I don't have a problem with running, but I've always seen running as more of a hobby than as a highly effective weight loss tool. My reasoning for this is because the body adapts well to running and the energy needed to run is reduced once you become "good" at running. The metabolic demand on the body diminishes over time and running is no longer as effective a fuel burner as it used to be. While this rings true for most activities, runners tend to be a sort who hold tightly to their trade and don't look kindly upon other forms of weight loss activity.
I came by this article the other day and decided it was definitely worth passing on to any women who run in hopes of decreasing body fat.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Exercise Selection for Weight Loss
When you see advertisements for exercise equipment, or even fitness training, this is probably what they show you:
They show you a picture or a video of a thin woman curling a little dumbbell and tell you about a weight loss program, product, or technique. Other variations of this show a person on a leg extension machine or whatever the current "miracle" abs contraption is. While direct arm work has it's place in fitness, this trainer doesn't see it as being a foundation of weight loss.
When was the last time you saw someone panting, sweating, and knocking you over to get a drink because of a set of dumbbell curls? It doesn't happen because the muscles involved don't expend many calories in performing the exercise. Weight loss is about healthy diet and calorie expenditure. Now I've seen plenty of people sweating over squats, push ups, pull ups, and other activities which require multi-joint activity. Compound, multi-joint exercises should be the bread and butter of a strength routine focused on weight loss. Save the curls and the extensions for later.
They show you a picture or a video of a thin woman curling a little dumbbell and tell you about a weight loss program, product, or technique. Other variations of this show a person on a leg extension machine or whatever the current "miracle" abs contraption is. While direct arm work has it's place in fitness, this trainer doesn't see it as being a foundation of weight loss.
When was the last time you saw someone panting, sweating, and knocking you over to get a drink because of a set of dumbbell curls? It doesn't happen because the muscles involved don't expend many calories in performing the exercise. Weight loss is about healthy diet and calorie expenditure. Now I've seen plenty of people sweating over squats, push ups, pull ups, and other activities which require multi-joint activity. Compound, multi-joint exercises should be the bread and butter of a strength routine focused on weight loss. Save the curls and the extensions for later.
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