#Muscle weighs a lot. Just about everyone needs to be about 20 lbs heavier or more

[aqua-dan]

At the end of the day in DC fandom, people can obviously headcanon whatever they want when it comes to character's physical appearance, but I always find it so fascinating when people have these WILD height headcanons when like.... most of these characters have canon heights. Like you don't even have to headcanon it. The data is right there?????

[calorieworkouts]

21 Ways to Burn 500 Calories a Day

We all know in order to shed 1 extra pound we need to melt off 3500 calories, to make sure that indicates burning 500 calories each day. So what are the very best ways to burn those 500 calories? Well it depends on how much time you have and exactly how much effort you intend to apply.

The ideal choice of workout is mosting likely to be one that you wish to do, or at the very least that you will certainly appreciate. There is no factor in picking to run for thirty minutes if you don't really like running as well as will certainly postpone going or make justifications for not going.

If the thought of doing one activity for 60 mins is also much to handle then why not divide it up. Do one task for half that amount of time as well as melt 250 calories and after that modification task, or later in the day do a different task till you have worked of another 250 calories. In this way you will certainly have some selection. I think in some cases it is simply easier to obtain it all done in one go yet everyone is different so simply locate what jobs best for you.

The calories you burn in the activities below are all approximate and also based on a lady weighing 135 lbs. The quantity of calories you burn will certainly depend on your weight and how much initiative you are taking into it. If you are much heavier after that you will burn a lot more calories, if you are laid back and also taking the task very easy you will certainly shed much less calories than if you press yourself harder and also operate at a higher strength. Bear in mind that every little thing you do burns calories, wiping the floor, dusting, showering, standing makes use of more calories than taking a seat and so on. Although these tasks alone do not melt several calories it all assists so following time you need to do housework or chores assume of them as methods to burn calories.

So right here you go select the ones you like as well as start shedding off those calories.

Running 30 minutes at 8mph

The ideal form of exercise to melt calories is running. You do not require any equipment and it will yield results quick. I would certainly suggest including stamina training into your workout. Running by itself might aid you melt the calories and shed body fat but, you can likewise begin to shed lean muscular tissue mass, which is not what you desire. Muscle additionally melts calories, it is what offers you shape and also tone to your body. Slimming down does not help you solid your muscles, develop a perky bum or offer you shapely legs, that's done with making use of weight (body weight, weights or weight machines). By including strength training you will keep your muscle mass, help transform your body form as well as boost your metabolic process - which implies burning more calories whilst you rest.

Jogging 60 minutes at 5mph

similar to running although at a gentler rate so you need to choose longer to shed the same amount of calories.

High Strength Interval Training

You can add this to most tasks, it means including intervals where you operate at high strength. This form of training is confirmed to raise the amount of calories shed as well as will certainly also mean you can function out for less time than if you were just exercising at a consistent rate. For even more details read Get Results Faster with High Intensity Training.

Swimming for 60 minutes

I am not chatting regarding delicately travelling backwards and forwards the swimming pool or swimming in the sea, lake etc, you need to be concentrated as well as swim swim, ruptureds of high intensity need to be contributed to get the most out of your session.

Mowing the lawn for 2 hours

not actually an activity that you can do daily, unless you have some crazy grass that grows at an amazing price, yet if you want to add some range to your exercises you can include it in to your regular and also obtain 2 points done at when. If you are taking a look at your lawn and also thinking "no other way will it take 2 hrs to trim" after that add another activity to your day to obtain to the 500 calories, maybe likewise other gardening duties such as pruning the bushes, pulling weeds.

Hiking for 2 hours

similar to walking yet extra energy is typically used up as you must be strolling a bit faster than your typical stroll around the park plus you can include a lot a lot more varied terrain (include hills, mountains, climbing up over fencings etc). You might sign up with a club or go by on your own. Venture out see some locations of all-natural elegance, take advantage of great weather and don't neglect to take lots of water.

Rock climbing for 60 minutes

take up a brand-new sporting activity and also obtain a complete body workout at the same time. Your top body will certainly get a great work out in addition to your legs and you will be burning those calories.

Tennis for 60 minutes

If you are playing a songs match, if increases you will certainly need to play for longer. Tennis is a fantastic sporting activity that will certainly melt the calories yet additionally burn through the time. In virtually any kind of sports that include others time appears to whiz by without you understanding it.

Martial Arts

A session long lasting 50 mins will certainly suffice. Not thinking about fighting styles? Exactly How around Krav Maga or self support courses or also boxing.

Horse riding for 2 hours

This is based on general riding, if you are completing or practicing/training for program jumping or cross country etc after that you will melt more calories.

Aerobics

High effect action aerobics for 50 minutes, if you select low impact step aerobics then you will certainly need to workout for 70 minutes. Water aerobics for 2 hrs to burn 500 calories.

Volleyball for 60 minutes

This is based on coastline volleyball which burns extra calories than your health club based variation! Do not fail to remember to shield yourself from the sunlight. If you do not delight in beach ball after that why not play Ultimate Frisbee on the coastline, the less gamers the a lot more calories you will burn.

Cycling for 75 minutes

A wonderful way to reach as well as from work or the stores. Burn calories, get an excellent complete body exercise. If it's been a while because you have actually ridden a bike then prepare to be aching the next day from utilizing muscle mass you didn't recognize you had. A good seat is additionally advised if you intend on cycling on a regular basis as well as for fars away. Keep in mind to add in periods of high intensity.

