Q: I've heard you mention that you don't need tons of cardio to burn stubborn abdominal fat. Okay, I can live with that, but you've also said that it isn't absolutely necessary to perform direct ab work either. What gives?
A: If you want to build a serious set of abdominals, routinely perform the following exercises and their variations: squats, deadlifts, chin-ups, and standing military presses. These multi-joint movements require a strong contribution from the abdominals to stabilize the core, particularly when heavy loads are used. It is not uncommon to hear clients complain of abdominal soreness a day or two after performing multiple sets with a decent weight of the chin-up or standing military press exercise - the ab prestretch will tap into fibers you never thought existed! And remember, your abdominals act as a natural girdle, or weight belt if you will, when performing all exercises, particularly squats and deadlifts. These muscles act as a bridge between your upper and lower body and are heavily recruited as stabilizers.
Sure, isolation exercises like pullovers, curls, and even triceps pressdowns also require a good degree of core stability; however, the loads used are relatively low compared to the big 4 mentioned above. In fact, according to Siff & Verkhoshansky, isolation becomes virtually impossible if large loads are used, and in many cases, the tension developed in the stabilizers will equal or even exceed that of the prime movers!* So, you see, the abdominals can be trained quite effectively as stabilizers - the physiques of top Olympic weightlifters will attest to that.
*Siff, MC, Verkhoshansky, YV. "Supertraining (4th Edition)." Denver, CO: Supertraining International, 1999. (pg. 241)
Q: I am still very much confused regarding cardio intensity. One book says keep it low intensity (i.e. 60% of MHR) and go for distance; another keep it high intensity (80% or more) and go for as long and hard as you can. The goal is to burn fat. Each book has great arguments for their approach. Which is accurate?
A: The second approach is far more effective for burning fat. Without getting into a huge discussion about this, here's how things work in a nutshell.
At a lower intensity, your body prefers fat for fuel. Yes, this is true, but two things generally happen:
1. After awhile of doing this type of activity, your body adapts by actually laying down fat (you heard me right) to become more efficient at the given task and this usually occurs in the lower body, and
2. A higher relative amount of fat is burned during low intensity cardio but a greater absolute amount is burned with higher intensity cardio and in less time.
Other things to consider are: a) the EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption) is greater for a longer duration following higher intensity work; in other words, you're metabolism is much higher for a longer period of time post-workout with high intensity cardio, and b) higher lactate levels exist with high intensity cardio. So what you may ask? Well there is a direct correlation with lactate and GH (Growth Hormone) and GH is a potent fat-burner.
Bottom line: with regards to burning fat, do higher intensity work in the form of interval training and you'll get great results.
John Paul Catanzaro is a certified kinesiologist and professional fitness and lifestyle consultant with a specialized honours Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and Health Science. He owns and operates a private gym in Toronto, Ontario providing training and nutritional consulting services. For additional information, visit his website at www.BodyEssence.ca or call 416-292-4356.
limousine chicago serviceWhen women talk about their biggest obstacles to successful weight... Read More
I want to talk to you about cows and what... Read More
As of the writing of this article, May 16, 2005,... Read More
More and more people are starting to recognize that they... Read More
Are you gaining weight sitting in front of the computer?... Read More
There are currently over 100 billion dollars sold in weight-loss... Read More
- Are your ideas of obesity and fat control based... Read More
What does it take to lose weight?When it comes to... Read More
ObesityToday, 64.5 percent of adult Americans (about 127 million) are... Read More
For sometime now, you've been hearing about the Milk Diet... Read More
Low carb diets, though popular, have met with much controversy.... Read More
The very first thing you want to do before you... Read More
After weight loss surgery it is important to include as... Read More
Here are seven tips for getting the calories out of... Read More
It's been called the world's oldest medicine, the miracle fat... Read More
Abdominal liposuction refers to liposuction, or lipoplasty, that is performed... Read More
There are tons of fad diets and weight loss schemes... Read More
Did you say there's a way I can eat what... Read More
Life is extraordinary filled with wonderful people to show up... Read More
I want to talk about the "all or nothing" outlook... Read More
Burn fat while you sleep! Eat whatever you want and... Read More
Yep, it is that time of year again! Time to... Read More
When we gain more weight than is good for us,... Read More
It happens every morning when you mosey out of bed,... Read More
I am sure that when I mention setting objectives for... Read More
can't open file for w /hsphere/local/home/sasha/casapolis.co/tools/neptun/temp/max14separatorstylefontsize10pxcolorblackfontfamilyverdanatextdecorationnone.htmlIt can be intimidating to follow a weight loss plan,... Read More
From driving up your blood pressure and cholesterol, to increasing... Read More
You gain weight when your calorie intake is more than... Read More
Do you know what the words really mean on food... Read More
Recently a woman went public in her online diet community... Read More
The loss of fat comes from fat cells all over... Read More
Looking to lose weight quickly? The good news is that... Read More
Before you try starving yourself or turning to diet drugs... Read More
Diet is a dreadful word for most of us because... Read More
It's the American Dream: "If I could just lose a... Read More
Your Non-Conscious Mind is 98% of your full power.Your Inner... Read More
Carnitine is simply the safest and healthiest supplement you can... Read More
The most recent shocking news related to Atkins diet UK... Read More
There are many books and internet articles written about weight... Read More
There are currently over 100 billion dollars sold in weight-loss... Read More
Cut the Calories, Bring Out the BikiniSummer's almost here and... Read More
The story broke in the international press on October 4th,... Read More
While exercising isn't complicated, it's very easy to make mistakes.... Read More
More than any other time in history, people are all... Read More
Weight Watchers inspired me to change my eating habits, lose... Read More
The cost of gastric bypass surgery and other bariatric surgical... Read More
More than 70% of US adults are overweight and that... Read More
How many calories you consume has a big impact on... Read More
Weight Loss and Water: A Way to Make Your Body... Read More
Its crowded..really crowded..every other site offers Weight Loss Programs and... Read More
Weight Loss Weight Loss |