Our Best Cardio Workouts

By the editors of FITNESS magazine

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Laura Doss

Slide 1 of 26

Burn calories and blast fat fast with the best cardio workouts on the treadmill, elliptical, or bike -- or using no equipment at all!

60-Minute Cycling Hill Workout

Don't just coast -- make your next ride a fitness experience with this strength- and stamina-building workout designed by Lance Leener, a cycling and triathlon coach at TriLife in New York City.

Find a hill that takes about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes to climb. Warm up for 15 minutes, moderate effort (RPE 5).
Hill climb 1: Stay seated, use moderate resistance (RPE 6). Recover by pedaling downhill in easy gear (RPE 2).
Hill climb 2: Stay seated, increase resistance (RPE 7). Recover by pedaling downhill in easy gear (RPE 2).
Hill climb 3: Sit halfway up the hill, then stand, using moderate resistance (RPE 7). Recover by pedaling downhill in easy gear (RPE 2).
Hill climb 4: Sit halfway up the hill, then stand using hard resistance (RPE 8). Recover by pedaling downhill in easy gear (RPE 2).
Hill climb 5: Stand the entire way using moderate resistance (RPE 7). Recover by pedaling downhill in easy gear (RPE 2).
Hill climb 6: Stand the entire way using hard resistance (RPE 9). Recover by pedaling downhill in easy gear (RPE 2).
Ride at a moderate effort for about a half hour (RPE 5), then cool down for 5 minutes at easy effort (RPE 3).

Calories burned: 635
Beginner option: Do four repeats: one seated, one half-seated, one standing (moderate resistance), one standing (hard resistance).
Tip: When climbing a hill, push all the way back on the seat to gain extra leverage.

Next: 35-Minute Cycling Speed Workout

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tamiann.serafino wrote:

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3/26/2013 12:46:47 PM Report Abuse

temtom7 wrote:

I love hill climb it is one of my best workout since I was 17 years old. http://www.bestfatburningexercises.org

2/20/2013 06:35:41 AM Report Abuse

laurel202 wrote:

my favorite cardio: Xtreme boxing! It promises to burn 800-1000 calories per class, and judging by my results-I would say its working. If you are in the Vegas area, you have to check out the Xtreme Boxing class at Shine Alternative Fitness! The most fun cardio I have ever taken. I like to end it with anti gravity yoga after!! http://bit.ly/PByB2N

8/7/2012 02:25:53 PM Report Abuse

sandra_foster1 wrote:

Nice cardio workout for beginners, but it should be accompanied by a workout program as well. Then you will have a fit, slim, healthy and beautiful body. I found a very effective complete system from Flavia del Monte. You must try too. http://flaviafitness.info

7/21/2012 07:16:53 AM Report Abuse

a3984502 wrote:

A few months ago I started reading Brilliant Yoga: The Complete Guide to Upgrading Your Body and Life by Sarah Sanders. It helped me discover the amazing benefits of yoga: increased flexibility, stress relief, toned muscles, improved sense of health and wellbeing and so many more. It also helped me lose weight! You can find more info here: http://goodlifefitness.org/yoga

5/22/2012 02:29:00 AM Report Abuse