How to Burn Fat Using Exercise Equipment

When trying to burn fat during an exercise, the most important factor is the duration of your workout. While working harder and running faster will burn more calories, this is mostly helpful in the short term. In order for your body to start burning fat, you need to be working out for at least half an hour. The elliptical machine is an effective tool for losing weight because it is easy on the knees and back so you can go for the duration -- and it is one of the highest calorie burners per minute of any machine, according to WebMD.

Things You'll Need

• Elliptical machine or other cardio machine

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Instructions

Elliptical Machine

• 1

  Position yourself on the elliptical machine. An elliptical machine has pedals similar to a bicycle, but you are in a standing position. You can place your hands on the top of the moving poles or on the machine itself, which is stationary.

• 2

  Turn the machine on and set the resistance to a number you are comfortable with. The higher the number, the more resistance there will be and the heavier it will feel to push down. If you are a beginner, it is a good idea to start with a very low number or even zero and to gradually increase your ability to workout with resistance.

• 3

  Start pedaling. Unlike a treadmill, you do not set the speed and try to keep up, but control the speed yourself by how fast you pedal.

• 4

  Pedal for at least 30 minutes. If you start to get tired, pedal slowly instead of stopping to take a break -- speed up again when you feel re-energized.

Treadmill

• 5

  Position yourself in a standing position in the center of the treadmill.

• 6

  Turn the machine on and slowly increase the speed.

• 7

  Choose an incline if you desire a more intense workout.

• 8

  Walk or run to keep up with the machine.

• 9

  Continue for at least 30 minutes.