Bigger IS Better for Losing Body Fat

by: Paul Boisvert - NSPA Certified Conditioning Specialist

There is a common misconception about how to go about reducing body fat with exercise. Some people will obsessively focus on the areas of their bodies that are flabby or loose. Most people are very conscious of their abdominal area. Women tend to dwell on their thighs, hips, and upper arms. Some men are concerned about areas beyond the abdominals especially the chest area. It only stands to reason that the course of action would be to attack the muscles located in these areas, right?

With this line of thought we could say that side bends will melt away those love handles. Abdominal muscle training alone will give us a shredded mid section. Dumbbell kickbacks will firm up the back of our upper arms. Finally, the list would not be complete without those ever -popular inner/outer thigh exercises. While these exercises do contribute to an effective workout, they should not be the main areas of focus.

So what's a quicker, more effective way to a leaner body?

It should be obvious that nutrition is a giant factor. The concept is easy to understand although it often proves difficult to act on without result oriented coaching.

Aerobic or cardiovascular training is also necessary. It is usually not a hard sell. Most people understand the positive effects of regular aerobic exercise.

The science of cardiovascular training is also fairly easy to comprehend. Yet like nutrition, professional guidance may be needed to stay consistent.

That leaves strength/core training and stretching. The large muscle groups would be the main areas of focus as you start on your journey toward a shredded, cut, and ripped physique. (It might be easier to invest in some cutlery). Moving these large muscles through their full ROM (refer to my last blog) will promote more flexibility and a complete strengthening of the muscle body. When we train large muscles, several other muscles are used to assist with the movement and stabilization of the body. The large muscle groups include the upper back, chest, thigh, and gluteal muscles.

Our smaller muscles are usually located at the fat storage areas (oblique muscles, triceps, inner/outer thigh, etc.) They do not require as much assistance to move. Therefore, they do not need to expend as many calories as the larger muscles.

Large muscle training also lends to a more potent recovery as several fuel-burning chemical processes fortify our muscles in anticipation of the next challenging workout.

Effective training is not usually learned without interaction. Someone should be there to steer your mind through the workout and give you feedback on your technique. DVD's, Magazines, and other media fail to do this.

Performance is everything when it comes to results.

I am open to questions and comments so please feel free to contact me.

Email: paul@electrahealthclub.com Phone: (941) 729-6900