Dance

Take a class or dance in your very own residence, whether you know just how to dance or not it can be a fun method to burn calories. The sort of dancing you do will identify how numerous calories you burn. 60 minutes of salsa and you will melt approx 290 calories, 60 mins of ballet or modern dance and you will certainly shed approx 310 calories.

Strength Training

OK you will not shed 500 calories in one session (even more like 300 calories) yet you can always choose a fast jog or run before or after and also strike that 500 objective and even surpass it.

Spinning Class for 45 minutes

These courses will certainly have you melting calories fast although it will depend on your input. No slacking, push hard, enhance the resistance and keep going.

Stair Climber for 50 minutes

Hop on the stair mountain climber at the fitness center or discover some staircases to run up and walk down (bear in mind to stroll down as you don't wish to shed your balance).

Surfing for 60 minutes

great fun if you have some neighborhood beaches that have great waves however otherwise then maybe attempt paddle boarding or kayaking which can be performed in the sea or on a lake.

Rowing Device for 45-50 minutes

One of the tools I see many individuals at the fitness center making use of incorrectly i.e. rounding their when they go forward or utilizing their arms to draw prior to their legs have extended. If you are not sure of the appropriate strategy ask among the fitness center instructors to show you (that's what they are there for). Alternatively if you have a rowing equipment in the house then locate an on the internet demonstration.

Jump rope for 50 minutes

Probably best done by splitting it up as leaping for 51 minutes straight may be a little extreme. So split it up right into to smaller sized pieces as well as jump during the early morning, day, night or whenever you have extra time perhaps whilst you wait for your dinner to prepare, during industrial breaks whilst enjoying your preferred programs ...

Fidget and keep moving

i. e. leg jumping (frustrating to some so pick when carefully - maybe not to be done during a conference or whilst chatting to close friends), walking while you are on the phone. Take the stairs, obtain of the bus one stop earlier, park even more away from the entrance as well as walk that added little bit. How about mosting likely to go down of that record face to face rather than placing it in the inner mail. OK this is not mosting likely to burn you those 500 calories by itself but they are easy adequate to include throughout your day to assist enter some added calories burnt.

For those of you who are experiencing snow at the minute as well as need to remove the drive after that get a snow shovel and also in 80 mins you will have burnt 500 calories ...

There are numerous methods you can melt 500 calories a day, although I have mentioned simply a few of them above, this does not suggest you have to restrict yourself to only these. Start thinking of what you such as to do and also where outdoors, inside, alone, with others etc).

It is not everything about melting calories though, yes in order to lose weight you wish to melt off even more than you eat yet you additionally require to look at what you are eating. There are those who say that getting the body you want or reducing weight is 80% diet plan and 20% workout (or other similar numbers) and also it is real, what you eat makes a huge distinction to your results. Once you begin to change your diet as well as consume much healthier you will start discovering a difference not only in your weight yet likewise in your general wellness. Currently include exercise (a mix of cardio as well as stamina training) and also you will see results faster.

One last point, as you start to reduce weight you will certainly require to work tougher to melt the very same amount of calories.

Is your objective to slim down? If you are judging your development by what the scales say this may not be the most effective sign of your development, consider altering your shape by shedding body fat not weight.

[proxykiwi]

Some general notes on snakes*

*disclaimer, I’m not a snake expert and not a doctor/herpetologist/whatev but I’ve owned snakes and picked up a few things. Everyone’s totally welcome to tag their own noodle-facts onto this!

Since a certain tv show is inspiring a lot of interest in snakes, snake eye discourse, drawn snakes, etc, I thought it might be interesting to point out a few things about snakes (for headcanon purposes and such, although everyone’s free to do whatever because fiction)

snakes are not really round, they’re kinda jelly pudding shaped: flat on the bottom, roundish on the sides and possibly the spine protruding a bit on top. (alternatively, they’re kinda pyramidal but it depends on the species too)

Like this, but with a spine and without the strawberries.

Snakes do not have eyelids. They have a scale covering their eye, protecting it from damage and drying out.

Snakes do not have ears either, although they do have some rudimentary capacity for ‘hearing’ ((low) vibrations mostly.)

snakes have tails. on some species, you can’t really see it, but on others, the tail tapers off quickly after the rectum (more so in female snakes than in male snakes usually).

As you may already know, snakes can unhinge their jaws to swallow their prey (as a general rule, they can swallow things as big as their biggest mid-portion and then some). What you may not know it that they do a cute little yawn (video) to reposition them.

Snakes keep growing all their lives. Just more slowly. They shed their skin when it’s become too tight, which happens a lot in their early growing years and much less once they’re an adult. But they still grow and still shed.

Before shedding, snakes go a milky pearly colour because a fluid builds up between their new skin and their old one. Including over the eyes, which partially blinds them. Milky looking snakes are more easily spooked cause they can’t see much.

This is a corn snake before and after shed. After turning milky, they’ll return to their normal colour for a bit, then begin shedding. Corn snakes are non-venomous btw.

Non-venomous (constricting) type snakes are generally (and I mean this very generally) longer and heavier, because they need all that length and muscle to wrap around and choke their food. it’s not for nothing that the list of largest snakes consists solely of constrictor types.

Venomous snakes fall usually into the ‘short and stocky’ variety (like rattlesnakes) or the ‘long and slim’ variety (like cobras) (BUT THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS, DON’T USE THIS INFORMATION IN THE WILD)

that’s not a very long snake relative to its fatness (note the jelly shape on the bit that’s on the ground!) it’s a great basin rattlesnake btw.

