Depending on your beginning level of fitness, the workouts recommended will vary greatly. In choosing weight loss workouts you need to keep in mind that different exercises work different muscle groups and usually come in two categories of low impact or high impact weight loss workouts. If you are a bit older and have issues with arthritis you will no doubt be looking for low or zero impact weight loss workouts. Examples of low or zero impact workouts include cycles on the treadmill, Nordic trainers, recumbent bikes, or elliptical machines. Other examples include water aerobics and other forms of aquatic exercise including swimming. Any weight loss workouts in the pool are considered zero impact and are recommended for anyone who have joint or arthritis issues. The water also tends to decrease the chance of inflammation and swelling with exercise.
Using a variety of fitness machines – treadmills, stationary and recumbent bikes, ellipticals and Nordic trainers allow the user to program any number of workouts from very simple flat course trips to elaborate mountain treks on some of the higher end stationary bikes. LifeCycle makes models that come with a video screen that gives you the illusion you are racing in the Tour de France. Gone are the days where you spend a half hour on the bike sweating staring at the walls.
In our local YMCA’s fitness club they have all of the machines in rows with sign up sheets and included in your membership is time with a personal trainer to assess your condition and to recommend the proper weight loss workouts to achieve your weight loss goals. They have placed several TV screens on the one wall with a different FM station to tune to for sound. That way you can pick from sports, news and entertainment to watch and listen during you weight loss workouts on the machines.