Many people who are striving to lose weight often resort to crunches, walking or running to get the job done. Some of the most popular exercises are not the best exercises to lose weight, however. Although walking and running will burn calories, they are not the most efficient way to burn fat. Crunches do not burn fat at all, as they are simply a way to tone abdominal muscles. The best weight loss activities combine aerobic and toning aspects. Ten great exercises for weight loss are provided below.

Step Aerobics

Many of the top exercises to lose weight incorporate aerobics. This mainly targets your legs, hips and bum, which are often the areas that women most want to tone. Doing an hour a day, split into two half an hour sessions, will ensure that you see results within 2 weeks. If you aren’t sure how to do these, check out 7 Best Ab Exercises. Another very similar exercise is bench presses, which go very well in sets with step aerobics. I found it really hard to do them to start with, so make sure you’re doing them right or you’ll see no results!

Swimming

Swimming is definitely a top exercise to lose weight, especially in the summer. Doing lengths up and down the pool for an hour will burn off 800 calories, and also tone almost all of your body. Stay motivated by giving yourself half an hour extra to make use of the Jacuzzi when you’ve finished!

Racquetball

The side to side running involved in this is a great cardio workout, and will also help to tone your thighs and legs. I also find this exercise for losing weight to be much more sociable, which keeps me working out for longer and stops me skipping my gym sessions!

Rowing

Rowing is a brilliant way to tone your arms, and is also very good fun. Get involved with the local rowing club and you’ll get to try it for free, or simply use the rowing machine at the gym. As well as building arm muscle, you’ll also burn calories and get an incredible workout.

Walking

The easiest exercise, brisk walking is a great cardio workout and will also help to tone legs, stomach and hips. Sprinting, walking across hills or walking uphill will add to the amount of calories burnt, and walking tends to be very easy to fit into daily life. Just walking to the train station has made me so much fitter, and it really wakes me up going for a brisk walk in the morning.

Horse Riding

This one may be slightly harder to arrange, but going horse riding once a week is one of the best ways to stay fit, healthy and enjoy nature. The view from up there is so amazing, you won’t notice that your toning your butt, abs and thighs, and burning calories while your at it! You’d be surprised at how cheap it can be to arrange a session once a weekend, and if your feeling extra fit you could even cycle to the stables!

Yoga

Stretching is good for your body and soul, and itis actually an effective exercise for losing weight! Youill notice an improvement in your tone and flexibility, plus a decrease in back pain, all while burning about 180 calories an hourO even more if youire doing more advanced moves and combining more difficult positions.

Soccer

Running around the soccer field with friends or just chasing the kids with the soccer ball is a marvelous way to burn calories and lose weight! Itis also a lot of fun, if you can keep up.

Hiking

Hiking, not to be confused with a gentle walk, will burn about 350 calories and hourO and it gives you quality time outside, seeing nature, spending time with someone you love. Or go it alone and just enjoy the scenery!

Gardening

Another excuse to spend time in the garden o pulling weeds and tending tomatoes, raking leaves and sweeping grass clippings, will burn about 250 calories an hour! Remember to protect yourself from the sun, and keep hydrated, too!