles are working to shrink the fat cells in your body. Efficient? Yep!

Large muscle groups like the legs will burn the most fat, but weight training should be a full-body workout.

How Often

Perform some sort of strength training activity 3-5 times per week for best results.

Alternating muscle groups is a good strategy for weight training. Remember that after muscles are exercised with weights, they need rest in order to grow.

Learn more about fat burning and strength training. Discover the most effective exercises for creating the body you want. Plus instructions on exactly how to perform the exercises... which is so important to get the best results and keep from injuring yourself. Master Fitness Trainer, Lynn VanDyke shares it all in her indispensible book How To Melt the Fat.