Who: Camilo Guiterrez and Jovi Radtke
Scene: Midtown
Strength and Conditioning
2010
3rd Street
Sacramento,
CA 95818
(916)
599-5877
Mood: Currently
listening to Chevelle’s “Send the Pain Below”.
The first thing
you should have is a game plan. Think about why you’re focusing on body fat
instead of overall fitness and strength. Contrary to popular belief, the use of
the ever-popular treadmill, stair-master, and elliptical machines that have
taken over every commercial gym does not have the same impact that you’re
taught to believe. Sure, you’re burning calories. Sure, you’re burning fat.
Sure, you’re getting sweaty and working your body. But, you could be doing so
much more if you just combine your fierce cardio focus with a little bit of
weight-training.
It’s proven that
the human body will continue to burn more calories at a higher rate AFTER your strength
training workout is complete than it does after a cardio only workout. While
the cardio only workout might burn more calories during the actual workout
session, your burn session stops there. With an average weight-training
workout, your body will continue to work for you for at least 36 hours
post-workout. This means your metabolic rate will stay increased 36 times
longer than it took you to workout in the first place! Think about it like
this: if you weight-train three days a week, ideally MWF, your metabolic rate
resets almost at the exact point when it’s time to hit the weights again.
Meaning, your body is always burning calories at an elevated rate. Meaning,
your body will lose fat at a faster rate. Meaning, you only need to work hard
three hours a week instead of two hours everyday on a stationary machine.
Meaning, you get your hours back.
Now, don’t get
me wrong, movement is movement and any movement is better than not moving at
all, just be careful on what your primary focus is. If you want fat loss above
anything else and have a deep love for cardio, then try combining it with a 30
minute weight-lifting session three days a week. You’ll be surprised with how
quickly you see results. So much so, that I’m almost positive you’ll say
goodbye to the machines and hello to the regained hours of your life.
