Hate running? Here are 8 great alternatives to burn calories
If you’re trying to drop a few kilos, running is absolutely a great form of exercise to help you to burn through your daily calorie intake and lose weight. But it’s not for everyone – some of us just hate pounding the pavement (or treadmill). Others find the high impact of running simply too hard on the body, and others find it just plain boring.
Whatever the reason, if you hate running, here are eight alternatives to running that will help you to burn those calories.
1. Skipping
It’s time for a trip down memory lane with a favourite childhood activity. Skipping helps develop strength in your calf muscles, ankles, and core, and it’s a solid cardiovascular workout. According to Women’s Health, it’s also extremely efficient, as jumping rope for 10 minute per day can have a similar effect to running for 30 minutes. But most of all, it can burn 200 – 300 calories in just 15 minutes! If you’re wondering how to incorporate jumping rope into your routine, Healthline have some excellent tips for incorporating it into your training – from a hot and sweaty endurance workout through to skipping as a warm up or a quick cardio burst at the end of your strength training.
2. Walking
Most of us are aware that walking is one of the best forms of exercise, because it’s low impact, doesn’t cost much (other than a decent pair of walking shoes) and you can pretty much do it anywhere and anytime. Essentially, the longer you walk, the more calories you burn, and here’s a great calculator that will help you to find out how many calories you’re burning while you out enjoying some fresh air. Every little bit helps, so next time you’re heading to the car or the elevator, think about walking or taking the stairs instead. Better yet, try to make a habit of walking for an hour before breakfast and watch those extra kilos start to melt away.
3. Cycling
Remember that bike that’s been gathering cobwebs in your garage from lack of use? Well it’s time to dust it off if you want to lose weight! As a baseline figure, cycling helps you burn between 500 to 600 calories per hour. It’s a great cardio exercise and it’s perfect for anyone experiencing knee pain or recovering from a knee injury. Cycle around for an hour each day, or jump on the stationery bike at the gym and watch how you burn through those calories.
4. Swimming
Swim for leisure or swim to lose weight - whatever your goal is, the average person will burn between 430 to 575 calories per hour by enjoying a leisurely swim. It’s a low-impact form of exercise while still being great for your heart, muscle strength, and endurance. If you have joint issues or don’t enjoy rigorous physical exercise, then swimming is for you!
5. Boxing
Boxing is perfect if you like a high cardio workout with a bit of a challenge to help you burn off those pesky calories. It’s a fantastic way to release energy while improving your endurance and balance and strengthening your upper body and core muscles. But the best thing about it is that you can burn some serious calories just by boxing with a heavy bag.
6. Rowing
Rowing is awesome if you want a more demanding form of physical activity that’s still pretty low impact. You may be seated, but rowing works on your entire body – core, back, hamstrings, glutes and arms, helping you burn around 500 calories in an hour. Essentially, it wakes up all your muscles, keeping your heart pumping and your muscles building. In other words, rowing helps you shed excess fat and improve your metabolism. If this sounds like the exercise for you, find a gym with a rowing machine and get started!
7. HIIT training
If you want to go all out burning up those calories, then High-Intensity Interval Training or HIIT is for you. It’s a complete set of short exercises, like high knees, medicine ball slams, burpees, and mountain climbers, followed by brief rest periods. Calorie burn for this exercise is high, and it’s great for cardiovascular health. Other benefits include reducing the risk of diabetes and increasing muscle strength and endurance.
8. Dancing
Dancing is such an enjoyable way to burn that fat away! Obviously the amount of calories you burn will depend on the intensity, workout duration, and your body weight, but according to Fitness Blender you can burn through around 400 calories doing an hour of hip hop, salsa or ballet. It’s a fantastic exercise to keep your heart rate up, build your muscles, and lose weight so it’s time to start dancing like no one’s watching!
Wrapping up
If running is not your thing, then these exercises and physical activities are a great way to incorporate movement into your daily routine and burn those calories. And remember - if you need help to enrol in a gym or buy any exercise equipment, we’re here to help. Just take a look at our cash loans up to $5,000 to find out how quick and easy it is to get your hands on some extra funds. Once a loan is approved, the cash is usually in your bank account within a few hours – so you can start burning those calories in next to no time!