Why Strength Training Burns Fat

Why Strength Training Burns Fat

(1 of 2 pages)

The most successful way to achieve long-term weight loss/control is to increase the lean muscle tissue on our bodies and this is done through weight training. Whether you train in a gym or at home, use bodyweight, resistance bands, dumbbells, barbells or machines, it doesn't matter, as long as you fatigue the muscles so they adapt and strengthen.

Why does weight training fat burn?

Muscle tissue is the most metabolically active part of our body and is extremely willing to adapt and change, (to our weight control advantage), if we prioritise it. Muscle tissue requires energy just to 'be' on our bodies, meaning it uses calories whether we are running, walking, standing, seating or sleeping (obviously the rate at which calories are burned is reflected by the intensity/demand the muscles are under at any given time).

Analogy: Comparing our bodies to a car engine, an engine that revs at a higher rate uses more fuel and a body with more muscle tissue revs at a higher rate using more fuel (calories!).

With muscle tissue, an individual requires a greater calorie intake to maintain the muscle integrity - which means that a person has a higher metabolic rate or in weight loss terms, more calories they can consume before they 'over consuming' for their needs and gaining weight.