The 7 best fat-blasters

Here are the top seven fat-and-calorie burners, from Los Angeles based celeb trainer Ramona Braganza, who has helped shape the amazing bodies of stars like Jessica Alba, Halle Berry, and Anne Hathaway. Try any one of these, and you'll boost your metabolism for up to a whole day afterward. One small workout, one giant payoff.


1. Inline skating Burns 425 calories in 30 minutes
The big burn stems from the side-to-side movement of your thigh and butt muscles (demanding more from your body than the straightforward motion of our number-two activity -- running). And your core gets involved in a big way to keep you balanced.

2. Running Burns 374 calories in 30 minutes
The typical runner's shape is sleek and lean, and there's a reason for that: The major running muscles -- legs, butt, core -- happen to be the biggest calorie-and-fat-burning muscles in your body.

3. Jumping rope Burns 340 calories in 30 minutes
You knew this workout had to be high on the list. After all, it's one of pro boxers' favorite ways to train.

4. Hula hooping Burns 300 calories in 30 minutes
There's a reason Marisa Tomei and Beyoncé hoop to keep their bodies beautiful -- it's a major fat-and-calorie torcher. To do it yourself, grab an adult-sized hoop (they're larger and heavier than kids' hoops, making them easier to spin); you'll know you have the right size if it reaches your chest when you stand it up in front of you.

5. Tennis Burns 272 calories in 30 minutes
Don't think you need to round up a partner or trek all the way to a court to break a super sweat with racket in hand.  Simply find a flat area near a wall or garage door that you can hit the ball against. Try to hit the ball consistently for 50 or 100 strokes.

6. Dancing Burns 221 calories in 30 minutes This may not be the biggest calorie-burner in the bunch, but it's still an excellent -- and fun! -- metabolism booster. (Just look at Kelly Osbourne, who jump-started her amazing 42-pound loss on Dancing with the Stars.)

7. Walking vigorously Burns 170 calories in 30 minutes
That's right, walking actually made our list. Full disclosure, though: A leisurely stroll with a friend won't cut it. You should be walking briskly enough that it's difficult to keep up a steady conversation. Alternate two minutes of brisk strides with one minute of as-fast-as-you-can-go walking (or jogging).