Can Strength Training help with weight loss?
April 16, 2008 by Kel
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It all begins with cardio….need to lose weight? You need to do Cardio.
So why do Personal Trainers add Strength Training or weight sessions to your workout card if all you want to do is lose weight?
I asked my Personal Trainer and wife Liz Harper why…and as usual things got a little technical, but I eventually got the answer I was looking for.
“The More muscle you have the more you become a fat burning machine” she said.
I like the sound of that….but won’t that mean we’ll bulk up if we pump iron?
“No. If you’re doing at least 3-4 cardio sessions per week which could include aerobics, running, cycling, rowing etc, and one strength training or weights training workout per week you won’t bulk up.”
“The muscle you build will help your body to burn fat more efficiently.”
So here comes the technical spiel….There are two types of fibres that make up muscle called “slow twitch” and “Fast Twitch” fibres.
Slow Twitch fibres are also known as Type I fibres. They are generally small and aerobic and don’t get fatigued. These are always switched on and always working.
Fast Twitch fibres are known as Type II fibres. These fibres are anaerobic, big and strong and get tired quickly. There are two types of fast twitch fibres…Type IIa and Type IIb.
Type IIa are called fast oxidative glycolytic fibres. These fibres have the characteristics of both Type I and Type II fibres….and depending on the type of training performed will adapt like a chameleon.
So therefore the more cardio that you do the more that those Type IIa’s will take on the characteristics of Type I’s muscle fibre and the more strength resistance or weight training that you do they will take on type IIb’s characteristics.
Type IIb are fast glycolytic fibres that used food sugar for energy. (Which can assist diabetics with their blood sugar level management.)
So the moral of the story….unless you have a specific athletic or physical requirement everybody should do both cardio and strength training.
Searching for more articles about Strength Training?
Strength Training For Weight Loss Success
Strength Training Revs Up Your Metabolism
Strength Training for Weight Loss
Strength Training Exercises
Interesting how people see somethings the same