In Health with Dr. Brian: Why High Intensity Exercise is Best for Weight Loss

There’s a lot of options when it comes to exercise and “what’s best.”

I believe the best exercise program for weight loss is the one that you’re going to do most consistently. However, assuming you’re ready to show up to exercise consistently, what’s next?

High-intensity workouts can offer several advantages when it comes to shedding those extra pounds. Here are three compelling reasons why high-intensity exercise is a superior choice for weight loss:

1. Increased Calorie Burn

High-intensity exercise, such as interval training or HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training), demands a significant amount of energy in a short period of time. This results in a substantial calorie burn during and even after your workout. Studies have shown that high-intensity workouts can elevate your metabolism for hours post-exercise, leading to a greater total calorie expenditure compared to moderate-intensity exercises. This means you can continue to burn calories long after you’ve finished your workout, making it an efficient choice for weight loss.

2. Time Efficiency

In today’s fast-paced world, finding time for exercise can be challenging. High-intensity workouts offer a time-efficient solution. These workouts are typically shorter in duration but pack a powerful punch. With just 20-30 minutes of high-intensity exercise, you can achieve the same or even better results in terms of calorie burn and fat loss as you would with longer, moderate-intensity workouts. This time-saving aspect makes high-intensity exercise a practical choice for
individuals with busy schedules.

3. Improved Fat Loss

High-intensity exercise not only burns more calories but also helps target fat loss more effectively. Research suggests that high-intensity workouts stimulate the release of hormones like adrenaline and growth hormone, which play a key role in breaking down stored fat for energy. Additionally, the intense nature of these workouts promotes muscle development, and muscle tissue burns more calories at rest than fat tissue. This means that over time, high-intensity exercise can lead to a leaner body composition, making it easier to maintain weight loss.

If your goal is to lose weight efficiently and effectively, high-intensity exercise is a strategy worth considering. Its ability to increase calorie burn, save time, and promote fat loss sets it apart as a powerful tool in your weight loss journey. Incorporating high-intensity workouts into your fitness routine, along with a balanced diet, can yield impressive results.

 

Dr. Brian Strump is a chiropractor and owner of Live Active Charlotte, a CrossFit/functional fitness gym located in the Steele Creek area of Charlotte.

If you’re interested in making a change in your health or simply have questions, you can learn more about Brian and his staff by visiting: liveactiveclt.com 

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