google HIIT - high intensity interval training.
A typical example is a 1/2 hour run. You jog lightly with bursts of 30 to 90 seconds of flat out sprinting, then drop back down to a casual jog. The sprint should be pushing your limits, you will be huffing and puffing, and your heart will be pounding. Let yourself catch you breath, and let your heart slow down to a manageable level, and then burst out again. 8 bursts is good - not a hard number, change it up.
I've seen examples of tempos of 30s burst - 30s light Xrepeat, or 90s burst, 3min light -- you can change it up.
It need not be sprints - anything where you can safely and effectively stress the body in the same way works. Circuit training with resistance (ie. weights) works great.
Resistance training is essential no matter what. For shredding up you want circuit type that mimics the above routine - lighter weights, higher reps, very short rest. Body weight exercise is great. Compound moves, no isolation moves : squat, press, row, body row, body pullup, deadlift, etc.
Research has shown that for a given period of time you will lose approximately 3X as much body fat with a HIIT regimen versus standard cardio exercise. It has also been shown to have other health benefits that you cannot get from cardio no matter how much time you put into it.
For the elliptical I recommend you point at it and laugh, kick it a few times, and tell the people using them to go fuck themselves. Actually, you could get a good workout by dragging one around the room.
PS - WARM UP PROPERLY! STRETCH AFTER WORKOUTS AND OFF DAYS, AVOID INJURIES! If you haven't been active in a while - GO SLOW! build up strength in joints, tendons, connective tissue and any small stabilizer muscles that may be underdeveloped.
A typical example is a 1/2 hour run. You jog lightly with bursts of 30 to 90 seconds of flat out sprinting, then drop back down to a casual jog. The sprint should be pushing your limits, you will be huffing and puffing, and your heart will be pounding. Let yourself catch you breath, and let your heart slow down to a manageable level, and then burst out again. 8 bursts is good - not a hard number, change it up.
I've seen examples of tempos of 30s burst - 30s light Xrepeat, or 90s burst, 3min light -- you can change it up.
It need not be sprints - anything where you can safely and effectively stress the body in the same way works. Circuit training with resistance (ie. weights) works great.
Resistance training is essential no matter what. For shredding up you want circuit type that mimics the above routine - lighter weights, higher reps, very short rest. Body weight exercise is great. Compound moves, no isolation moves : squat, press, row, body row, body pullup, deadlift, etc.
Research has shown that for a given period of time you will lose approximately 3X as much body fat with a HIIT regimen versus standard cardio exercise. It has also been shown to have other health benefits that you cannot get from cardio no matter how much time you put into it.
For the elliptical I recommend you point at it and laugh, kick it a few times, and tell the people using them to go fuck themselves. Actually, you could get a good workout by dragging one around the room.
PS - WARM UP PROPERLY! STRETCH AFTER WORKOUTS AND OFF DAYS, AVOID INJURIES! If you haven't been active in a while - GO SLOW! build up strength in joints, tendons, connective tissue and any small stabilizer muscles that may be underdeveloped.
