Change up workout to maximize calorie burn
in
Long
Q: What is the best way to burn the most calories during my weekly cardio routine?
A: In a word - variety. To maximize the amount of calories you burn and to get a beneficial cross-training effect you should change the exercises and the intensity frequently.
For instance, if you usually walk for your cardio then maybe add biking and swimming. What about the stair-stepper, the rower and the elliptical machine? There are simply too many modes of cardiorespiratory exercise to bore yourself by performing the same routine over and over. By varying different exercises you keep your body from becoming adapted to the same routine which maximizes your caloric expenditure as well as helping prevent overuse injuries.
You could also vary the intensity and time of your walking routine, maybe changing routes to add hills or possibly by using trails in the woods, park or walk along the beautiful Natchez Trace. I recommend about 30 minutes to an hour of cardio 4-6 times per week. Maybe walk twice a week, jog twice per week and perhaps swim a time or two per week. Sometimes you should go more intensely for a shorter period of time while other sessions should be longer but less intense in nature. Both the body and mind will benefit from such a changing routine.
On another note please remember if your goal is to become very good at one particular mode of cardio then you should primarily stick to that mode. That is called the principle of specificity in exercise physiology terms. For example, if you want to be a great cyclist then you need to spend lots of time on the bike, not walking and running.
