IF you’re trying to lose weight it can be a bit of a slog.
But we all know that exercise can help burn calories, which goes hand in hand with weight loss.
GettyIf you’re trying to lose weight, then there are some sports you could try, experts say[/caption]
The NHS states that a healthy diet combined with exercise can help you reach your goals.
Alongside this, taking part in regular exercise can help boost your heart health, as well as your mental health, studies have found.
Easy workouts have been shown to cut your risk of death.
Medics state that it’s never too late, with taking up exercise in later life also having been proven to slash your risk of dying early.
If you don’t fancy hammering it out on the treadmill though, experts say taking up a sport could be beneficial.
These five sports could help you burn calories with just one hour sessions.
1. Swimming
Experts at the Mayo Clinic said you could be missing out if you’re not taking a regular dip.
Per hour, you could burn up to 800 calories depending on your weight, strokes and effort you put in.
“Water is 800 denser than air. Get a cardio and resistance workout in one.
“It’s perfect for cross training as low impact means less wear and tear on your joints,” they added.
Swimming is also a great way to reduce stress levels and can also be a social activity, they said.
2. Parkour
Athlete Ed Scott previously said he can burn up to 850 calories in just one Parkour session.
Parkour is the art of getting from point A to point B, overcoming any obstacles in your way and doing it with a certain flair.
The British Parkour athlete said: “Parkour is a the best workout you can have as it involves the whole body, obviously the legs are used the most in running, jumping and landing but when it comes to climbing or holding yourself up it is important to have good core and arm strength to help perform the skills needed to get from point A to point B.”
Not only this, but Ed said that over the years he has been training, his major muscle groups have developed and his bones have become stronger.
“Low, medium and high impact movements throughout the course of a parkour session have helped me build stronger bones from the impact they endure,” he said.
3. Running
It might not be what you want to hear, but running is one of the best exercises to burn calories.
GP Dr Wayne Osborne previously said that running can burn up to 465 calories in just 30 minutes.
This would of course depend on the pace of the run.
It’s a great exercise as it helps with heart health and also works muscles in your legs, core, arms and upper body.
So, lace up!
4. Kickboxing
While you might not think getting in the ring is for you, experts say kickboxing is a sport that could help you burn close to 860 calories an hour.
Gabbi Berkow, personal trainer and nutritionist said that this exercise will work your upper body and core without a lot of impact to your legs.
Studies have also shown that it can improve cardio, strength, agility, balance, coordination, upper body fitness, and aerobic power.
5. Rowing
Rowing is a great outdoor activity – but if you don’t see yourself speeding down the Thames, most commercial gyms are equipped with a rowing machine.
Speaking to Women’s Health, Berkow said this exercise could burn up to 713 calories an hour, if the dial is set to 150 watts on the machine.
“Rowing works your entire body—glutes, hamstrings, back, core, hips, and arms. It’s great for strengthening your posterior chain, a.k.a., the back of your body,” she said.
These five sports can help you burn calories, which in turn can lead to weight loss.
However, other sports, such as weight lifting, should not be discounted.
Experts previously found that lifting weights for three seconds a day is enough to build muscle.
A single maximum effort rep, five days a week for a month, was found to boost couch potatoes’ biceps strength by up to 12 per cent.
It shows out-of-condition or older people can beef up without long gym sessions, researchers say.
Professor Ken Nosaka said: “If we find the three-second rule applies to other muscles, you might be able to do a whole-body exercise in less than 30 seconds.
“Also, performing only one maximal contraction per day means you do not get sore.
“Many people think you have to spend a lot of time exercising but it’s not the case. Short, quality exercise can still be good for your body.”
Experts also previously found that lifting weights can boost a person’s brain power.