This is a King Cobra, one of the largest species of venomous snake. While LONG (and big) note how slim and relatively round it is (and majestic). (- guy in the picture is Vava Suresh and he’s a wildlife conservationist)

For comparison: the longest, heaviest recorded snake was a burmese python weighing a whopping 182.8 kg ( 403 lb) and was about 5.7 m ( 18.8 ft ) long. The longest venomous snake, the king cobra, can also reach 5.7 m but weighs “only” up to 20 kg ( 44 lb ). Even when not being a statistical outlier, (i.e. in wild specimen) certain species of python, not to mention the anaconda, weigh up to 75 kg (165 lb) (burmese python, reticulated python, to name a few.) (source: wikipedia’s list of largest snakes)

Here’s a 5 m (17.1 ft) Burmese python. It’s a real thick unit compared to the cobra. (can you spot where the tail starts?)

When talking about really big snakes, it generally goes that the bigger and thiccer, the more likely it’s non-venomous. However, in nicely proportioned noodle territory, it’s really hard to tell venomous from non-venomous based on size and body type.

Why am I telling you this then? Because a lot of fiction uses ‘big whopping snakes’ as monsters and then makes them venomous for extra fear points (nagini). But that’s kinda overdoing it because a big whopping thicc snake has that kind of body to more effectively crush you, so it wouldn’t need venom, while a venomous snake of that size doesn’t need to pack all that extra muscle because it kills with venom (ok, some venomous snakes use constriction too but those species are pretty rare.). Do with that information what you want.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST Don’t pick up snakes in the wild! Leave the danger noodle alone! Don’t pet the hissy shoe lace! While they can be terrific pets, don’t mess with snakes in the wild. They don’t want you to, and you might get bitten.

Anyway! Now you know a bit more about snakes! There’s a lot more fascinating stuff about snakes but I think this covers some interesting basics.

spot any errors? drop me a message or reblog with corrections! i’m not all-knowing, i just want to people to learn about snakes and stimulate interesting crowley discourse.

[katastrophizing]

So, I posted this on Reddit, but I figured I would post here as well!

Bit of a long post, but I want to share some detail about my weight loss/fitness journey...

I'm a 25-year-old female that, through CICO (Calories In, Calories Out), has been able to drop from my highest weight of 200 lbs (January 2016) to a healthy, fit 125 lbs (though in the pic I've posted is when I was probably closer to ~187 lbs). Also, I'm about 5'7", for reference. I actually lost the first 65 lbs in about seven or eight months (I know that's very quick, but I was very determined!) with drastic lifestyle changes. I was very depressed at close to my highest weight. I've been diagnosed with manic depression and generalized anxiety for about nine years now, but it got especially bad around December 2015/January 2016 when I was the heaviest and most physically unhealthy I had ever been. I was barely motivated to get out of bed some days, I had no job, hardly any friends, and I was a serious emotional overeater with major self-esteem and confidence issues. But one morning, by the grace of God maybe, IDK I really can't even explain what happened (maybe it's because the first number on the scale was, for the first time, a 2 and not a 1), after a long crying/self-pity session, something just kinda stirred within me. Like an epiphany of some sort. At that moment, I decided I was going to stop making excuses and acting like a victim to my misery and obesity, that enough was enough. I was sick and tired of being unhealthy, overweight, and miserable. I wanted to gain control of my life. I had tried numerous attempts at weight loss before, but never could stick with any kind of routine or diet for longer than about two weeks. But this time it was gonna be different, I decided. So, I put on a pair of sweatpants and some old running shoes I had lying around and I left my house with my hardly-used Fitbit watch (that I had received as a Christmas gift from my mom about a month earlier), and I just. started. walking... I wasn't sure where I was gonna walk to or for how long, but I wanted to do ANYTHING other than just sit at home and be miserable. So, I put in my earbuds, turned on some upbeat music, and just kept walking. I walked for about two hours around my neighborhood and when I got back to my place, I realized that I had walked five miles! And it felt good... It was just one walk (granted, a really long one), but I decided I was gonna make it a habit. I started going on daily five-mile walks that I had mapped out around my neighborhood, and actually usually twice in a day (one walk in early morning and one in late afternoon), since I was unemployed/not in school and had extra time on my hands. My feet/legs were definitely hurting and sore at first, but gel inserts for my shoes really helped a lot. This long-distance walking was nearly every day for about four or five months, a time period in which I dropped about 40-45 lbs. The first 15 or 20 being in the first month alone. As the weight dropped and I was eating healthier/becoming a lot more active, my overall confidence was increasing, my sleep, "brain fog", and feelings of "meh" (as I call it) were all improving/diminishing, and my energy levels were higher than they had been in a very long time. I was even starting to get some compliments from family and people around me who noticed my weight loss and my overall change in mood/attitude, which felt pretty good honestly.

My CICO was monitored pretty thoroughly through consistent food logging on the app, "My Fitness Pal", and activity monitoring on my Fitbit HR watch. Diet, in summary, was mainly cutting out soda (for good! To this day, I still don't drink soda.) and fast food (though I admit I will now occasionally have fast food as a "cheat meal"), drinking lots of water, and I greatly decreased my intake of refined carbs/sugars. I replaced a lot of these foods that I was used to eating with more protein-rich foods/fruits &veggies/healthy fats & carbs. Less crap, basically. It was very difficult at first because I loved things like Kraft mac and cheese and Dr. Pepper. I also had a horrible habit of overeating in general and eating out of boredom, rather than when feeling truly hungry. However, I was determined to change. As I practiced more self-discipline and started noticing results in how I looked/felt, the cravings lessened and became easier to combat. I realized I could eat healthier, fewer calories and still feel satiated.

And though I know it's not usually advised to go higher than a 1,000 calorie deficit a day without consulting a medical professional first, my daily step count was averaging about 27,000 (which, for my weight then, was a LOT of burned calories) and my overall caloric deficit was usually anywhere between 700 and 1,500 (but I was careful to not ever eat below 1200 calories for the day and generally my consumption was between 1500 and 2000). I was losing a steady 2-3 lbs a week and feeling pretty awesome as I noticed results not only in the mirror, but with how I carried myself and my overall attitude.

I hit a relatively short three-week plateau in May (I think?) which was frustrating at first, but caused me to switch up my fitness routine a bit. I started mixing in some higher-intensity cardio such as jogging (could barely jog a half mile at first, but now I go anywhere between 2-6 miles) and hiking local trails. I also incorporated some at-home strength training using 5 or 8 lb dumbbells three times a week to help with overall body composition and fat loss. By early July, I had lost about 55 lbs , was at what's considered a healthy and no longer overweight BMI, and finally felt confident enough to go out and look for a job again. I landed a decent job after my first interview, something I would have not even thought possible 6 or 7 months earlier.

I hit my first major weight loss goal of 65 lbs, weighing 135 lbs, in late August, I believe? (As you can see, I can't quite remember the exact timeline right now lol). I maintained this weight for about six months, but still felt like I could maybe "cut" and get some more muscle definition. So, just these last six weeks, I've lost ten more pounds and have attained a more ~toned~ look through yoga, running, heavier weights at the gym, and hardly any going out/drinking [Though I know it's not exactly beneficial for weight loss, I still have drunk some alcohol throughout this journey. It used to be mainly very sugary drinks (i.e. whiskey/coke) when I was fat, but I switched to a not as bad vodka/club soda while I was losing weight.] I don't think I want/need to lose any more weight at this point, I might try to add some muscle/weight even, but I can't express enough how much this experience has changed my life in SO many aspects, not even just physical health and appearance [though that's definitely a huge (no pun intended) plus!]. Like I mentioned, I have more confidence overall, more emotional stability, my bipolar/depression and anxiety symptoms have been significantly alleviated, and I feel like a productive member of society again (I'm also attending college again and planning for a new career path). Of course I still have my ups, downs, issues, and insecurities (who doesn't?), but I've definitely come a long way and am pretty proud of that. I feel like a whole new person. And this newfound wellness obviously isn't JUST because the number on the scale has changed, but it's a result of the diet and lifestyle changes I incorporated to lose the weight in the first place.

Though I wouldn't call what I did disordered or dangerous, I realize that what worked for me may not be the healthiest or most realistic options for everyone. I lost a pretty significant amount of weight in a relatively short amount of time. I would definitely advise consulting a doctor or medical professional before trying anything that might be considered too extreme or drastic! The focus should not be on how fast you lose the weight though, but rather making permanent (yet sustainable), healthy lifestyle changes that take you in the right direction. Additional advice I would offer is to remember to not compare your progress to anyone else's or let a "setback" keep you feeling defeated and/or prevent you from moving forward. As long as you keep at it and don't give up, then you're on the right track and results will come! :) Any questions, feel free to ask!

[jenguerrero]

Shin splints! I was running 9 1/2 miles a day and loving it! Then shin splints. Shin splints are the worst. I needed to deal with them so they didn’t become a stress reaction or stress fracture. I’m on a lady fitness site, and asked what people did to heal them. Foam rolling, deep squats to deal with a muscle imbalance, stretching, and compression socks. To my surprise, icing was really controversial and people felt passionate about their positions.

Okay, I ordered compression socks, foam rollers, and started going after deep squats and stretches like nobody’s business. I’d worked for a few years on that running endurance, and didn’t want to give that up. I decided to give CrossFit a try. Holy workout, Batman! You’re a sweaty mess and done in less than an hour. It’s totally scalable to every fitness level, so it’s custom order-type challenging, and a novice and a gymrat can work out side-by-side. Perfect. To my shock, my husband quit with his nautilus-type gym and started joining me. And then the kids showed up. Too neat.

And it works! The scale hasn’t moved. Probably because it weighs muscle, fat, bones, water, and all. But I bought these jeans last Thanksgiving and they fit. I think I might need new jeans. Working on my 6-pack! I think I’m going to toss my 6-pack on my scale in case I feel compelled to step on that thing again.

We put together a CrossFit gym in the garage. People have been asking about it, so I thought I’d post it all in one spot.

I’m an Amazon Affiliate. Any time you use one of my links to get to Amazon and make a purchase, Amazon gives me a tiny percentage that I put towards paying my blog fees the next year. Thank you!

Gym Flooring – Foam mats. They’re perfect because you can tailor the outline to your space. It’s comfy enough for floor stretching, too. Since it’s out in the garage, it gets tidied up with the leaf blower frequently. We got the 1/2″ thick 144 sq ft pack, but smaller packs are available if you don’t need that much. ProsourceFit Exercise Puzzle Mat

Barbells and plates – We have my father-in-law, Raul’s, old set. It’s all Weider. $28 of spray paint at Walmart and we made them as bright as we wanted! Here’s a 2″ barbell with good reviews. Barbell And here’s cute, color-coded HulkFit bubber bumper plates. Weight plates

Kettlebells, dumbbells, and medicine balls – These get used all the time. Amazon Basics Double Grip Type Medicine Ball   SPRI Kettlebell Weights Deluxe Cast Iron Vinyl Coated

Squat cage – A squat cage is neat because you can back squat a lot more weight than you can press, so you can start the bar right where it needs to be. The first time I deadlifted the weight and then wondered how in the heck I was going to get it on the back of my shoulders. Pressing’s no joke. The top has a bar for pull-ups and toes to bar, too. This came with dip handles, too, although I didn’t think it was supposed to. Those are still just hopeful for us. We’re calling them drop and hops. One day!!! This thing is impressively sturdy. My 250 pound husband hangs off of it with barely any motion.  HulkFit 1000-Pound Capacity Multi-Function Adjustable Power Cage

Rings – We tried a rope over the squat cage at first, but that killed our hands. These are wonderfully comfortable. NAYOYA Gymnastics Rings

Pull-up assist – You put your foot through it and it gives a pull-up booster if you’re at an almost pull-up. Lifeline Pull Up Revolution Assistance System

Chalk – So you don’t have to worry about slippery, sweaty hands with pull-ups and toes-to-bar. Salty Lance 2 lb Gym Chalk Bucket

Bench press – Lovely for literally bench pressing and barbell rows. We have Raul’s old bench. It’s a Weider.

Rowing machine – We bought a value play. $200. It gets the job done. Weirdly, it doesn’t measure distance. So, we row 5 minutes for 1000m and 2 1/2 minutes for 500 meters. If money’s no object, you want a Concept 2. Sunny Health and Fitness Magnetic Rowing Machine with LCD Monitor

Jump box – I’m working up to it. My hub can do the 20″ jump and the kids can both do the 30″. This is heavy foam, so it can handle my 250 pound husband and no one gets bloody shins if they miss. BalanceFrom 3 in 1 20″ 24″ 30″ Foam Plyometric Jump Box

  Jump rope – we got speed ropes on Amazon. DoubleWonderUnder makes customizable ropes. Yeah, for $20 you can make a Wonder Woman rope. WOD Nation Speed Jump Rope

Exercise bands – These are fun. And hard. You can put them around your thighs to add resistance for squats, jumping jacks, and side steps. That’s not my favorite, though. Pop them around your ankles, put on your favorite song, and penguin dance the heck out of it. It’s a great workout, but it’s completely ridiculous, so it brings sweaty giggles. Sooo good. MOOND Fabric Booty Bands

  Punching bag and gloves – We got 4 pair of the gloves so no one would have to share. My husband needed 16 ounce for his size, and the 12 ounce are perfect for me and the girls. We bought the Bas Rutten videos to work out with it. RDX 8 PC Punching Bag Heavy Unfilled   RDX Boxing Gloves   Bas Rutten MMA System Workout

Self care: Foam rollers and compression socks. 321 Strong Foam Roller SB Sox Compression Socks (20-30mm)

  We were thinking about a name and nothing was hitting us. I said I was going out to Gymmy one night and then it hit me, Gymmy McGill’s! <Better Call Saul> B relocated the tools so that we could have a handstand wall. We just have to cart the trash bin out. Not ideal, but it works!

I finished painting it. I think I’m going to paint a few big hibiscus around the door.

We put up a tv, mostly so we can do exercise videos out there, but one of the kiddos likes to work out with Hunger Games and Sponge Bob in the background.

My hub’s Christmas party was at Main Event last year. We pooled together everyone’s winning tickets and got a blue tooth disco lamp for the game room. The kids brought it down to the gym, and it blasts tunes in the most ridiculous way. I stupid love that disco party lamp.

Now we just need a few heavier kettlebells once stores get them back in stock. The gym’s pretty much done, and gets as much love as the family room.

Need inspiration? There’s a podcast called Thick Thighs Save Lives, and it’s amazing. The girls and I can’t get enough of it. I should mention that there’s a fair amount of swearing in it for those that would screen for that. They have a webpage, Fitness Programming by CVG. It’s women only, 60,000 members, all supportive, without a troll in site, and no Instagram baloney. Yeah, that really exists. We bought their ebook and worked through it, shocked by how quickly they increase your fitness level. I’m an ex-analyst, so I had to do the program twice to prove to myself that it was working. It worked crazy well. I feel so much stronger and feel more alive than ever the rest of the time. We’re going to sign-up for their ongoing programming. It should come with a warning that you’ll end up with a workout legging addiction. Remember that show The Magic School Bus? I have leggings for every occasion, rivaling Ms. Frizzle’s dress collection!

Shin splints suck and I love CrossFit! Shin splints! I was running 9 1/2 miles a day and loving it! Then shin splints. Shin splints are the worst.

[fitfitnessmagazine]

Just by reading this list, you’ve taken the first steps into your brand new lifestyle. If you follow through, this is could just be the push that you need.

The road to fitness doesn’t have to be so horrible, especially when you’ve got the right equipment to get you where you want to be.

It’s not easy to admit that you’ve let yourself get this far, but it’s a proud moment when you start looking for options that can lift you out of your situation.

Yes, finding an elliptical that can support heavier weights might prove to be a bit of challenge. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t exist.

One of the easiest and safest ways to get back into shape is by using an elliptical. But it would be a bummer to show up at the gym with all the courage you can muster and find out that the ellipticals there can’t support your weight.

The whole thing is dripping with irony, but that’s just how it is sometimes.

If you want to start your fitness journey by setting up a decent home gym, then, obviously, a bit of research is in order.

Cardio is the main way people lose weight. But heavier people need assisted cardio – meaning, it’s better if you work out on a machine.

Regular cardio like walking or running could put a lot of strain on your joints. You might just end up injuring yourself in the process of shedding a few pounds. That’s not something that you should be okay with, considering that those injuries can be avoided.

So what is it that you should be looking for in a heavy duty elliptical?

Before you go on spending lots of money on gym equipment, you have to keep a couple of things in check. Below, we’ve made a quick checklist that you can tick off when looking around for the right elliptical for your home gym.

