If you have ever asked someone to explain how to burn body fat, the chances are slim that weight training came up in the list of responses.
But the fact is, resistance training has been scientifically proven to elevate our body's fat burning ability.
Those who are keen gym enthusiasts may already know this, but the majority of gym goers have no idea and often miss out on the many benefits hiding within resistance training because they mistakenly believe it's not for them. However, several key studies show weight based training to be even better than aerobic exercise for burning calories.
H.I.R.T. is the name given to the style of resistance training we will be discussing today. This is not pretty, but it is very effective!
However, if you want to burn fat you do not need to do endless reps with light weights. This does go against the gym myths from decades before us, but clinical studies prove that pushing yourself with heavier weights and for fewer reps will yield greater results for you. So dispel any thoughts of fitness classes which encourage you to lift empty barbells and ankle weights. To get the most from resistance training, we must go heavier.
The muscle building process which is kick-started following a weights workout is known as hypertrophy. The key factor here is that a session based around hypertrophy will use carbohydrates as it's main fuel during the workout. Not fat.
Now, you could see that as a disadvantage if your main goal is fat loss - why wouldn't you want to burn fat as your primary fuel?
That's because this anabolic response creates a procedure within the human body known as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption. This flips the fuel burning rule book out of the window and places our carbohdrate stores on temporary lockdown, forcing us to use fat as our primary source of fuel in the hours which follow a gym workout. Now you should be beginning to see the real advantages of high intensity weight lifting...
Carbohydrates may be the main macronutrient we use while we are training, but the moment we reach the end of our workout everything begins to change. Fat is then promoted as our primary fuel - and this phenomenon, known as the after burn effect, can last for up to sixteen hours!
But how do you actually do this style of training?
It's beauty is in it's simplicity. Or rather, it's simple to explain - it's not simple to do! The first step is to look at what other people are doing when they train with weights at your local gym. The chances are, they will lift for eight to ten repetitions then rest for a couple of minutes before repeating the process. This is pretty standard gym behavior.
But it is not H.I.R.T. and it is not the most effective training style for fat loss.
Put two or even four exercises together into a series of mini circuits throughout your workout. Avoid performing single set exercises followed by two minutes checking your phone or updating your social media status. Perform exercises back-to-back without rest, reducing your workload time but improving your productivity.
There are now numerous scientific studies which confirm the effectiveness of resistance training for fat loss. In fact, many even suggest it to be greater than cardio. If you train in a mainstream gym then there's a good chance you may never have stumbled across this information before. Use it wisely.
But the fact is, resistance training has been scientifically proven to elevate our body's fat burning ability.
Those who are keen gym enthusiasts may already know this, but the majority of gym goers have no idea and often miss out on the many benefits hiding within resistance training because they mistakenly believe it's not for them. However, several key studies show weight based training to be even better than aerobic exercise for burning calories.
H.I.R.T. is the name given to the style of resistance training we will be discussing today. This is not pretty, but it is very effective!
However, if you want to burn fat you do not need to do endless reps with light weights. This does go against the gym myths from decades before us, but clinical studies prove that pushing yourself with heavier weights and for fewer reps will yield greater results for you. So dispel any thoughts of fitness classes which encourage you to lift empty barbells and ankle weights. To get the most from resistance training, we must go heavier.
The muscle building process which is kick-started following a weights workout is known as hypertrophy. The key factor here is that a session based around hypertrophy will use carbohydrates as it's main fuel during the workout. Not fat.
Now, you could see that as a disadvantage if your main goal is fat loss - why wouldn't you want to burn fat as your primary fuel?
That's because this anabolic response creates a procedure within the human body known as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption. This flips the fuel burning rule book out of the window and places our carbohdrate stores on temporary lockdown, forcing us to use fat as our primary source of fuel in the hours which follow a gym workout. Now you should be beginning to see the real advantages of high intensity weight lifting...
Carbohydrates may be the main macronutrient we use while we are training, but the moment we reach the end of our workout everything begins to change. Fat is then promoted as our primary fuel - and this phenomenon, known as the after burn effect, can last for up to sixteen hours!
But how do you actually do this style of training?
It's beauty is in it's simplicity. Or rather, it's simple to explain - it's not simple to do! The first step is to look at what other people are doing when they train with weights at your local gym. The chances are, they will lift for eight to ten repetitions then rest for a couple of minutes before repeating the process. This is pretty standard gym behavior.
But it is not H.I.R.T. and it is not the most effective training style for fat loss.
Put two or even four exercises together into a series of mini circuits throughout your workout. Avoid performing single set exercises followed by two minutes checking your phone or updating your social media status. Perform exercises back-to-back without rest, reducing your workload time but improving your productivity.
There are now numerous scientific studies which confirm the effectiveness of resistance training for fat loss. In fact, many even suggest it to be greater than cardio. If you train in a mainstream gym then there's a good chance you may never have stumbled across this information before. Use it wisely.
About the Author:
You can learn the exact techniques used to create your own 5 minute fat loss workout alongside many other fat loss facts by following top football coach Steve Menzies workouts on both YouTube and Fit Gurus.
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