Resistance training, also known as strength training, is a form of exercise that involves working against resistance to build strength, endurance, and muscle tone. It can be performed using a variety of equipment such as dumbbells, resistance bands, weight machines, or simply using one's body weight.


Resistance training offers a multitude of benefits, including improved body composition, increased bone density, better overall health, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Additionally, it can be a great way to increase variety in your workout routine and prevent boredom.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced athlete, resistance training can be customized to your fitness level and goals. With the right guidance and training plan, you can achieve your desired results and improve your quality of life. In this blog article, we will dive deeper into the science behind resistance training, explore its benefits, and provide tips and guidance on how to incorporate resistance training into your workout routine. Let's get started!

Resistance training helps preserve lean muscle mass while promoting fat loss, which is crucial for long-term weight management. During resistance training, muscle fibers are damaged, and the body responds by repairing and rebuilding these fibers with new proteins. This process is called muscle protein synthesis, and it requires energy in the form of calories. When we consume more calories than we burn, the excess calories are stored as fat in adipose tissue. However, when we engage in resistance training and other exercises, we can create a calorie deficit, which forces the body to use stored fat as an energy source. 

Resistance training can also increase lean muscle mass, which can help to increase your basal metabolic rate (BMR). The BMR is the amount of energy the body burns at rest, and is responsible for over 70% of your oxygen (and energy) consumption each day. BMR is influenced by several factors including muscle mass. Therefore, by increasing muscle mass through resistance training, we can increase our BMR and burn more calories even when we are not exercising.


Does resistance training burn more fat than cardio?

Studies have shown that resistance training is more effective for fat loss than cardio alone. Here are some reasons why including resistance training in your fitness regime can be better than only doing cardio:

  • Increased muscle mass: As we mentioned above, resistance training is an effective way to build muscle mass, which can lead to an increase in your BMR. This means that your body will burn more calories even when you're not exercising, which can lead to greater fat loss over time.
  • Improved body composition: Resistance training can help to reduce body fat and increase lean body mass, resulting in improved body composition. This means that even if you don't lose weight, you may see a change in the way your body looks and feels.
  • Increased bone density: Resistance training can help to increase bone density, which is particularly important for women who are at a higher risk for osteoporosis as they age.
  • Better overall health: Resistance training can also lead to improved overall health, including better cardiovascular health, improved blood sugar control, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer.
  • Greater variety in your workout routine: Incorporating resistance training into your workout routine can provide greater variety and help prevent boredom. This can make it easier to stick to your exercise program long-term.

While cardio is an important component of a well-rounded workout routine, adding resistance training can provide additional benefits that are not typically achieved with cardio alone. By incorporating both types of exercise into your routine, you can maximize your health and fitness goals and achieve the best possible results.


What types of resistance training is best?

The best resistance exercises for getting results are compound movements that engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously. These exercises include but are not limited to, squats, lunges, deadlifts, bench press, and rows. These exercises require more energy and burn more calories than isolation exercises that target only one muscle group.

When designing a resistance training program, aim for 3-4 resistance training sessions per week, with each session lasting 45-60 minutes. Begin each session with a dynamic warm-up to prepare your muscles for exercise. Then, perform 3-4 sets of 8-12 repetitions for each exercise, using a weight that is challenging but allows you to maintain proper form and increase weight gradually as your strength and form improve. To get you started, this is a one-week resistance training plan you might consider. Always remember to consult a physician before starting any training program.


Day 1

Squats – 3 sets of 8-12 reps

Romanian Deadlifts – 3 sets of 8-12 reps

Dumbbell Bench Press – 3 sets of 8-12 reps

Dumbbell Row – 3 sets of 8-12 reps


Day 2

Walking Lunges – 3 sets of 8-12 reps

Deadlifts – 3 sets of 8-12 reps

Dumbbell Shoulder Press – 3 sets of 8-12 reps

Pull-ups – 3 sets of 8-12 reps


Day 3 - Rest

Day 4

Leg Press – 3 sets of 8-12 reps

Leg Curls – 3 sets of 8-12 reps

Incline Dumbbell Bench Press – 3 sets of 8-12 reps

Seated Cable Row – 3 sets of 8-12 reps

 

Day 5

Step-ups – 3 sets of 8-12 reps

Bulgarian Split Squats – 3 sets of 8-12 reps

Dumbbell Fly – 3 sets of 8-12 reps

Chin-ups – 3 sets of 8-12 reps


Day 6 - Rest

Day 7

Glute Bridges – 3 sets of 8-12 reps

Reverse Lunges – 3 sets of 8-12 reps

Incline Dumbbell Curl – 3 sets of 8-12 reps

Tricep Pushdowns – 3 sets of 8-12 reps


With any workout, remember to warm up before and stretch afterward. Start with a weight that challenges you, but allows you to maintain proper form. As you progress, gradually increase the weight or resistance.

To get the most out of your resistance training program, it is essential to pay attention to your nutrition. Focus on eating a balanced diet that includes lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Adequate protein intake is especially crucial for building and preserving lean muscle mass.


Conclusion

In conclusion, resistance training is an essential component of a well-rounded exercise program. It offers numerous benefits that cannot be achieved with cardio alone, such as increased muscle mass, improved body composition, increased bone density, and better overall health. Furthermore, resistance training provides a greater variety in your workout routine and can help prevent boredom.

When designing a resistance training program, it's important to consider the specific goals of the individual, as well as their fitness level and any pre-existing medical conditions. Some of the best resistance exercises include compound exercises like squats, deadlifts, and lunges, which target multiple muscle groups simultaneously. It's also important to incorporate a warm-up into your routine to prepare your muscles for exercise and help prevent injury.

Overall, resistance training is an effective way to improve your overall health and fitness, and it's important to incorporate it into your workout routine for optimal results. By doing so, you can achieve your fitness goals and improve your quality of life in the long term.

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