Can it support your weight?

Obviously, you’re going to have to check the maximum weight capacity. It would be a colossal waste of money to buy an elliptical that you can’t even use.

These things don’t come cheap, so you have to be smart about which elliptical you’re going to purchase. Even if you have money to burn, why buy a piece of equipment that is bound to break right away when you use it?

By now, you must already know how much you weigh. It’s important that you do this before you plan your workout to track your weight loss progress.

So let’s say you’re 280 lbs. right now. You would think that an elliptical with a weight limit of 300 lbs. should do the trick. And in essence, it should.

But give yourself an allowance. Allow for a decent margin between how much you weigh and how much the elliptical can support. So for 280 pounds, it’s advisable that you go for an elliptical that has a 350 pound weight limit.

Also, if you factor in how much weight fluctuates, it’s just better to go for a higher weight limit. It’s better to be safe than sorry, right?

Remember, if an elliptical can support your weight entirely, the smoother your work out is going to be and the more use you’re going to get out of it.

How intense do you want your workout to be?

One important aspect of an elliptical that you should check is the flywheel. What’s a flywheel? That’s what controls the amount of resistance once you start moving the pedals.

A high quality flywheel is not going to make much noise even when it’s under a lot of pressure from your weight.

Flywheels vary per elliptical. They usually weigh around 10 to 40 pounds. So ask yourself how much you think you can manage. Don’t overreach and manage your expectations.

You’re not in the best shape of your life, so you should cut yourself some slack and don’t go for something too heavy.

We suggest that you go for something in the middle of the spectrum, at least 15 to 20 pounds, to be on the safe side.

What should your elliptical be made of?

The main thing that you’re looking for in an elliptical is stability. Across the board, the heavier the machine is, the more stable it’s going to be. That’s just how gravity works.

So don’t bother with a lightweight elliptical made of flimsy hollow materials. Since we’re assuming that you’re on the heavier side, you want something that is also heavy.

If you’ve narrowed down your choices to two picks, we suggest that you go for the heavier one. That’s most likely going to provide you with a much stable base.

Another basis of stability is the construction. Of course you want something expertly made and assembled, done with the best heavy duty materials.

The combination of those two things make for an elliptical that’s not going to wobble or break. So what keywords should you be looking out for? Steel. Iron. Solid.

You can quickly weed out the elliptical machines that you wouldn’t want by checking the warranty that the company offers. A longer warranty means that they believe in the construction of their equipment and they’re willing to back up their claims.

How much should you be willing to pay for a heavy duty elliptical?

We’ll just be straight up with you and say give or take $2,000. That’s not a ridiculous asking price when it comes to high quality elliptical trainers.

But hey, that doesn’t automatically mean that you have to shell out $2,000 for an elliptical that will do the job for you.

Some of these heavy duty elliptical machines just have extra features and have higher weight capacities. If you’re not severely overweight, then you won’t need to spend money for an elliptical that has a maximum weight capacity of 400 lbs.

Just in general, they’re going to cost more than standard elliptical machines. That’s because they have to be made out of more durable materials and a lot more of it.

Why should I work out on an elliptical anyway?

Is this the right piece of equipment that you should invest in? Why is this so much better than going au naturale and taking walks outdoors? Here are a couple of reasons why.

1. At this point, you have to do low-impact exercise.

Again, since you’re on the heavier side, regular work outs are going to put a lot of strain on your joints. Just imagine all your weight being concentrated on your knees. That doesn’t seem like a good idea, right? Do that a lot, and you’re knees are going to give out.

But let’s consider the treadmill. Why not just use a treadmill instead of an elliptical? Same thing. You’re not going to be supported on a treadmill. Your movements aren’t going to be aided.

That will put a lot of strain not only on your knees, but also on your back, hips, and ankles.

High quality ellipticals help you move the way the body is supposed to move. It should mimic the natural bending of your knees.

When things get easier and you start to feel those extra pounds melting away, then you can change to a more high impact work out. For now, it’s better to mindful of your joints to avoid some serious injuries.

2. It’s a full body workout.

It’s a myth that you can lose weight in specific parts of your body. It doesn’t mean that if you run a lot, you’re only going to lose weight in your legs. That’s not how weight loss works.

Body parts are usually targeted with weight training, but that’s something that you should focus on later.

What you should focus on right now is losing weight. That’ll make you stronger and ready for muscle toning.

You can burn a lot more calories by engaging multiple muscle groups. That’s something you can do with an elliptical because it’s a full body workout.

The arm poles keep your upper body engaged as you use your legs to pedal. The point here is that your whole body can get used to burn, not just your legs.

3. It’s for everyone.

Elliptical machines are used by beginners and athletes alike. Everyone can benefit from a supported work out. Even when you get really fit, most elliptical machines have the option to increase their difficulty by upping the resistance.

So working out on an elliptical can always be challenging wherever you are in the fitness scale.

4. It’s an effective way to burn fat.

You’ll burn a lot more calories with an hour on the elliptical than you would in an hour-long high impact aerobics session.

We think that it’s a nice incentive to know that the elliptical ranks the fourth highest in calorie burning gym activities – beaten by the ski machine and vigorous stationary biking (both of which do not offer the same kind of joint support).

And this information is from a study done by some folks at Harvard Medical School, so you know it’s legit.

I’m overweight. How do I do use an elliptical the right way to burn as much calories as possible?

Not much is required of you in the beginning when it comes to variation. All you need to do in the beginning is to hop on that elliptical and try to do it regularly.

