What exercises burn the most calories?

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Expert Comments

03/24/25 10:10am

Cardio and aerobic exercises are your best bet if you're trying to burn the most calories while you're working out. Aim to include about 150 minutes of cardio spread throughout the week so you stay consistent with your exercise plan and calorie goal. Some of the best exercises you can do include:

Running
Swimming
Cycling
Jumping rope
Rowing
Jumping jacks
Butt kicks
Mountain climbers
Planks

If you're at the gym and want the best exercise machines for burning calories, stick to the treadmill, elliptical trainer, stationary bike, or stair climber.

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Christopher Carreiro
Certified Personal Trainer

03/24/25 10:28am

Jump-roping, sprinting, and using a rowing machine are all great for burning a lot of calories. You can also burn 1000 calories in 1 hour doing kettlebell workouts.

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Monica Morris
ACE Certified Personal Trainer

03/31/25 12:10pm

Simply put, the key to burning more calories is an increased heart rate . The closer you get to your max heart rate (220 - your age = max heart rate), the more calories will be burnt.

The exercises that increase heart rate most effectively require jump training otherwise known as plyometrics (I.e. jump squats, jump lunges, burpees, skaters, butt kicks). If jumping isn’t your thing, boxing also increases the heart rate close to what it would be while doing plyometrics training.

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Reader Comments

Juan Carlos Peña

03/25/25 3:40pm

If you're looking to burn the most calories, cardiovascular exercises are your best option. Running, swimming, and jump rope are among the most effective. Additionally, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can maximize calorie burn in less time.

Additional Tip:
To boost your results, try combining strength training with cardio. Lifting weights not only burns calories during the workout but also increases your metabolism, helping you burn more calories even at rest.

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