Methods To Speed Up Metabolism

When it comes to finding a way to speed up metabolism most people think that doing cardio or high to mid-level aerobic exercise is the way to go. While these are indeed great ways to speed up metabolism there is another way that most people in the mainstream of exercise and fitness seem to miss; strength training. Yep, that’s right, good old fashioned weight lifting is a great way to boost metabolism. 

So why does resistance or weight training help speed up metabolism? The reason is simple. The more lean muscle mass one has the more calories are needed to maintain that muscle mass. If one adds five pounds of lean muscle mass to their body the body will require additional calories to maintain that additional muscle mass at its new size and weight increasing the basal metabolism rate. These excess calories required to maintain new lean muscle mass come in two forms. The first is the food we eat and the second when the body metabolizes stored fat. This simply means the more lean muscle one’s body possesses the more calories they burn while at rest. This helps explain why fitness models look the way they do. Their bodies are optimum calorie burning machines because of the amount of lean muscle they possess. 

The process of lifting weights causes the muscles to actually break down. What happens next is the reason for a speed up in metabolism. After the muscle is broken down the body compensates by building more muscle to try and keep the muscle from breaking down again. The body needs the extra energy from burning excess calories to build new and bigger muscles. So lifting weights burns calories and speeds up metabolism not only during the weight lifting workout but also after while the body builds bigger and stronger muscles. 

If one is to get the maximum effect from lifting weights it must be done correctly and at regular intervals. Going to the gym once a week will not bring the kind of results talked about. Building muscle takes time and dedication but the end result will be a better body image and a natural increase in metabolism.