People who carry a lot of excess weight tend to shed pounds a lot quicker, so you’ll see the results right away.

Do not try to overexert yourself. Listen to your body and always set goals for yourself that you’re sure you can meet. Once you get easier goals done, the more confident you’ll feel about going after loftier ones.

Eventually, it’s very normal for your weight loss to start plateauing. Don’t be alarmed. This happens to everyone. This just means that your body is getting used to the amount of exercise that it’s getting.

This is where you have to start mixing things up and maybe working out for longer periods. By then, you will have gained more strength to handle more activity anyway.

How do I vary my workouts when I start to plateau?

Well, all you have to do is play around with the duration of your work outs. A good example would be to work out 20 to 30 minutes longer every other day. You could also up the number of times you work out in a day.

Additionally, you can take advantage of your elliptical’s pre-set programs. This is a feature that most elliptical machines have nowadays, especially if they’re on the pricier side.

With these programs, you can do interval training or do work outs that are specifically designed for more weight loss.

What elliptical machines do we recommend for heavier people?

By now, we hope we’ve established the fact that an elliptical machine can work wonders for you on your weight loss journey.

So it’s time to get into our top picks of elliptical machines to help you narrow down your search. We’ll start with a 250 lb. weight capacity and work our way up. Here we go.

250 lb. weight capacity – Fast 88 Portable Elliptical Machine

Standout features that we like:

Portability (has wheels)

Smaller footprint

Non-slip pedals

Digital monitor

8 levels of resistance

If you’re under 250 pounds, all you need is this elliptical machine. It wouldn’t even cost you over $300 and it’s very easy to assemble yourself.

It’s made from steel with a flywheel weight of 6 kilograms, which is very quiet. So you can work out in your home gym without disturbing your family or your roommates.

It’s also very easy to move around because of its wheels. You can roll it over to your garage and back to your home gym space just for a quick change of scenery. This also means it’s pretty easy to wheel away and stow it when it’s not in use.

The pedals are lined with a non-slip material to keep you accident-free as you work out. And it’s also pretty small for what it can do. You can even put this in an apartment if that’s what your current living situation is.

It has a simple LCD screen that shows time, a timer, the speed that you’re going, the calories you’ve burned, the distance you’ve “travelled,” and your heart rate.

It keeps track of your heart rate through pulse rate grips. This a very useful feature if you’re trying to be careful about not overexerting yourself or if you just want to stay on top of your progress.

Once you’ve met one fitness goal, you can increase the difficulty through its 8 levels of magnetic resistance. It’s going to last you a while to get used to all of those.

It comes in black, which is as neutral as it gets, so it’ll fit any home gym.

For its price, this is definitely a steal. You get good quality materials without having to break the bank.

270 lb. weight capacity – Exerpeutic 1318 5000 Magnetic Elliptical Trainer with Double Transmission Drive

Standout features we like:

12 preset work out programs on top of the 7 different training modes

Can save up to 4 user settings

24 levels of resistance

Media shelf with gel pad

Digital monitor

Comes with app

What we love about the Exerpeutic 1318 5000 is its 24 resistance levels. That’s really rare for a machine that’s under $500.

Its flywheel is located in the back part of the machine, which makes it feel like you’re skiing. With a stride length of 18 inches, this is perfect for heavier users that are also on the tall side.

And the machine being about 84 pounds with transport wheels right at the front, it’s pretty easy to move it around and keep it out of sight.

This is also an elliptical machine that comes with its own app. With it, you can track your progress and follow along with training videos. All you have to do to set up a profile is enter your age, height and weight.

Once you’re set up, it’ll record your work out stats.

There as a spacious entertainment shelf with a gel pad where you can set your mobile device or tablet without the danger of them slipping off.

The console itself is very intuitive and easy to navigate. With a hand sensor, it has a special feature that tells you when you’re not in your target heart rate zone.

We have to point out, though, that setting this up is not going to be the easiest thing in the world. You could have it assembled for you if this isn’t your thing.

Overall, the Exerpeutic 5000 makes for a very comfortable workout. You get cool features for an entry level machine price.

300 lb. weight capacity – Nautilus E614 Elliptical Trainer

Standout features we like:

6 position incline

20 levels of eddy current resistance

Dual Track LCD displays

Media shelf

Built in speakers with USB input port, USB media charging

Has adjustable fan

9 profiles

8 heart rate programs

2 custom programs

Nautilus is a company that’s based in Portland, Oregon.

They’ve been leading innovations in fitness tech with other giants like Bowflex and Schwinn since the 80s. There’s a reason why they’ve been around for this long and that’s because they deliver high quality equipment.

This level of quality is evident in the E614.

We appreciate that it has 6 levels on incline, which you’ll have to adjust manually, but that’s okay. This lets you put more emphasis on your upper leg muscles if you feel like it.

You get the typical features of a high-end elliptical machine like a media shelf, a water bottle holder, a fan, speakers, and a console. What’s cool about it is that you won’t have to pay a high-end price.

The frame is incredibly sturdy – so sturdy that Nautilus offers a 10 year warranty on them.

Setting up this elliptical machine is not very complicated. It’ll take about an hour, but the instructions are fairly easy to follow. The manual comes with fully illustrated step by step instructions and you’ll also get all the tools that you need.

For well under a thousand dollars, this elliptical machine offers much more than what you pay for. You can use it for light to more intense work out sessions without a hitch.

The warranties speak for themselves.

