Are you looking for an effective way to lose fat? Resistance training can be an excellent addition to your workout routine in order to help burn fat, build muscle, and improve your overall fitness. This guide will take you through the basics of resistance training, explain how it can help you reach your fat-loss goals, and provide you with an example fat-loss workout routine.
What Is Resistance Training?
Resistance training often referred to as “weight lifting” or “strength training” is an exercise program designed to build muscle and strength by manipulating the intensity and duration of exercise. It usually involves a variety of exercises that involve creating resistance against gravity, such as lifting weights or using exercise bands.
Benefits of Resistance Training
Resistance training provides many benefits and is an excellent addition to any fitness routine. It can help:
- Increase muscle size, strength, and power.
- Improve bone density and reduce the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.
- Improve balance, flexibility, and coordination.
- Increase the rate of burning calories.
- Improve cardiovascular health and cardiovascular endurance.
- Reduce the risk of injury, as well as provide a healthier and stronger body as you age.
Resistance Training for Fat Loss
Resistance training is especially beneficial for fat loss as it helps to increase your metabolism and burn more calories even after the workout is completed. This means that the body continues to burn calories even when you are not actively working out. Additionally, resistance training can help build lean muscle which further boosts your metabolism and promotes fat loss.
Example Fat-Loss Workout
To help you get started on your resistance-training fat-loss journey, here is an example workout routine:
- Monday – Lower body workout: squats, lunges, deadlifts, calf raises, and hip thrusts.
- Tuesday – Upper body workout: chest press, shoulder press, rows, lat pulldowns, tricep extensions, and bicep curls.
- Wednesday – Rest Day.
- Thursday – Interval: alternate bursts of high intensity with periods of rest.
- Friday – Core workout: planks, side planks, sit-ups, Russian twists, and bird dogs.
- Saturday – Full-body circuit: perform 3-4 circuits of 8-10 exercises that work the whole body.
- Sunday – Rest Day.
Before beginning any workout program, make sure to consult with a medical professional or certified personal trainer. They can help you structure your program in a way that is safe and effective for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of equipment do I need for resistance training?
You don’t need any specialized equipment to do resistance training. You can use free weights, exercise bands, bodyweight, machines, and other objects you have around your house.
How often should I resistance train?
Most experts recommend resistance training 3-4 days per week. However, you can adjust this based on your own fitness goals and the time you have available to dedicate to workouts.
How long should my resistance training workouts last?
It depends on your level of fitness and the intensity of your workouts. Generally, a full-body workout should last around 45 minutes to an hour, while an upper/lower body split should take about 25-30 minutes.
What are the benefits of resistance training for fat-loss?
Resistance training can be an effective form of exercise for fat loss when used in combination with a healthy diet and lifestyle. Benefits of resistance training include:• Improved muscle tone and strength – Building muscles help increase the body’s metabolism, which in turn can lead to weight loss and a decrease in fat.
• Increased muscle definition – Resistance training can help improve muscle definition and make the body look toned.
• Helps burn calories and fat – Resistance training can help increase the body’s ability to burn calories and fat.
• Maintain muscle – Resistance training can also help prevent age-related muscle loss and help maintain muscle mass.
• Increased energy levels – Resistance training has been linked to increased energy levels and improved mood.
• Improved posture – Strengthening the muscles can improve posture and reduce back and joint pain.