Top Calorie-Burning Exercise Revealed: Maximize Your Workout

Understanding the Link Between Physical Fitness and Calorie Burn

Irrespective of the fitness path you choose, be it bodybuilding or running, both have their unique benefits. According to Austin “Ozzie” Gontang, a licensed psychotherapist at Pacific Pearl of La Jolla, the best exercise depends on what you are willing to do consistently. However, certain exercises yield more measurable results in terms of calorie burning and should be included in your routine if that is your primary fitness goal.

Why Do Certain Exercises Burn More Calories?

One factor to consider when choosing exercises for calorie burn is that some workouts engage moremuscle groups than others. As Gontang explains, exercises that engage multiple muscles and can be performed at high intensity result in a higher calorie burn. Another factor affecting calorie burn is the intensity and duration of the activity. High-intensity, full-body workouts, for instance, lead to a higher calorie burn.

Factors Influencing Calorie Burn

However, it’s not just the type of exercise that affects calorie burn. As David Herzberg, a physical therapist and owner of Launch Physical Therapy and Sports Performance Center in Phoenix, points out, age and gender can also impact how many calories are burned during each activity. Moreover, your overall weight and body composition play a significant role. For instance, the bigger you are, the more energy your body exerts to move, and hence the more calories you burn.

What Exercise Burns The Most Calories?

According to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, certain exercises burn more calories than others, depending on your weight and the intensity of the activity. For example, a 154-pound person burns different amounts of calories per hour when engaging in activities like stretching, weightlifting, bicycling, dancing, golfing, hiking, playing basketball, walking briskly, swimming, bicycling at 10 mph or greater, and running.

Effective Calorie Burning for Those With Limited Mobility

If you have limited mobility or are not in good enough shape for vigorous physical activities, there are still exercises you can perform to burn calories effectively. Gontang suggests starting small with low-impact activities such as walking, water aerobics, swimming, cycling or stationary biking, using an elliptical trainer, and Pilates. For those with mobility issues, chair exercises can be beneficial.

Mixing Up Workouts for Optimal Calorie Burn

Another strategy is to mix up your physical activities to challenge different muscle groups and provide rest when needed. Yoga or dynamic stretching, for instance, can be incorporated into your workout routine, advises Ben Fung, DPT, a clinical physical therapist and spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association. Herzberg echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that any type of movement or low-impact activity can burn calories.