Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Calorie Burning Tips

CARDIO SPRINT PYRAMID
This adds sprint interval training for a fast and fun workout. Here, after each burst of hard work, you'll recover for the same amount of time.
How to do it:
•Warm up for 15 minutes, adding a few 20-second bursts at the end to prepare for the workout.
•Run, bike, or row: During the work periods, you should have a rate of preceived exertion (RPE of 8 to 10, followed by 30 seconds of active recovery.

Build and taper the workout like this:
30 seconds sprint/30 seconds recover
1 minute sprint/1 minute recover
2 minutes sprint/2 minutes recover
4 minutes sprint/4 minutes recover
2 minutes sprint/2 minutes recover
1 minute sprint/1 minute recover
30 seconds sprint/30 seconds recover

•Finish with a 10-minute cooldown.
Bonus benefit: This major calorie-burning interval training plan gives you the best of both worlds—high-octane cardio and muscle-sculpting sprints.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Row your Weight Off!

This is an often overlooked machine in the gym because we're confused about how it works and, perhaps, aren't sure it delivers a great workout.

However, rowing is a physically demanding exercise involving both the upper and lower body, which means a higher heart rate and a greater calorie burn. Like an elliptical trainer or stationary bike, there are different levels of resistance, allowing you to get a challenging workout no matter what your fitness level. In 30 minutes, a 145-lb person can burn about 300 calories, but if you've never tried rowing, it can be tough. Start with 10-15 minutes and add time to subsequent workouts to give your body time to adapt.