We Heart CARDIO

Written By Leah Britt • 2 min read

“Do I have to Run?”

“What burns the most Calories?”

These are two questions I get a lot as a trainer. We have heard this advertisement  many times for fitness equipment – “Maximize your workout and burn over 1,000 calories per hour!”  Now wouldn’t that be fantastic? A quite wild claim and it’s true, you can burn 1,000 calories per hour— if you crank up the machine to the max level and if you happen to have special powers.

Now if you’re a beginner, you’ll last about 30 seconds at that pace, at which point you will have burned 8.3 calories, and then EMS will be shoveling you off the floor and hauling your injured body away on a stretcher.

The BEST approach to calorie burning: Pick an activity that you can carry on for a good while — say, at least 20 to 30  minutes. Yes, running does burn more calories than walking, but if running wipes you out after a half mile or bothers your knees, you’re better off walking. In general, a beginner is capable of burning 4 or 5 calories per minute of exercise, while a very fit person can burn 10 to 12 calories per minute. Stop-and-go sports such as tennis and basketball these can be both anaerobic or aerobic, and can still give you a great workout that contributes to weight loss.

Cardio exercise is only one part of a weight-loss plan. You also need to give a face-lift your eating habits and implement a weight-training program. Also, keep in mind that losing weight is not as easy as it sounds on TV diet commercials. It takes a lot more commitment than just drinking a magical shake for breakfast–And it takes time! Buy a jump  rope and Start jumping—it’s a super way to get in your cardio without ever  leaving your home. Looking for something a little spicer? Take a dance class at  your local gym or dance studio. You can also bike ride, hike, roller blade, kayak,  row, swim –Just get moving!

Leah Britt, holds a Bachelors Degree in Clinical Nutrition and Health Science from Southern Utah University where she was a collegiate athlete. She is certified by International Sports Science Association and The National Academy of Sports Medicine as Personal Trainer.

Leah uses an individual approach to achieving optimal wellness for each and every client. “We are all unique”- no two people have the same metabolism, biochemical make-up, health concerns, behavioral issues or nutritional needs. Failing to address these issues when designing a nutrition and fitness program can lead to poor results and frustration. Leah’s focus is on helping her clients set realistic goals and to achieve lifelong health and wellness.