Want to Burn Calories? Try Weight Training to Lose Fat

By: Sean Nalewanyj

[ Posted On: 2009-11-22 ]

There's lots of misinformation out there regarding the proper methods of weight training to lose fat.

In truth, if you want to build a lean and shapely physique and you're using weight training to lose fat, you need to train as a bodybuilder. Yes, that includes women too!

Why? Let me tell you...

You need to build and maintain your body's levels of lean muscle mass when weight training to lose fat; this should be your primary concern. Since muscle is metabolically active, it burns calories all on its own. Simply put, the amount of muscle you have is directly proportional to your metabolic rate.

To build the lean muscle mass that your body needs in order to raise your metabolism, you need to continuously lift weights that are a little beyond your current capacity. Why? It stimulates growth. This means that if you don't push yourself, you won't get any real results from your weight training. It's that simple!

Are you weight training to lose fat? If yes, then remember to keep your reps in the low to moderate range. Most people are under the misconception that doing high reps with light weights will burn more fat. You want to know the truth? It's completely false.

It is physically impossible to target fat loss to a specific area on your body. You should know that you can't magically melt fat off at the areas that you're working when you train with weights.

If you're weight training to lose fat, stick to low to moderate reps as it will ensure better results. By tapping into your fast twitch muscle fibers, which are the most responsive to increases in size and strength, they allow you to handle more weight and provide a deeper growth stimulating effect.

In addition, they allow you to keep your set short, which lets you maintain peak mental focus and decrease the chances of injury due to sloppy technique.

For upper body exercises, your reps need to range between a low of 5 and a high of 10. So, the weight you choose should be such that you can do at least 5, but no more than 10 reps, in proper form.

The muscles of the lower body are more responsive than those of the upper body; this means that you can do up to 25 reps and achieve good results.

When you're weight training to lose fat, your focus should remain on stimulating muscle growth; for this, you need to train hard and be able to increase your poundage and reps each week.

For this reason, adequately resting your between each set is necessary.

While the standard thinking is that one should rest for about 30 to 60 seconds between sets, this is not ideal as it doesn't allow the muscles to fully rest.

If you're weight training to lose fat, you need to rest your muscles for as long as you need so as to recover sufficiently before the next set in order for it to be fully effective. A rest period can range from 2 to 5 minutes between sets, depending on the person.

Always remember that weight training to lose fat isn't the same as cardio. Burning fat isn't your goal; you need to stimulate muscle growth so that your overall metabolism speeds up. This will allow you to shed fat from your whole body, both quickly and easily. In addition, lean muscle helps you attain an athletic look.

Article Source: http://www.afroarticles.com/article-dashboard

About The Author: Sean Nalewanyj's -- Access Your Bonus Gift: Discover the secrets to burn fat faster with Sean Nalewanyj's famous 6-part fat loss course.

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