What muscles do the following cardio exercises work:

[fairy!]

Walking fast up-hill on Treadmill
Jogging on Treadmill
Bike
Stepper
Cross Trainer

?

[RATTER15]

I should try and avoid all of them to be on the safe side!!

[ernestoba]

Nonsense. Cardiovascular excersises are invaluable for the good function of the heart.
Do all those excersises in moderation and your heart will be grateful.

[wilsarnie]

ernestoba, I think RATTER15 was making a joke...

Anyway fairy! in answer to your question, they all do pretty much the same areas; legs & bums. The cross trainer will do arms as well depending on the use. If you have the correct posture on all then they should tone your stomach and strengthen your back.

The major muscle that will definitely be affected if you work with 50%-75% of your max heart rate (220 bpm minus your age) is obviously your heart, with all of the aerobic/cardio work strengthening and making it more efficient.

Hope that helps...

[##Wardy##]

May I make a suggestion and quit the gym. There is nothing you have mentioned that can not be done in any city centre or better still the countryside.

Why spend a fortune on monthly membership and silly lyrca outfits and attend a place where everybody judges you and the men smell of raw sperm?

My advice, go on a country hike. The right heart rate is sound advice from wilsarnie. I will add though that I would suggest 60-75 MAX and that is only if you want to lose some weight. If you are already fit, you can go to 100 percent. Strangely though you will not lose weight even though working harder!!

A power walk through the country (i.e NOT a stroll and arms moving well) will be so much more rewarding than the gym. Perhaps your neighbours have a dog, they would love you if you took it for two hour walks!!

However, if you are completely into attending the gym, all CV work is pretty much the same. Rule of thumb, if you move the muscle it works it and of course the heart!

Even weight lifting can be classed as CV if the weights are low and the reps high.

Good luck with whatever fitness regime you commence. I am probably the fitest person on AB (for my age!!) and haven't set foot in a gym for over 12 years!!!

On a final note (and I apologise if I am assuming) for physical appearance, it will make no difference if you tone the muscles without losing the fat. The classic example is I know I have a six-pack, it is just hidden under my little tummy!!!!! And I have a good BMi.

[fairy!]

And there's me thinking I was asking a simple question!!!