Losing weight is a challenge that requires dedication, focus, and hard work. But with the right tools and resources, it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Whether you’re looking to lose weight at home or in the gym, here are some of the best exercises to help you reach your goals.
From cardio to strength, these exercises can help you burn calories and increase daily caloric burn while looking and feeling great!
Burning Calories Isn’t The Only Benefit
Okay, I know you are here to learn the best exercises for weight loss, but I want to touch on this briefly! Many people are looking to lose weight without exercise, however, exercise should be part of your regular routine.
Exercise has many additional benefits beyond losing weight. Here are some additional benefits:
- Improves cardiovascular health and reduces the risk of heart disease
- Boosts mood and reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Increases energy levels and reduces fatigue
- Builds and strengthens muscles and bones
- Improves flexibility, balance, and coordination
- Reduces the risk of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancer
- Improves sleep quality and duration
- Enhances brain function and cognitive performance
- Boosts immune system function and reduces the risk of infections and illnesses
- Increases overall quality of life and longevity.
Cardiovascular Exercises For Losing Weight
Cardio actually isn’t the best way to lose weight, however, there are certain types of cardio that will make it easier!
What is Cardio?

Cardio, short for cardiovascular exercise, is any physical activity that raises your heart rate and gets your blood pumping. When you engage in cardio, your body increases its demand for oxygen, which causes you to breathe faster and deeper.
Cardio exercises can be anything from running, cycling, swimming, dancing, or even jumping jacks. They help to improve heart health, burn calories, and increase endurance. They are a great way to improve overall fitness and are beneficial for weight loss, reducing the risk of chronic diseases, and improving mental health.
The best part about cardio is that it can be easily incorporated into your daily routine. You don’t need any fancy equipment or a gym membership to reap the benefits of cardio. Just find an activity that you enjoy and get moving!
Best Cardio Options For Weight Loss

When it comes to burning calories, some types of cardio are more effective than others. Generally speaking, the more intense the activity, the more calories you will burn. Here are some types of cardio that are known to burn the most calories:
Running
Running is a high-impact activity that burns a lot of calories. The exact number of calories burned will depend on factors like your, speed, and distance covered, but on average, you can expect to burn around 600-800 calories per hour.
Cycling
Cycling is a low-impact activity that is great for people with joint problems. It is also an excellent way to burn calories, with an average calorie burn of around 500-700 calories per hour.
Rowing
Rowing is a full-body workout that engages all major muscle groups. It is also an incredibly effective calorie-burning exercise, with an average calorie burn of around 500-700 calories per hour.
Jumping rope
Jumping rope is a high-intensity cardio exercise that can burn a lot of calories in a short amount of time. It has an average calorie burn of around 600-800 calories per hour.
Swimming
Swimming is a low-impact exercise that is easy on the joints. It is also a great way to burn calories, with an average burn of around 400-600 calories per hour.
How Cardio Can Help You Lose Weight
Cardio is an effective way to burn calories, which can help with your weight loss efforts. When you engage in cardio exercise, your heart rate increases, and your body starts to use stored energy (in the form of fat and glycogen) to fuel your workout. As you continue to exercise, your body burns more and more calories, resulting in a calorie deficit.

To easily incorporate cardio into your daily, start by finding an activity that you enjoy, such as walking, jogging, cycling, or dancing. Then, aim to incorporate that activity into your daily routine in a way that feels manageable and sustainable for you.
Here are some simple ways to incorporate cardio into your daily routine:
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator
- Park further away from your destination and walk the rest of the way
- Take a 10-minute walk after meals
- Incorporate active hobbies into your leisure time, such as hiking or dancing
- Try a fitness class or workout video that you enjoy
- Play an active game with your kids
By incorporating cardio into your daily routine, you can burn calories, boost your metabolism, and achieve your weight loss goals. Just remember to start slowly, listen to your body, and aim for consistency rather than perfection.
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) For Weight Loss
HIIT is a simple way to burn very quickly. One of the huge benefits of HIIT is its ability to burn calories long after you have finished the workout!
What is HIIT?

HIIT, or High-Intensity Interval Training, is a form of exercise that involves short bursts of intense activity followed by periods of rest or lower-intensity activity. During a HIIT workout, you alternate between periods of all-out effort and active recovery, usually for a total of 20-30 minutes.
The idea behind HIIT is to push your to its maximum capacity during the high-intensity intervals, which can help to burn more calories, improve cardiovascular fitness, and increase muscle strength and endurance. Additionally, HIIT has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Best HIIT Exercises For Weight Loss

