A couple of years ago, HIIT (high intensity interval training) was one of the trendiest workouts in the world. Comprising short bursts of intense exercise followed by periods of rest or low-intensity activity, it was widely hailed as an ultra-effective calorie burner, and a great way of accentuating fat loss. However, it's important to realise that interval training is not the only way to shed fat and lose unwanted pounds. After all, some people are intimidated by the fast-paced and intense nature of interval training, and it can be hard on the joints and difficult to maintain for a long period of time.
So, you might be pleased to know that more and more research is showing that everything from running to lifting weights and joining group fitness classes can help you create the body you want. In this blog, we will help you break through all the thousands of weight loss theories offered by fitness influencers and experts alike, and give you a rundown of practical and accessible fat burning workouts that are just as impactful as interval training. All used and verified by the expert personal trainers at Embody Fitness, and designed for those of all abilities and fitness levels, here are five enjoyable types of fat loss exercise that help you achieve amazing results in rapid time.
While only doing endless hours of cardio won’t result in a toned and defined physique, it is nevertheless an essential part of any weight loss journey. Although steady state cardio (for instance running or cycling over a long distance at a consistent speed) isn’t necessarily the ‘best’ form of fat loss exercise, it can still improve your heart health, help you burn calories, and improve your stamina and endurance.
Just as importantly, cardio can bring many benefits for mental health. Many people relish the ‘runners high’ and euphoric feeling that comes after a refreshing jog. In addition, joining a running or cycling club can be a fantastic way of making friends, and spending more time outside.
Interval running workouts are similar to HIIT in that they alternate intense periods of activity with lower-intensity periods. For instance, you might sprint for one minute on a treadmill, and then jog or walk for two minutes, before repeating the pattern for 20 minutes or more. Studies show that interval running training helps you burn more calories than running at a steady pace, however both types of cardio are beneficial in their own ways.
In fact, some experts suggest that it is best to alternate between interval cardio and steady cardio, and not just to do one or the other. Finally, it’s important to remember that cardio doesn’t just mean running or cycling, and that it doesn’t have to involve jumping, sprinting, or putting pressure on your joints. Walking, dancing, and swimming are all brilliant types of cardio, and so you just need to find a form that works for you and your body.
Many people associate cardio with being the form of exercise that helps with weight loss, and strength training with being the workout that builds muscle and causes you to bulk up. However, in reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth. While strength training does build muscle, it also burns fat, allowing you to create the body of your dreams as quickly as possible. Strength training - including both bodyweight training and lifting weights - is so effective for weight loss because muscles burn more calories than fat.
The more lean muscle you have, the higher your metabolism is. This means you burn more calories at rest when you are strength training, and even while you are sleeping, too. At Embody Fitness, our programmes include a mix of heavy weight, light weight, and bodyweight exercises, and each one is tailored to each particular client’s abilities and weight loss goals.
Compound movements combine elements of cardio and strength, and they are known for burning fat and aiding weight loss. Involving the whole body, and designed to engage multiple muscle groups at once, they simultaneously burn calories and boost muscle growth. Some examples of compound movements are doing burgess to bicep curls, and pushups to renegade rows.
At Embody Fitness, our workout programs combine cardio, strength, and compound movements to ensure you are shedding fat as quickly as possible, toning every muscle, and getting maximum benefit from every moment you spend in the gym.
Fitness classes come in all kinds of different forms. They can be cardio-based like spinning, dance-based like Zumba, consist of pure strength training, or combine elements of strength and cardio. Training as a group helps keep you accountable. It can inspire you to turn up for every class, and keep you trying your hardest throughout every second.
Working out with others can also make your exercise journey more fun and rewarding. You can celebrate each other’s triumphs, and support each other when things get tough. For instance, while Embody Fitness does not offer fitness classes, our 2-to-1 programmes let you embark on your weight loss journey with a friend, partner, family member, or colleague. Each session is varied and filled with learning opportunities. Plus, by sharing the cost with your workout partner, you get to experience the world-class training of Embody Fitness for half the normal rate.
As you can see, high-intensity interval training is not the only form of exercise that burns calories and encourages fat loss. For more ideas about how to mix up your fitness routine, banish unwanted fat, and create the body you’ve always wanted, just get in touch with our team of experienced personal trainers.
They will book you in for a free consultation and get you started on your weight loss journey immediately. Please fill in our enquiry form and we’ll get right back to you as soon as possible.
