text: The best overall cardio workouts burning the greatest amount of calories, simulatanously giving you the greatest peripheral pump to your upper torso and working your heart are Cross-country skiing and Rock-climbing.  \n\nContrary to popular belief non-competitive swimming is not even on the top five due to your buoancy in water.\n\nhttp://www.preventdisease.com/healthtools/articles/various_sports.html