Weight Loss Meets Weight Training
As you probably already know, aerobic, or “cardio” workouts are an essential tool for any weight loss program. Recent studies, however, indicate that incorporating anaerobic workouts, like lifting weights, can help you reach your weight loss goals as well.
Every muscle in the human body requires energy to move, and when you work out, you lose weight by using more energy to move more muscles. Weight training helps burn more calories by building muscle mass, so the tissue being exercised by lifting weights becomes bigger and stronger.
Larger muscles require more energy to move. Therefore, when you workout with increased muscle mass, you are actually burning more calories during your workout than you would with smaller muscles.
Incorporate weight training into your cardio workout by carrying a set of dumbbells, or use a “circuit training” method that alternates aerobic and anaerobic exercises for the maximum fat-burning effect. An example of a circuit training workout might include five-minute sprints between pushups, abdominal crunches, and weight lifting exercises.
By maximizing your workout, you can spend less time achieving the body you want. An additional bonus of weight training for weight loss is that your everyday movements like going to work, preparing dinner, and the rest will also be burning more calories per hour as your increased muscle mass requires a few extra calories as well. So be sure to incorporate weight training as a part of your workout plan to achieve weight loss results a little faster.