Sorry ellitpical, but your calorie burning ways are no match for these three sizzling cardio machines. For an extra oomph, ditch your normal cardio routine and burn up to 10 calories per minute with the Rowing Machine, StepMill, or VersaClimber.
Rowing Machine: Instead of waiting in line for the most popular machines such as the elliptical or treadmill, hop on a Rowing Machine and burn 8 or more calories per minute while sitting! To use: grab the handles and push your feet against the foot pedals so your shins are parallel to the floor. Lean back as you pull the handles to your abs, elbows down and slightly out. Use this interval routine to prevent boredom and get a maximum calorie burn. Warm up for 5 minutes at a low level of 2 or 4 intensity, where you can still hold a conversation. Then push for 1 minute at a heart pumping level 7 to 9 intensity and then reduce to a level 4 for 2 minutes. Cool down for 18 minutes at a level 3. Then repeat these power and recovery intervals 6 times.
StepMill: This machine gives you no opportunity to slack off like many of us do on the elliptical. Burn an extra 3 calories per minute (in comparison to the elliptical) with this routine. Start at a level 4 intensity for 5 minutes to warm up. Then, every 2 minutes increase your intensity by 1 for 10 minutes, so your last 2 minutes would be at level 9 intensity. Then, do the same but instead decrease your intensity by 1 every 2 minutes. Cool down at a level 3 for 5 minutes.
VersaClimber: Focus on pushing from your legs rather than your arms and tush to engage in the VersaClimber’s full calorie burning capacity. You may have to start with only 10 minutes on this challenging machine, so add it to your normal cardio routine until you have to strength and endurance to go longer. Warm up at a level 4 intensity for 2 minutes. Then increase to a moderate level 5 intensity for for 2 minutes and then push yourself to reach a level 8 or 9 intensity for 1 minute. Repeat this interval. As you get stronger, increase the number of interval repetitions. Then cool down at a level 3 intensity for 2 minutes.
-Emily Freeman
