Make Sure You Add a Balanced Weight Training Program to Your Exercise Routine.
 
It is a common misconception that in order to lose weight one must endure endless and exhausting amounts of cardio exercise. Weight training is almost always avoided because most people feel it will only help with building muscle and not reduce body fat. This is wholly untrue. Weight training plays an extremely important role in body fat reduction and in most cases; weight training can have a larger impact on body fat reduction than cardio alone.
 
There is no secret to losing weight; burn more calories than you consume. The most effective way to do this is to increase your metabolism, and in doing so, increase the amount of calories you burn at rest. Weight training plays a major role in increasing metabolism. One hour of intense weight training can burn just as many calories as one hour of moderate cardio; however, after one hour of cardio your body stops burning calories, not the case with weight training. Following an intense weight training workout the body is recovering and repairing muscle fibers, as a result it continues to burn calories for up to three to four days after your workout.
 
After approximately three to four days, not only should your muscles be fully recovered, you will have developed new muscle. This newly developed muscle is now also burning calories. Each pound of muscle gained can burn up to an extra 50 calories per day. The more muscle you have, the higher your resting caloric expenditure, or the more calories you burn while going about your daily routine. If you increase your metabolism by one calorie every five minutes, this equates to burning one pound of body fat every twelve days.
 
Women especially avoid weight training for fear of being bulky and/or masculine. Testosterone is the key component to building muscle, and because women have naturally lower testosterone levels than men (10 to 30 times less), it is harder for them to build muscle. Weight training only enhances a woman’s natural hourglass figure by defining and toning their muscles.
 
In order for weight training to be effective, you must have proper technique, be consistent (3 -4 times per week) and workout at the right intensity level. Be sure to see a qualified personal trainer to ensure that you have proper technique to avoid injuries and ineffective workouts. A personal trainer will also advise on an appropriate intensity level for you and design a balance training program.  Combine this with thirty minutes of cardio 4-5 times a week, and a balanced nutritional program and you will reach your fitness goals.
 
 
Jason Prazak
General Manager / Personal Trainer
Fitness 365