When it comes to burning calories during a HIIT workout, exercises that engage multiple muscle groups and require maximum effort tend to be the most effective. Many of the best exercises in the other categories will also fit well into this category so I won’t include those here. Here are some HIIT exercises that can help you burn the most calories:
Burpees
Burpees are a full-body exercise that combines a squat, plank, and jump. They are known for being challenging but effective, with an average calorie burn of around 10-15 calories per minute.
Mountain climbers
Mountain climbers are a full-body exercise that engages your core, legs, and upper body. They are also great for improving cardiovascular fitness and have an average calorie burn of around 10-12 calories per minute.
Kettlebell swings
Kettlebell swings are a full-body exercise that can help you build strength and burn calories. They have an average calorie burn of around 10-12 calories per minute.
How Does HIIT help You Lose Weight?
HIIT can help with weight loss in a number of ways. Firstly, it helps to boost your metabolism, meaning that your body continues to burn calories even after your workout is over. Secondly, HIIT has been shown to help preserve lean muscle mass, which can help you burn more calories throughout the day. Lastly, HIIT can help to reduce belly fat and improve insulin sensitivity, both of which are important for overall health and weight loss.
To easily incorporate HIIT into your daily routine, start by selecting exercises that you enjoy and feel comfortable with. most HIIT workouts can be done with bodyweight exercises or with equipment such as dumbbells, resistance bands, or a stationary bike. A typical HIIT workout should last between 20-30 minutes, and should include short bursts of high-intensity exercise, followed by periods of rest or lower-intensity activity.
Here are some simple ways to incorporate HIIT into your daily routine:
- Try a HIIT workout video or class
- Incorporate bodyweight exercises into your daily routine, such as squats, lunges, and push-ups
- Use a timer or stopwatch to create your own HIIT workout at home
- Add bursts of high-intensity activity to your favorite workouts, such as jogging or cycling
By incorporating HIIT into your daily routine, you can burn calories, boost your metabolism, and achieve your weight loss goals. Just remember to start slowly, listen to your body, and aim for consistency rather than perfection.
Strength Training To Lose Weight
Although a combination of strength training and cardio is necessary to maintain overall health, strength training is probably one of the best methods for losing weight and maintaining it.
What is Strength Training?

Strength training, also known as resistance training or weightlifting, is a type of exercise that involves using weights or resistance to build strength, endurance, and muscle mass. The goal of strength training is to challenge your muscles through resistance, causing them to break down and rebuild stronger over time.
Strength training, also known as resistance training or weightlifting, is a type of exercise that involves using weights or resistance to build strength, endurance, and muscle mass. The goal of strength training is to challenge your muscles through resistance, causing them to break down and rebuild stronger over time.
Strength training can be done with a variety of equipment, including dumbbells, resistance bands, weight machines, and bodyweight exercises. Some common exercises include squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and pull-ups.
Strength training has numerous benefits beyond building muscle, including improving bone density, reducing the risk of injury, and increasing metabolism. Additionally, strength training has been shown to be an effective way to lose weight, as it helps to build lean muscle mass, which burns more calories than even at rest.
Best Strength Training Exercises to Lose Weight

Strength training exercises that engage multiple muscle groups and involve compound movements tend to burn the most calories. Here are some examples of strength training exercises that can help you burn more calories:
Squats
Squats are a compound exercise that engage your glutes, hamstrings, quads, and core. They can be done with or without weights, and have an average calorie burn of around 10-12 calories per minute.
Deadlifts
Deadlifts are a full-body exercise that target your glutes, hamstrings, lower back, and core. They are typically done with a barbell or dumbbells and have an average calorie burn of around 8-10 calories per minute.
Lunges
Lunges are a unilateral exercise that engage your quads, hamstrings, glutes, and core. They can be done with or without weights and have an average calorie burn of around 6-8 calories per minute.
Bench Press
The bench press is a compound exercise that targets your chest, shoulders, and triceps. It is typically done with a barbell or dumbbells and has an average calorie burn of around 6-8 calories per minute.
Pull-ups
Pull-ups are a compound exercise that target your back, shoulders, and arms. They can be done with a pull-up bar or assisted machine, and have an average calorie burn of around 6-8 calories per minute.
How Strength Training Helps You Lose Weight
Strength training can be an effective way to lose weight because it helps to build and maintain lean muscle mass, which burns more calories than fat even at rest. As you increase your muscle mass through strength training, your metabolism also increases, helping you to burn more calories throughout the day.
To easily incorporate strength training into your daily routine, start by selecting exercises that you enjoy and feel comfortable with. Strength training can be done with equipment such as dumbbells, resistance bands, or weight machines, or with bodyweight exercises such as push-ups, squats, and lunges.
Here are some simple ways to incorporate strength training into your daily routine:
- Add resistance exercises to your existing workout routine, such as adding weight to your squats or lunges.
- Incorporate full-body exercises into your routine, such as deadlifts or bench presses.
- Do bodyweight exercises during commercial breaks or other small pockets of time throughout the day.
- Take a strength training class at a gym or community center.
When incorporating strength training into your routine, it’s important to start gradually, focusing on proper form and technique to avoid injury. Aim to strength train at least two to three times a week, allowing for adequate rest and recovery between weight training sessions. By incorporating strength training into your daily routine, you can build muscle mass, boost your metabolism, and achieve your weight loss goals.
The Best Exercises for Weight Loss
Exercise can be an effective tool for weight loss as it burns calories, builds muscle, and boosts metabolism. Regular exercise also helps to improve overall health and well-being by reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, improving mood and mental health, and increasing energy levels.
However, it’s important to choose exercises that are enjoyable and sustainable in order to maintain a consistent exercise routine. This may involve trying different types of exercises until you find something that you enjoy, and incorporating exercise into your daily routine in a way that works for you. Consistency is key when it comes to exercise and weight loss, so finding an exercise routine that you can stick with over the long term is crucial for achieving and maintaining your weight loss goals.
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