The 10 Best Fast Weight Loss Exercises

When you’re trying to lose weight, any exercise you do is worth the effort.  If you want to lose weight fast, you need a combination of cardio and strength training exercises.  There is no end to the number of exercises you can incorporate into your workout.  Of course some exercises are better than others, so here are the 10 best cardio and strength training exercises you can do to lose weight fast.

The Best Cardio Exercises

1. Running.  This is one of the best cardio exercises.  All you really need to get started is a good pair of running shoes.  You can run outside or even in the comfort of your home on a treadmill.  You can choose how fast you want to run and increase the intensity when you can.  If you really want to amp up your workout, try running on an uneven surface like sand.  You’ll burn even more calories.
2. Spinning.  Spinning is indoor cycling on a special spinning bike.  You usually do this exercise in a spinning class.  You’ll burn some serious calories by the time the class is over.  A great feature of this workout is that the intensity and speed is usually varied throughout the workout, giving you the best workout possible.  If you do this workout often, you’ll also tone up your lower body.
3. Step Aerobics.  If you think this is only for women with big hair and neon leggings, you’re wrong.  Step aerobics is an amazing workout.  You can find some great tapes if you want to work out at home, or you can join a class at a fitness center.  You usually involve your entire body in the workout, which is just what you need to quickly lose weight.  Sometimes you can find classes or tapes that include strength training moves into the workout, giving you a complete workout.
4. Kickboxing.  This is a fun workout that burns major calories.  As with step aerobics you can find videos to use at home or you can take a class.  They have workouts that use a bag and ones that don’t.  The choice is yours.  Besides burning calories, you’ll build up amazing strength with this workout.  Just make sure to learn the proper technique, so you don’t injure yourself.
5. Sports.  Almost any sport you can play will be a great workout.  The benefit of sports is that since you’ll enjoy doing it, it won’t feel like exercise.  The best sport is one you enjoy, whether it’s basketball, tennis, swimming, etc. 

The Best Strength Training Exercises

6. Squats.  Squats work almost all the major muscles of your lower body.  If you can only do one exercise for your lower body, this should be the one you choose.  You can use a weighted bar if you want to add intensity to your squats.
7. Push ups.  This is the best exercise you can do for your upper body.  You’ll work your arms, shoulders, back, chest, and even your abs.  Once you’re more advanced, you can try variations like wide push ups, narrow push ups, or one arm push ups.
8. Lunges.  As with squats, lunges work several muscles of your lower body including your glutes, quads, and hamstrings.  You can hold dumbbells at your sides to make them more intense.  Make sure your knee never extends past your ankle, or you could injure your knee. 
9. The Plank.  If you want an exercise that will work your core and make your abs burn, this is it.  You may need to start out slowly with this exercise and build up to holding the position for longer periods of time.  There are several variations of this exercise you can try when you’re more advanced.
10. Combo Exercises.  This is where you combine exercises that work two different muscle groups into one movement.  For instance you can do an overhead press with a squat.  The more muscles you work, the more calories you burn.  It also is a time saver if you need to fit in a quick workout.