Lynn Folsom, one of are great trainers here at GymIt, tells all of her clients to forget the scale and go by the jeans test—if the jeans fit better than what you are doing is working.
“Bodyweight alone is not a great indicator since if someone is training correctly they will put on muscle while reducing body fat so weight may not change much, but they will be healthier and fitter,” says Lynn. “Scales are where eating disorders are born. It really comes down to how you look and feel.”
The same holds true for the amount of weight being moved in the gym.
Sure if you’re training for World’s Strongest Man or for something sports-specific, you might need to keep adding weight. But if you’re looking to just add muscle or get lean or tone-up a bit, the number of pounds may be overrated, as this study shows.
“Using metabolic resistance training and circuit or intervals can really build muscle, improve conditioning and burn body fat all at the same time,” adds Lynn. “It really comes down to training hard—which means not resting 5 minutes between sets—and smart as opposed to how much you can lift.
“If you think the 70-pound dumbbell is too light, first make sure your form is correct, then cut rest time, then try that chest press on a stability ball and you may find out you can work your pecs just as hard with 35 or 40 pounds,” Lynn concludes.
In the end, it isn't how much you weigh or how much you lift. It really comes down to the healthier and fitter you are the better you'll look in your jeans by having reduced body fat and increased muscle mass.
Photo credit: Ambro
Tags: strength, muscle, fat loss, weightCommentsCurrently, there are no comments. Be the first to post one!Post CommentName
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