Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Why You Must Do Aerobic Exercise Only Twice

By Caleb Lee

Aerobics (long, steady state sub-maximal cardio) aren't great for a lot of health or fat loss related benefits. I've already done a post on why aerobic's ineffective for fat loss. Also I went into the health benefits of interval training contrary to steady-state aerobics in my interval training for fat loss article.

Though I should admit aerobic exercise has its place. It can be a beneficial tool in getting rid of stubborn body fat in the areas males get it most (the abs) and females (butt, hips and thighs) But only if you do it on one of these two occasions (and I'll explain why as well!):

Time No. 1 You Have To Do Aerobics: After Interval Workout

To begin with, let's look at what intervals and aerobics do in your body

Steady state target heart rate cardio (aerobics). Uses fat for energy, but the problem is it takes a long time to exercise for the body to start using fat as fuel for this type of cardio.

Extreme intensity interval training. Burns glycogen and sends out fatty acids into the blood stream, but it doesn't use those fatty acids for energy, which means they get redeposited into the fat cells.

Here's how you obtain the both of best worlds:

1. Do your 12 minutes or less of interval training

2. Hang around 5 minutes

3. Do 20 (maximum 30) minutes of steady state cardio (aerobics)

When you execute it this way, the HIIT followed by 5 minutes rest guarantees a large release of fatty acids into the blood stream, which means you're assured to be burning fat as energy when you do your aerobics! Neat huh?

Time Number 2 You Must Do Aerobics: Once you're done lifting weights

Extreme weight lifting is completely like High Intensity Interval Training in the effects that it has on your body, the fuel it uses, and so on. So the only other time you should do aerobic cardio is after your weight lifting.

I suggest 20-30 mins of low-medium depth steady state cardio after weight lifting.

Why You Must Know This

CNS overload: If you're lifting intensly, focusing on strength, doing low reps with heavy weights 3x per week, you're working your central nervous system to increase your strength (primarily). Interval training on your "off" days may be overload for some people, steady state aerobics after weights is a good option if that's you.

Stubborn fat: If you're already around 10-12% body fat (guys) or 15-17% bf (women) and you need to get SUPER ripped, then you should employ the HIIT followed with aerobics in this case. It will help strip away those last stubborn pounds. - 16003

About the Author: