Feature: Healthy Lifestyles

Choosing the Right Exercise for Weight Loss and Health

Author: John Phillip
Published: August 31, 2010 at 12:18 pm
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People choose many different types of exercise programs, depending on the goal they intend to accomplish. Some choose cardio aerobic activities such as walking and running in an effort to lose weight, while others gravitate toward resistance forms of exercise to build muscle and improve health. It’s important to combine the proper intensity with an appropriate fitness routine to achieve the proper end result that’s right for you.

Choosing Your Fitness Goal
Physical activity guidelines have been established by the US Department of Health and Human Services which are helpful in determining the proper exercise routine to follow, depending on your fitness level and ultimate goal. Individuals trying to lose weight and body fat will want to hit the treadmill with a moderate intensity level for at least 60 minutes on most days of the week.

Many people understand that it’s important to choose some type of exercise to improve health and retain muscle mass, while strengthening the most important muscle in the body, the heart. Here you’ll want to concentrate more on short burst, high intensity resistance exercises with 10 to 20 reps working all major muscle groups. At least 20 to 30 minutes is needed each day to maintain muscle tone and optimal body conditioning.

Top Exercises for Weight Loss
Always combine regular exercise with a well balanced, reduced calorie diet for maximum results. The best weight loss exercises will combine both an aerobic aspect as well as a toning element to drive your metabolism and burn fat.

Step Aerobics:
The main point behind cardio aerobic conditioning exercises is to raise the heart rate into the training zone which increases metabolism and triggers fat release. Step aerobics is an ideal form of fitness training that targets the hips, legs and belly, prime targets for toning and weight reduction. Step aerobics can burn up to 800 calories per hour and qualifies as an inexpensive and highly effective conditioning method to burn fat.

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Article Author: John Phillip

John Phillip is a Diet, Health and Nutrition Researcher/Writer reporting on the cutting edge use of lifestyle modifications to enhance and improve the length and quality of life. John is the author of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan', a Free E-Book available for download from his blog. …

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