300 lb. weight capacity – Schwinn 470 Elliptical Machine

Standout features we like:

29 programs

2 backlit LCD screens

Is able to sync up with MyFitnessPal

25 eddy current resistance levels

Automated incline up to 10 degrees

Fan with three adjustable speeds

Schwinn is another reputable company that has been producing high quality exercise equipment since the 60s. If you get this one, you know you’re paying for topnotch quality.

What we love about this elliptical machine is that you’ll never have to adjust the resistance and incline manually. All of these are automated and can be changed at a push of a button.

So even if you’re in the middle of your workout, you don’t have to stop to adjust anything if you feel like you need less or more resistance.

This is not a very common feature in elliptical machines in this price range.

The console on this elliptical is great too. You can save up to four user profiles, so this is ideal if you’re going to be sharing this machine with someone else.

With Schwinn Connect you can sync up your elliptical machine to MyFitnessPal to track the amount of exercise you’re getting so you can plan your diet accordingly.

With the hand grips that come with package, you can monitor your heart rate as you work out. All you have to do is hold the sensor for 10 seconds and you’ll be able to see your heart rate on the display.

The stride length measures at 20 inches, which is generous. It’s fixed, though. But that’s, by no means, a deal breaker.

This is a very durable piece of equipment. The center frame support, crossbar tuning, and the flywheel up front are all made out of high quality heavy duty materials.

All in all, we highly recommend this one just purely for the value that you’ll get for your money.

350 lb. weight limit – ProForm Cardio HIIT Elliptical

Standout features we like:

24 resistance levels

Perfect for HIIT

28 lb. flywheel

32 workout programs

7 in. display

iPod compatible sound system

Media shelf

High quality pedals

Multi-grip handlebars

High intensity interval training is challenging for everyone, but it’s just as beneficial as it is difficult. This elliptical machine is on a whole other level with its unique design, specifically geared towards HIIT.

Because of that, people have been calling this elliptical the “next generation step machine.” It allows for smoother, more natural movements.

The cushioned pedals offer more support and they put significantly less strain on your joints.

With the 24 resistance levels, you can work out with this elliptical without plateauing for a long time. This allowance for resistance is made possible by the 28 lb. flywheel, which significantly heavier than the previous entries on this list.

It has the usual features of elliptical machines in this price range – a fan, water bottle holder, and incline adjustment.

We appreciate the multi-grip handlebars because repetitive positions can get pretty boring over time.

A word of warning before you attempt HIIT: this can benefit people who suffer from type 2 diabetes and other significant health issues, but it can be dangerous for people who are at risk of stroke.

You know the drill. It’s advisable that you ask your doctor before you go into more intense work outs.

375 lb. weight limit – Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine

Standout features we like:

16 resistance level

Multi-grip handlebars

Heavy aluminum flywheel

Whisper Drive – makes for an extremely quiet elliptical work out

Allows up to 30 degrees of incline (can be automatically adjusted)

Chest strap for heart rate monitoring

Food pedals have a 2 degree inward slope

Rubber floor rests

Assembling the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine is not that hard. It’s just going to be a lengthy process. This is not exactly a simple piece of machinery. It has a lot of components, so it’s going to take a while.

But it won’t take a rocket scientist to pull it off. It does come with all the tools that you would need if you don’t already have a toolbox of your own.

At 215 pounds, this is going to a big package to be delivered to your house. It’s not going to be easy to lug it around, so ask the delivery people to set it down where you’ll be setting it up.

This elliptical machine reaches the commercial grade tier. So you might see this model in gyms and hotels. So given that it can withstand that much use, it would work well in any home gym.

In addition to a solid base, it has rubber floor rests, so it absolutely will not move when you’re using it.

Our favorite feature? This particular elliptical machine has an incline of up to 30 degrees. Most elliptical machines only have 20 degrees. So that much is pretty impressive. This is great if you want to make your work out progressively more difficult.

Another unique feature that the Sole Fitness 25 has is that the stride is adjustable. You can max it out to 22 inches. So whatever your height is, you’re bound to have a comfortable work out.

People also use this machine for rehabilitation purposes because of the slight inward slope of 2 degrees on the pedals. Who knew that those 2 inches would take so much stress off your knees?

It also allows for backwards pedaling, which is great if you want to work out all the muscle groups on your legs.

What might not look so great on paper is that the Sole Fitness E35 only has 10 work out programs. Most machines have more. But in all honesty, 10 is enough for most people.

400 lb. weight capacity – Sole Fitness E95 Elliptical Machine

Standout features that we like:

Adjustable articulating pedals

15 inch pedal size

Heavy duty 38 mm steel frame

Silent ECB resistance

9 inch LCD display

Chest strap for heart rate monitoring

Has four rear wheels

This is just a step up from the Sole Fitness E35. This is a gym grade piece of equipment that has a ton of features and excellent build quality.

You get all the bells and whistles with one. And that’s only right for the amount of money you’ll be shelling out.

This is near perfect elliptical machine. That’s to be expected from something that can withstand 400 pounds of pressure.

Assembly is just time consuming, but not difficult at all.

Yes, the Sole Fitness E95 is definitely on the expensive side. But considering what it can do, it’s well worth it.

It has 20 levels of resistance, so you can expect to get a lot of use out of it. Just like the E35, the power incline is adjustable up to 30 degrees.

The handlebars have built in sensors that track your heart rate as you work out on the machine. The foot pedals were designed by a leading physical therapist, so you’ll know that you’ll be getting minimal impact on your joints.

What do they mean by “articulating” pedals? They designed these pedals with the fact that no one walks the same in mind. So they let you adjust the pedals specifically for your feet to lift the strain off your ankles and knees.

The base is extremely sturdy. This machine is not going to tip over or slide even with someone close to 400 lbs. using it.

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