Fitness Info on Resistance Training
Fitness information from scientists at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and Arizona State University in Tempe found that resistance exercises push the body to burn calories for up to two hours after working out. Resistance training involving weightlifting may prove as important as aerobic exercise for women in fighting fat and being fit.
Aerobic exercises typically burn more calories during the workout than weightlifting, but the energy expenditure lasts less than an hour afterward. Resistance training could have a more lasting effect on metabolism; it burns fat and increases muscle mass.
Researchers studied a dozen women ages 24 to 34. On one day, the women did weightlifting exercises such as chest presses, leg presses, and bicep curls, while on another day they sat still and watched a movie. It is not surprising that on average, the exercises burned more than three times as many calories than were burned while watching the movie. For maximum workout, the researchers suggest a combination of both aerobic exercises and resistance training. These findings were reported in the Journal of Medicine, Science Sports and Exercise.
Be sure to check with your health care provider for guidance.
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