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From the Fit Community: The Best Cardio Machine For Your Body

Fit Community — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:53:42 PDT

Which cardio machine is right for you? FitSugar reader JessicaSmithTV asks an expert for the answers. She shared what she found in our 10 Pounds Down! community group.

The stair master, the stationary bike, and the elliptical - we all have our favorite cardio machine at the gym, but which one is the best one for your body? We asked Dr. Yoav Suprun, DPT, a McKenzie physical therapist at Canyon Ranch in Miami Beach to weigh in on the pros and cons of some of your favorite gym staples.

The Stationary Bike
Pros: Low impact, easy on the joints, offers a wide range of intensity options
Cons: The riding position can bring on back pain, or aggravate sciatica for some. “We flex our spine all day and sit for hours - why sit for a cardio session?” asks Dr. Suprun.

The Elliptical
Pros: Low impact, upright position of the body, also easy on the joints and offers a wide range of intensity options
Cons: If you have a small structure or small frame, using an elliptical with handles would be pulling your body out of alignment. “People suffer from holding the handles as it pulls on the lower back and neck once the handle is moved forward,” explains Dr. Suprun.

Keep reading for more pros and cons of your favorite cardio machines.

5 Fitness Myths That Mess With Results

Prevention — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:31:20 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

By Jenna Bergen, Prevention

With so many people offering advice on weight loss, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. All too often I’ve overheard a hardworking gym-goer sharing a well-meaning but ill-informed tip with another exerciser. And I’m not the only one who’s heard fitness folklore being swapped on the training room floor. I spoke to top experts in the field to find out the common fitness myths they hear from clients. From the pseudo miracles of the "fat-burning" zone to the misguided magic of working out on an empty stomach, these fitness falsehoods should never be followed.

Nine Exercise Moves You're Doing Wrong

Myth No. One: Keep your heart rate in the fat-burning zone

If you've been exercising at 60 to 70 percent of your maximum heart rate in order to shed flab faster, you could be slowing your slim down. "The fat-burning zone is a complete myth," says Wayne Westcott, PhD, Prevention advisory board member and fitness research director at Quincy College. "While it's true that you burn a higher percentage of fat calories when exercising at a moderate pace, you burn fewer calories overall." For instance, if you get on a treadmill and walk at a 3.5 mph pace for 30 minutes, you might burn 250 calories. If you raise the speed to seven miles per hour, you’d burn 500. Bottom line? "It’s much better to go at the faster speed." Prefer the elliptical trainer? Make sure you're not making one of the top 10 elliptical trainer mistakes.

Myth No. Two: Boosting cardio is the best way to bypass a plateau

"The most effective way to lose weight is to include both cardio and weights in your routine," says Jari Love, star of the Get Extremely Ripped: 1000 Hardcore DVD. "One study found that when individuals cycled for 30 minutes a day, they lost three pounds of fat and gained a half pound of muscle in eight weeks. But individuals who cycled for 15 minutes and weight trained for 15 minutes a day lost 10 pounds of fat and gained two pounds of calorie-burning muscle."

Try This Workout to Drop Two Sizes by Summer!

Keep reading! We bust three more myths after the break.

3 Machines That Help Burn Fat Faster

Self — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:35:17 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

There are the run-of-the-mill, hop-on-the-elliptical-machine-for-20-minutes cardio workouts, then there are the kick-butt, leave-you-breathless cardio workouts that practically melt fat off the body. Which would you prefer to do?

Trainer Jeff Halevy, CEO of Halevy Life in New York City, is an expert at helping clients shed unwanted layers of fat fast. To make sure you're maximizing the fat-burning effect of your workout, it might be time to give your cardio routine a makeover. (Bonus: head over to Self.com to get more of Jeff's fat-loss tips - he dishes on the scientific cheats to a sexy, healthy body in record time. Grab your copy now!)

"The biggest takeaway about using any type of cardio machine is that it will be most beneficial to fat loss if high-intensity intervals are utilized, and if either weight lifting or lighter, steady-state cardio is done immediately after - yes, after. This is not a recipe for maximal muscle growth but is the recipe for maximal fat loss," Jeff says.

Check out these top three cardio machines that will give you the most fat-loss bang for your buck at the gym, and cheats on how to make sure you're using them properly, after the break.

Reasons to Own a Jump Rope

Jenny Sugar — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 17:35:17 PDT

If running outside is not your cup of tea, and steep gym prices prevent you from hitting the pool or a spin class, you'll need an inexpensive and easy way to keep up with your cardio sessions. You may associate a jump rope with school-aged girls, boxers, or those in the military, but jump ropes are a great tool to keep in your home gym and here's why.

Cheap way to save time while burning major calories: For about $8 and 30 minutes, a 130-pound woman can burn 330 calories - running at a pace of 10 minutes per mile (six mph) only burns 270 calories.
You can do your workout anywhere: Whether you're in a hotel room on a business trip, outside on your deck, or inside your home because of bad weather, you can jump rope - just make sure the ceilings are high enough. Since a jump rope takes up so little room, it can easily be stashed in your suitcase, gym or yoga bag, or even your purse.
Jumping is good for bone health: If you're young, you're not exactly worrying about osteoporosis yet, but what you do now can help prevent this condition. It turns out that simply jumping up and down helps strengthen your bones.
It tones your legs and booty: Who doesn't want a tight and toned tush? Just like running and biking, jumping rope requires mostly leg strength. You can jump up and down, side-to-side, or forward and backward, jump while moving around the room, jump with one leg, or jump with both legs together. Varying your steps will target different muscles and also prevent boredom.

6 Tips For a More Intense Cardio Workout

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:22:50 PDT

Cardio workouts are important for heart health and are also a must do if you're trying to slim down. Whether you're running, swimming, hopping on a bike, or taking a cardio class, incorporate these six tips to get more out of your heart-pumping sessions.

Include sprinting intervals: By alternating between a few minutes at a moderate pace and throwing in bursts at a faster pace, you'll burn more calories, build endurance, and become faster and stronger. Not to mention, intervals are also proven to reduce belly fat.
Use those arms: Many forms of cardio are all about the legs, so when possible, maximize your cardio time by focusing on working your arms as well. Swing them while running (don't hold on to the treadmill or elliptical handles), get creative with your arm strokes while in the pool, and don't forget to use them while in your Zumba or other cardio class instead of resting them by your sides.
Lengthen the duration of your workout: Most cardio workouts last between 30 or 45 minutes, so burn more calories by pushing yourself a little longer. Check out how many extra calories five minutes of cardio burns.

Keep reading to hear the rest of the cardio tips.

The Right Way to Fit Your Bike and Start Cycling

Zelana Montminy — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:35:17 PDT

Indoor cycling is all the rage these days, but we know that setting up a stationary bike can be intimidating. Since the proper fit makes the workout so much better - and prevents injury - we tapped endurance rider Audry Adler to give us the skinny on adjusting a bike. Watch and learn! Then head to cardio cycling early to set up your bike just right and then get your sweat on.

Cardio Comparison: Calories Burned in 30 Minutes

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:37:38 PST

Cardio is a must for a whole slew of health reasons: it's good for your heart, increases energy, helps reduce your risk of certain conditions like osteoporosis and diabetes, helps you sleep better, and boosts your immune system, to name a few! Of course, cardio is also essential if you're trying to fit into the jeans you wore in college. If weight loss is your main reason for doing cardio, make your exercise count; check out the chart below to find out which type of cardio burns the most calories in 30 minutes.

*All calculations are based on a 130-pound woman.

Type of cardio	Calories burned in 30 min
Cardio class	189
Cross-country skiing	216
Cycling 14 mph	270
Cycling 18 mph	324
Dancing	162
Deep-water running	230
Hiking	194
Indoor cycling class	207
Jumping rope vigorously	330

Keep reading to see how many calories other types of cardio burn.

Super Quick One-Minute Interval Exercise Ideas

Anna Monette Roberts — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:45:00 PST

If 30 minutes of continuous cardio activity is too strenuous for you or you can't commit to the time frame, researchers in Canada have found that a 20-minute workout consisting of one-minute intervals followed by one minute of recovery is an effective method for improving your overall health and fitness level.

To experiment with the concept yourself, complete a one-minute interval at 90 percent of your maximum heart rate (calculate your max heart rate here) and then follow with a minute of recovery. Complete 10 one-minute intervals with one-minute breaks in between.
The whole workout will take you only 20 minutes, yet researchers have found that even this small amount of exercise will help increase your energy and oxygen production as well as regulate your blood sugar. From jump rope to battle ropes, we've gathered seven ways you can try out the one-minute intervals yourself. Do each exercise at your maximum for one minute, then follow with one minute of recovery; repeat ten times. Click here to see our interval ideas.

What Cardio Crimes Do You Commit?

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:53:12 PST

Exercise mistakes are more common than you think, and although some will prevent you from getting a good workout, others can put you at risk for pain or injury. Learn about these common cardio mistakes and share whether you're guilty of committing them.

Source: Thinkstock

Top 10 Mistakes You Make on the Elliptical Trainer

Prevention — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:08:59 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

By Lisa Hoehn, Prevention

As the weather drops, more and more people head straight to one machine in their gym - the elliptical trainer. According to a 2008 report from the International Health, Racquet, and Sportsclub Association, the number of users of elliptical trainers in health clubs grew sevenfold from 1997 to 2007. And while you may be proud of yourself for making it to the gym and squeezing in some cardio, taking a lackadaisical approach to your elliptical workout and casually spinning your legs while reading a magazine or watching TV isn't going to blast away those holiday cookies. Here, 10 mistakes you frequently make on the elliptical and how to fix them so you maximize calorie burn while adding fun to your ho-hum routine.

Top Workout Ideas For When the Gym Is Too Crowded

1. You’re too lazy to enter your information.
Most machines are calibrated for a 150-pound person - but personalizing your stats will help you get a more accurate calorie read. Aim to burn around 100 calories per 10 minutes, says Jennifer Cassetty, an exercise physiologist.

2. Your resistance is zero.
You might feel like a million bucks spinning at a mile a minute, but without resistance, you’re not going to see results, says Röbynn Europe, a personal trainer at Chelsea Piers in New York City. Make sure that you’re using enough resistance to push and pull through the stride. Then continue at a moderate pace until you feel like you’ve done all you can do. "You shouldn’t feel like you have even five minutes left in you when you step off," she says.

3. You're a sloucher.
Standing up straight helps to lengthen your abs, giving you a chance to engage your core and even work your upper body muscles, Cassetty says. Certified personal trainer Neal I. Pire, MA, CSCS, president of Inspire Training Systems in New Jersey, recommends hopping on a machine with an upper body component so you can engage even more muscles - and blast more fat. Can't find a machine that lets you pump your arms? Let go: some research suggests that leaning on machine armrests during exercise reduces calorie burning.

How to Buy a Cardio Machine

4. Your machine sounds like it’s going to take off.
If you can hear the purr of the machine while you’re exercising, it means that you’re going too fast without enough resistance - which means you're not getting the most calorie burn out of your time, Cassetty says. Keeping a steady, moderate pace at a resistance that forces you to use your muscles will get, and keep, your heart rate up.

Learn four more fitness mistakes after the break.