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Exercise

How to Combine Cardio With Weight Training for Maximum Fat Loss


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Most people tend to focus on burning the maximum amount of calories through cardio training when they are trying to burn off fat. And while cardio, such a running, cycling or walking on a treadmill does burn calories, most would see better results (and quicker) by incorporating strength training into their cardio training.

Working in a weight training component into a cardio workout is not as difficult as it may seem. All that is required are a set of dumbbells. Pick the heaviest pair that you can use and complete a full workout. If you exhaust early, use a lighter weight next time. If you feel you could do more once finished, use a heavier pair.

Here is a sample routine that uses dumbbells incorporated into cardio training normally only done using bodyweight.

Squat Press

Start by standing with feet hip-width apart while holding the dumbbells at shoulder height. Now bend at the knees and lower your body down until your thighs are parallel to the floor. In one swift move stand up and drive the dumbbells upward until so that you end up standing with your arms fully extended over your head holding the dumbbells.

Lunge Press

A variation to the squat press is to replace the squat with a forward lunge. Instead of bending both knees, place one foot forward and bend the opposite knee. At the same time, push up the dumbbells. To get back to the starting position, push off with your forward foot while bringing the dumbbells back down. Repeat with the other foot forward.

Reverse Lunge Press

This is a variation of the Lunge Press. Instead of placing one foot forward, take a step back while bending the other knee. At the same time push the dumbbells up. Now push forward with your rear leg while bringing the dumbbells back to the starting position.

Lateral Lunge Press

Instead of taking a step forward or back, take a step to the side while driving the dumbbells up. Push off with the extended foot and bring the dumbbells down back to the staring position. Repeat with the other leg.

For each of the lunge exercises, do 3 sets per leg with 6 reps in each set.

Plank Rows

Assume the forward plank position with a dumbbell in each hand. Lift one arm up until your elbow is fully bent. Now place the barbell back down on the ground and repeat using your other arm. Perform 3 sets with 6 reps per set.

If you are going to work out anyway, why not combine cardio and weight training to get the maximum fat loss from your training efforts. The time invested is the same, but the results are so much better.

How to Warm Up Before Lifting Weights

We see it all the time at the gym. Someone will come in, get changed, and start right away trying to lift their max. And they most likely will succeed . . . for now. But what they don’t know is that one day they will come in, do their normal routine and suffer a debilitating injury that can put them out of commission for days, weeks or even forever.

Think of your body like your car. You wouldn’t think of backing it out of the driveway, putting it in drive and pushing the accelerator all the way to the floor would you? Most likely you first drive it around at a lower speed until you get to the highway where you can gradually increase your speed up to the limit or at a safe speed based on driving conditions at the time.

Cardio First

Start by first doing a few reps of some light cardio exercises to get the blood flowing, increase joint range of motion and activate muscle fibers. A circuit of jumping jacks, squats, lunges, rows and pushups is all you need. This warms up both the upper and lower body and increases your breathing rate, thus preparing your body for what is to come next.

Then Dynamic Stretching

Next move into some dynamic stretching by lifting a lighter amount of weight than what you use in your normal workout. Dynamic stretching lightly works the muscles about to be used through their range of motion. Warm-up the same muscles that you will work in your workout.

Begin by lifting half of your one-rep max (RM) for 6 to 8 repetitions. If you are not familiar with the term RM, it is the amount of weight you can lift once or for only one repetition. It is a standard used in the strength training community when lifting weights as to the percentage something is when measured against the RM. Follow that with 3 to 4 reps at 65% RM. Doing it this way you are warming up each muscle right before running it through your normal routine for that muscle group.

The Age Factor

Also age makes a difference as far as how long and how much weight you should be lifting during a warm-up. If older, instead of trying to lift 50% of your RM, start out doing a set using 25%. Then gradually increase the weight until you are at the 65% RM. Take it slow and if it takes you longer to warm-up, so what. Listen to your body and let it be your guide. All rushing does is increase your chances for an injury that could end working out for good.

Finish out your workout with some static stretching which is extending a muscle worked out to its maximum range of motion and holding it there for a count of 10 seconds or so. Warming up and cooling down will get you to your goal quicker with less chances of suffering an injury.

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