When it comes to working out, personal trainers stress that it’s most important to practice what works for you and your body, and finding this out through trial and experimentation can be fun! With that said, we reached out to personal trainers and health experts for three quick and easy ways to burn even more calories while exercising, and finding out more about your strength along the way. Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Macy Sarbacker, certified personal trainer, wellness expert and Executive Editor of the Macy Michelle Blog.
Add Ankle Weights
Whether you're walking on the treadmill, doing jumping jacks, jogging in place or any other similar activity, Sarbacker suggests adding ankle weights to your exercise for added intensity and energy. "No matter what workout you are doing, add ankle weights to burn extra calories," she suggests. "Adding ankle weights works," Sarbacker points out, because you have "more energy expenditure; which results in your body burning more calories."
Workout while Fasting
After waking up or even before dinner, Sarbacker stresses working out *before* eating anything as this allows you to burn even more than you might expect. "Workout in a fasted state," she advises, repeating, "when you work out, do so in a fasted state." This, she says, can help to burn more calories as you are "working off of stored energy, rather than burning food you just consumed."
Walk on an Incline on the Treadmill
While doing your regular treadmill workout, Sarbacker recommends amping it up by doing so on an incline rather than what you're used to. "Walk on an incline on your treadmill," she says, adding, "if you walk regularly, simply increase your incline to burn more calories." This works, she says, because you "increase your heart rate, which in turn helps to burn more calories." With that said, Sarbacker concludes that "switching up your workouts" can bring the most benefits. "If you do the same workout every day for a long period of time, your body gets to used it," she explains. "Change up your workouts by trying new classes, adding in new equipment, etc." This helps burn more calories, she notes, because it "keeps your body guessing." Noted!
