We at Fitness Together have made it our mission for the lasttwo years to transform San Antonio from the fattest city tothe fittest city. The most effective approach to this goal is individualattention and training that accommodates just how diverse we allare. By working on resistance training, core strength, flexibility andcardiovascular training, we can create the most direct path to a fitand healthy lifestyle. Most people tend to focus on only one of theseareas, failing to harness the most appropriate formula of routine. Inregards to cardio, some people just want to get active, while othersare diehard treadmill addicts.
While most people know thehealth benefits of cardiovascularexercise, very few understand thescience behind it well enough tobegin an appropriate program thatwill maximize their fat–burning efficiencyand lead them directly totheir desired results.
This program is entirely basedon your heart rate, the most precisemethod of measuring your intensityduring exercise. Many programsin the fitness industry use perceived exertion to determine yourintensity, which is not as accurate since factors such as your age,health background, and exercise history form a unique combination.Your workout plan should reflect your unique needs, and personaltraining centers (such as Fitness Together) can provide youwith research–based plans tailored to your individual needs.
The most effective programs are those based on your FatThreshold (FT), the intensity level at which the body is no longerburning fat as fuel. The Fat Threshold varies from person to person,and activity to activity. It is a dynamic number and will change to reflectyour level of fitness, which makes it an extremely reliable wayto track your improvement.
After determining your Fat Threshold, the workouts should targetspecific heart rate zones to increase your body’s ability to utilizefat more efficiently as a fuel source. The workouts last at least 30minutes since the body increases the amount of fat used for fuel astime goes on during aerobic exercise, thus increasing your fat loss.
Lower intensity exercises use fat for energy, while higher intensityworkouts rely on sugar/carbohydrates for energy.
Many people work out at too great an intensity to develop theirfat–burning potential, and don’t see lasting results. When you workout too hard, your body will rely on its sugar reserves containedin the muscles and liver. At your next meal, the body immediatelyreplenishes the storage, which is apart of its normal cycle. This createsan endless weight loss battle and accountsfor why individuals will continuouslyexercise hard without losingweight, sometimes referred to as“sugar burning.” However, when thebody utilizes fat for fuel, it will notreplenish its fat storage unless toomany calories are put back into thebody by overeating.
While the primary benefitof personal training (such as withFitness Together) is helping you manage your weight more effectively,other benefits include strengthening your heart, reducingyour risk of heart disease and decreasing your blood pressure, allleading you towards a healthier lifestyle.
