Many people believe that if they only perform aerobic
exercises not only will they lose weight but also tone and firm their muscles.
In reality, aerobic exercise is mainly only a fat burning exercises through the
increase of metabolic activity, but doesn’t implicate a lot of muscle action.
Resistance training, otherwise known as weight training, is where the real
toning occurs and utilizing both methods produces the greatest weight loss
benefits. In fact, countless studies have shown that the combination of both
types of exercises can increase weight loss by up to 60%!
Muscle may weigh more, but when you increase your muscle
composition, the body is able to burn more fat, even when you are resting,
because your metabolism is higher. A pound of muscle will use 350 to 500
calories per week to survive, while a pound of fat only needs about 14 calories
per week. New studies have shown that building muscle helps your body fight
disease better, too.
Strength training benefits everyone, no matter what age or
sex, and is becoming recognized as an important component of fitness. Research
is indicating that the muscle loss found in elderly people doesn't come from
age, but lack of activity. Even a young person who doesn't get enough exercise
can lose muscle mass and strength. Strength training, such as lifting weights
or performing weight-resistance exercises, as little as twice a week can help
maintain or increase muscle mass.
It is very important to do both aerobics and strength
exercises. The aerobic exercises help your heart and lungs get stronger and
help your body utilize oxygen more efficiently, which in turn helps with
strength training and overall fitness. The strength exercise helps develop
muscle, reduce body fat and maintain bone mass.
