When it comes to losing weight and burning calories, cardio workouts like running or cycling are often perceived as the best options. However, these types of workouts can be monotonous and sometimes even boring.

That’s where total body workouts come in; they offer a more dynamic workout that engages all of the muscles in your body, resulting in an increased calorie burn.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at total body workouts and explore how you can maximize calorie burn during these types of exercises. Here’s what we’ll cover:.

What Are Total Body Workouts?

As the name suggests, total body workouts involve exercising all of the muscle groups in your body in a single workout session.

These types of exercises are great for individuals who want quick and effective workouts that engage all of their muscle groups, rather than focusing on isolated exercises or muscle groups.

A typical total body workout consists of exercises that engage the upper body, lower body, and core. This includes exercises such as jumping jacks, squats, push-ups, and plank holds.

Total body workouts can be performed with or without weights, and can include high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or circuit training to increase the intensity of the workout.

The Benefits of Total Body Workouts

There are numerous benefits that come with incorporating total body workouts into your fitness routine. Here are some of the most notable benefits:.

1. Increased Calorie Burn

One of the biggest benefits of total body workouts is that they engage more muscle groups than isolated exercises, which means you’ll burn more calories.

When you engage more muscle groups, your body has to work harder, which leads to a higher calorie burn per exercise session.

2. Improved Cardiovascular Health

Total body workouts can also improve cardiovascular health. These types of exercises get your heart rate up, leading to improved blood circulation and oxygen delivery to your muscles.

Over time, this can lead to a decreased risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions.

3. Increased Strength and Muscle Tone

Total body workouts engage all of your muscles, including your core, which can lead to increased strength and muscle tone over time. These types of exercises are great for individuals who want to build muscle and improve their overall physique.

4. Variety

If you’re someone who gets bored easily during workouts, total body workouts offer a great way to switch things up.

There are countless exercises and variations that you can incorporate into your total body workout routine, so you never have to do the same workout twice.

How to Maximize Calorie Burn During Total Body Workouts

If you’re looking to maximize calorie burn during your total body workouts, here are a few tips to keep in mind:.

1. Incorporate HIIT

HIIT is a great way to increase the intensity of your workouts and burn more calories. During a HIIT workout, you perform short bursts of high-intensity exercise followed by brief periods of rest.

This style of workout is known to increase calorie burn, even after your workout is over.

2. Use Weights

Using weights during your total body workouts can increase the intensity of your exercises and lead to a higher calorie burn.

For example, adding dumbbells to your lunges or squats can engage more muscle groups and increase the overall workload on your body.

3. Challenge Yourself

If you want to maximize calorie burn, it’s important to consistently challenge yourself during your workouts. This can mean increasing the weight you use, performing more reps or sets, or trying more difficult exercises.

4. Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated during your workouts is important for a number of reasons, one of which is to maximize calorie burn. When you’re dehydrated, your body has to work harder to provide your muscles with the energy they need to perform.

By staying hydrated, you can ensure that your body is able to perform at its highest level, resulting in a higher calorie burn.

Examples of Total Body Workouts

If you’re looking for inspiration for your next total body workout, here are a few examples:.

1. HIIT Workout

Circuit 1:.

Jumping jacks – 30 seconds
Push-ups – 30 seconds
Squats – 30 seconds

Circuit 2:.

Mountain climbers – 30 seconds
Lunges – 30 seconds
Plank hold – 30 seconds

Circuit 3:.

Burpees – 30 seconds
Tricep dips – 30 seconds
Jump squats – 30 seconds

2. Total Body Strength Workout

Circuit 1:.

Bench press – 12 reps
Back rows – 12 reps
Lunges – 12 reps

Circuit 2:.

Shoulder press – 12 reps
Bicep curls – 12 reps
Squats – 12 reps

Circuit 3:.

Deadlifts – 12 reps
Sit-ups – 12 reps
Plank hold – 30 seconds

Conclusion

Total body workouts are a great way to engage all of the major muscle groups in your body, leading to increased calorie burn and numerous other health benefits.

By incorporating HIIT, using weights, and consistently challenging yourself, you can ensure that you’re getting the most out of your total body workouts. So, the next time you’re looking for a dynamic and effective workout, give total body workouts a try!.