Weight Loss Workout Routines

Workout routines for weight loss are designed to primarily kick-start your metabolism and keep it elevated for an extended period of time. If you want to seriously burn fat as quickly as possible, the primary emphasis should be placed on boosting your metabolic rate...

Most people focus on the amount of calories burned during the actual workout. Although it helps to directly burn calories, the main focus of a workout program should be to effectively elevate your metabolism, so you can burn calories throughout the day and even while you sleep. True success lies in this strategy.

So how do you effectively boost your metabolism?

Well, the best way is to train with weights, period. Cardio is good for burning calories and enhancing cardiovascular health, but it doesn't compare to weight training in charging up your metabolic rate for a sustained timeframe.

It is well-known fact that each additional pound of muscle you gain burns an extra 20-30 calories per day, even while you rest. This is because muscle is active tissue that requires constant maintenance. By adding just 2-3 pounds of muscle, you'll be burning an extra 80-100 calories per day.

In addition, each weight training session sends your body into a state of influx, in which its trying to suck up as many nutrients as possible and rebuild your muscles. This process is very calorie intensive, and you can have an elevated metabolism for up to 24 hours after an intense workout.

If you want to maximize the weigh loss while enjoying cardiovascular benefits, minimize the rest between sets. Try to move to the next set within 10-15 seconds, and you'll keep your heart-rate up, which is very beneficial for fat loss.

Moreover, you should focus on slightly higher reps, 12-15, to burn more calories during the workout. Compound exercises that focus on working more than one muscle group are an excellent choice. Bench press, squats, and military press qualify as compound exercises.

Keep your weight training sessions to 30 minutes, and then immediately do some medium-intensity cardio for an additional 20-30 minutes. During this cardio session, you'll burn 200-300% more calories since your metabolism is raging from the weight lifting workout. Moreover, your body will tap into fat as a source of fuel, since glycogen reserves have been depleted.

The term "weight loss" should be replaced by "fat loss". This is because weight is easy to lose. Simply dehydrate yourself and you'll lose a ton of weight. Weight loss can also mean a loss of muscle, and as stated in this article, muscle is your best friend for losing fat. Remember, your goal is to build or preserve muscle while burning fat.

Here are some additional links on weight loss workout routines:

Weight Loss & Toning Workout Routines

Bodybuilding Tips & Routines