When it comes to exercise, you might think that any exercise is going to be a great option for weight loss results. And while it’s true that any kind of movement will at least slightly raise your calorie burn and help contribute to weight loss, some exercises do so little they can’t even really be considered weight loss exercise.

If these activities make up the bulk of your workout plan, you are wasting serious time in the gym. The chances of you actually seeing results from these exercises will be quite low, so it’s a smart move to eliminate them from the program and focus on something else instead.

Which exercises should you say so-long to? Let’s look at the main offenders.

Ab Exercises

We’re going to lump ab exercises into one category here as almost all of them are virtually pointless for weight loss. This is a shame because most people when they want to lose fat from their stomach, do these exercises first and foremost. You think that because you are working your stomach, you’re bound to lose fat there.

This is not how it works though. Ab exercises in general burn so few calories that they just aren’t going to do much to help stimulate a total level of fat burn that’s noticeable.

They will strengthen your core and they are important for that reason, but don’t be misled into thinking that doing thousands of crunches is going to help you burn off that belly fat. It won’t.

Inner/Outer Thigh Machines

Another set of exercises to avoid if fat loss is your goal is the inner and outer thigh machines. These exercises may help strengthen this area of the lower body, but they aren’t burning many calories either.

And you do have to watch because if you build these muscles up too much, it could actually make your legs look thicker, which is the exact opposite look you’re likely going for.

Better options for lower body and fat burning include squats, deadlifts, and walking lunges.

Bicep Curls

Another exercise that’s basically a time waster if the goal is fat loss is bicep curls. While these can help make your bicep look better (good), the bicep is such a small muscle group that you really just won’t burn any calories doing this move. Hence it doesn’t really help out with fat loss.

To lose fat effectively, you want to perform exercises that help you burn as many calories as you can in a short period of time. The bicep curl simply is not going to do that.

Improper Use Of Cardio Machines

Finally, while using the cardio machines right can definitely help with fat loss, if you find yourself leaning on the rails quite often, basically taking your entire weight off your legs, you are deriving very little benefit from doing this. You’re basically just wasting time in the gym.

If you are going to do cardio, do it properly and make it count. If you have to hold on for dear life or support yourself because it’s too hard, lower the intensity level. You’ll see far greater benefit from doing so.

So keep these points in mind and make sure that you aren’t letting these exercises rule your workout routine or you won’t be seeing the results you were hoping for.

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