Go for the slow burn?
The other day, I read an interesting post on “slow burn” exercise over on Dr. Michael Eades’ (Protein Power) blog.
It’s an interesting concept. The idea is that what we generally attribute as “cardiovascular” fitness is really an increased ability to get oxygen into your muscle cells…so it’s actually “muscle” fitness that you’re improving.
I’ve ordered the book, but I’m tempted to give this a look. Of course, it may be difficult to do, since it looks like it would be relatively important to do this with a trainer, since part of this is really working to the point of muscle failure, which would imply the necessity of a spotter. And it may well involve specific equipment that you’d be unlikely to have at home.
One thing I do agree with: the importance of strength training. If you are trying to lose weight, then strength training is a big help, since additional muscle increases your metabolism 24×7. It also helps those of us who have to worry about osteoporosis.
I actually liked aerobic exercise (I know, I’m nuts). And I still would like to add walking back in, per the YOU! The Owner’s Manual exercise plan. But I may well experiment with this as a strength training component.
I WILL NEVER GIVE UP WEIGHT LIFTING. I’ve had suggestions, a few times, that since I am/was trying to lose weight, that I shouldn’t do strength training because it would cause me to be heavier (i.e., muscle vs. fat) but that’s just crazy talk. It has changed my body (for the better) more than any other form of activity.