The Six Best Fat Burners

The best fat burning exercises don't involve fancy equipment, or anything that you'd find only in an expensive commercial gym. Instead, you can burn that unwanted belly fat just as well in the comfort of your own home as you would in the priciest, swankiest gym.

Now, try any one of these, and you'll boost your metabolism for up to a whole day afterward. One small workout, one giant payoff in losing a jelly-belly.

1. Inline skating

Burns 425 calories in 30 minutes

While skating might be so much fun you forget you're actually working out, it actually burns the most fat and calories than any other exercise on this list. 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

To get the most out of each stride, swing your arms close to your body, don't lean forward, and keep your feet low to the ground. To lessen impact, land on the middle of your foot, then roll through to your toes.

3. Jumping rope

Burns 340 calories in 30 minutes

To get the most from each jump, use a rope with handles that reach to just under your armpits when you stand on the middle of it, and follow these top-form tips: Jump with your feet slightly apart and body upright, and keep your jumps low to the ground. Don't have a rope? You'll get the same benefits by doing the movements rope-free.

4. Tennis

Burns 272 calories in 30 minutes

Simply find a flat area near a wall or garage door that you can hit the ball against. Alternate forehand and backhand shots -- then see how many you can do in a row without goofing. Stand 10 to 25 feet away, which will force you to hit harder.

5. Dancing

Burns 221 calories in 30 minutes

The key is to keep the tempo high, choosing songs with fast rhythms like Latin or Bollywood, and don't rest between songs. Download a workout's worth of your favorite tunes. Begin with an upbeat inspirational song, then move on to songs with increasingly faster tempos. Slow the beat toward the end to cool down.

6. Walking vigorously

Burns 170 calories in 30 minutes

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.

To get the most from your biggest calorie-burning muscles -- legs, butt, and core -- take short, quick steps, keep your torso upright, and pump your arms back and forth in time with your stride. With each step, land on your heel and roll through to your toes.