Getting in shape doesn’t have to be an epic battle. It is possible to burn more fat through strength training.

For lose weight and body fat, the body must burn more calories than it consumes. This requires eating a well-balanced, low-fat diet and getting at least thirty minutes of moderate cardiovascular exercise every day. The more intense the exercise, the more calories and body fat can be burned. The key to burning these calories and fat is to increase your metabolism. The higher the metabolism, the better results you will have.

The most common and easiest way to boost metabolism is to incorporate a weight lifting program into your exercise regimen. This is effective because muscle tissues burn more calories than fat tissues. Experts recommend adding light to moderate weight training or activities to two to three of your regular weekly workouts. These sessions can be as formal as lifting dumbbells on a weight bench at a local gym, or as relaxed as lifting canned goods at home. The goal is to build lean, healthy muscle, not become a bodybuilder.

Using proper body mechanics while lifting is a crucial part of reaching your desired fitness level. Failure to do so could lead to serious injury or further agitation of existing injuries. Starting small and increasing the amount of weight and repetitions slowly and gradually is the best way to ensure that the body is not overworked. It is recommended that you consult a physician before beginning any new exercise program.

Just as pounds don’t magically drop off, muscle doesn’t build immediately. With regular and consistent routines, muscle mass and density will increase over the course of several months. During this process, your metabolism increases and you burn more calories throughout the day. In addition to these changes, several others are occurring that may not be visible to the naked eye. Among these are increases in tendon and ligament strength and elasticity, denser bones, more stable balance, lower risk of serious illness, and more correct posture.

It is widely misunderstood that building muscle directly burns fat. This is not exact. Building muscle through strength training increases the number of calories the body uses to function on any given day. As calories are consumed, the body uses them as fuel to carry out the processes necessary for life, such as respiration and digestion. A body with more muscle needs more calories than a body with less muscle. As a result, the metabolism increases to adapt to the insufficiency, thus burning fat.

To effectively build muscle and promote health, it is important to engage and strengthen all major muscle groups. Major muscle groups include the upper and lower legs, hips and buttocks, chest, back, shoulders, abdominals, and upper and lower arms. These groups should be rotated and cycled throughout the week to prevent overuse, fatigue, and injury. There are many excellent books and websites available to demonstrate fun and energizing ways to engage multiple muscle groups at once and the proper body mechanics to do so.

Introducing a few small changes to one’s regular training program may be all that is needed to achieve their fitness goals. A healthy balance of a low-fat diet, cardiovascular exercise, and strength training can be the last push toward success.