Exercise Tips for the Gym

Mistake: Walking or running at one pace

Leisurely strolling on the treadmill or the elliptical for a solid 45 minutes may get you sweating, which will help with temporary weight loss, but there are more effective strategies for your longer term goals. I’m assuming if your goal is to see the scale go down you probably want the weight you lose to be from fat. The most effective cardio workout for fat loss is interval training.

The Fix: Interval training

Instead of shuffling along reading your magazine or watching TV, get ready to work. The bad news is you’ll need to work harder than you have been working. The good news is you can go for a shorter period of time. Plan on a 20- to 30-minute workout. Warm up for 5 to 10 minutes, then perform a 30s-90s interval at a pace you couldn’t hold for longer than that. Your heart rate should be above 85 per cent of your max heart rate or at a point where you couldn’t carry on a conversation. Follow with equal or more recovery period at an easier pace, letting your heart rate come down to under 70% of max. Repeat for five to ten rounds.

More: The Beginner’s Running Plan