Cardiologists say that moderate-intensity exercise is best for weight loss because it doesn’t require as much time or effort as high-intensity workouts. Plus, people who engage in this activity level naturally increase their pace over time, eventually working up to more intense levels if they desire. So what kind of activities would fall into this category? The first type that comes to mind for most people is cardio exercises. However, with so many cardio workouts out there, which ones are the best at burning calories? This article will look at which activities will benefit you the most!
Swimming
Swimming is a great cardio exercise that works nearly all of your muscles. If you’re swimming laps, it will burn somewhere between 400-700 calories per hour depending on how fast you swim and how much your body is underwater during each lap. This is because the amount of resistance that water puts up against your body increases by a factor of 9 for every 10cm that you go underwater, which makes swimming a great way to burn calories.
Running
Compared to swimming, running is a bit more intense and will burn between 400-600 calories per hour depending on how fast you are going. If you’re going at a slow pace, it might only be around 400 calories, but if you’re going at a swift pace, it could be around 600. Running at a good pace for one hour will also burn about 200-400 calories in that hour, depending on your weight and running speed. If you weigh less, you’ll burn slightly more calories the faster you run. Also, besides the caloric expenditure of running, it strengthens bones, muscles, and connective tissue.
Cycling
Depending on how fast you pedal, you might get up to 600 calories burned per hour if you’re cycling. If you’re pedaling at a moderate pace but are racing against the clock because you enjoy competition, this might burn something in between 400-600 calories. If you’re just riding for fun at a leisurely pace, it might be around 300-400 calories per hour, depending on your weight and the terrain. Cycling is also great because it strengthens your muscles and bones while improving cardiovascular endurance.
Jumping Rope
Jumping rope is an excellent cardio exercise that doesn’t require much effort to start, but once you start going at it fast, it can burn up the calories. If you are just jumping rope casually, it might only be around 200-300 calories per hour depending on your weight and how long you are jumping for. However, if you get into it and begin jumping faster and faster, you can burn calories in the 600-800 calorie per hour range. If you’re a very physically fit person who enjoys jumping rope competitively, you might burn something in between 300-600 calories an hour, depending on how much time you devote to it and how fast you are jumping.
