Is “Cardio” Really the Best Way to Burn Fat?

I'm sure everything you've ever read or heard has confirmed to you that “cardio” is the best exercise to burn fat and lose weight. After all, most fitness “experts” have told us that, right? Is that really the best way to get lean and in great shape?

I believe the answer is a resounding NO. At least not “traditional” cardio, which I'll get into in a minute. You may be surprised to learn that some of the most well conditioned, leanest people never do any type of traditional cardio. Listen, I've seen it all. I'm a former NFL football player for the Minnesota Vikings and I've been around athletes and gyms for about 30 years. So let me try to set the record straight.

There is a better type of exercise that gets you all the cardio you need, plus builds lean muscle, which stimulates your metabolism, which turns your body into a fat burning machine. I'm talking about strength training exercises that work the major muscle groups and use full body range of motion. Things like squats, lunges, clean and press, shoulder presses, pull ups, etc.

Before I get into this any further let's examine exactly what “cardio” actually is. Most people assume cardio is working out on a treadmill, elliptical machine, or stationary bike. And that would be considered normal, or traditional cardio. But cardio is really any type of exercise that strengthens the cardiovascular system. Basically, if whatever exercise you're doing increases your heart rate, and gets you breathing hard, then it can be considered cardio. It doesn't matter if you're doing an exercise with a barbell and it's normally considered “strength training”, if you're working your heart, then it's also considered cardio.

Let's consider an example. We'll look and the clean and press. This exercise is accomplished by lifting a barbell off the floor, up to your chest, and then pressing it overhead. Now for my female readers who may be thinking this is an exercise for guys, not ladies, it doesn't matter how much weight you're lifting. If 30 or 40 pounds is difficult for you, then it's just as effective for you as the guy who can lift 250 pounds.

Now most people consider the clean and press to be 100% a strength training or weight training exercise. But think about this for a minute. Consider doing an intense set of 10 to 15 repetitions, with a weight that is difficult for you. I can guarantee you that your heart is going to be pounding and you will be breathing extremely hard. Isn't that the definition of cardio?

How about a few minutes straight of body weight only pushups, lunges or squats? Again, I can assure you that your heart will be pounding, your muscles will be burning and you'll be breathing like you just sprinted for 200 meters. And by the way, now that I mentioned it, sprinting blows jogging out of the water when it comes to burning fat.

I could go on and on with similar type exercises that are considered weight training only. But these workouts also provide you with an excellent method of getting a great cardio workout. So you're saving some serious time by combining both your cardio and strength training in the same workout.

Now there is one additional, very important benefit that these full body strength/resistance training exercises do for you that traditional cardio does not. You are conditioning and strengthening almost every muscle in your body. And by building lean muscle you are creating a fat burning machine. Additional lean muscle that is developed increases your body's metabolism, which in turn burns body fat more efficiently. It especially burns that stubborn belly fat that seems so impossible to get rid of.
And, you are toning and firming up your body, which makes you look and feel a lot better.

This cannot be said for traditional cardio exercises. Which by the way, if you are able to watch TV or read a book (treadmill, stationary bike) while you're working out, then you're probably not working out hard enough to achieve any measurable benefits.

So does that make any sense? Do you understand now why you haven't really seen much improvement with that traditional cardio workout you've been doing? I hope I've helped to open your mind up and are you're willing to give this a shot.

I encourage you to stop doing what hasn't been working for you. Give this method a chance. I'm certain you'll see dramatic improvement within a very short period of time.

My name is Rick Fenney. I'm a former NFL football player for the Minnesota Vikings. As a professional athlete, fitness is my passion. I'd like to share my knowledge and experience with you.

If you're ready to cut through all the bull and get straight to the honest answers about exactly how to lose weight and burn fat to get a truly lean and healthy body and keep that for the rest of your life (and of course get those six pack abs that everybody wants!), then check out Lose Fat From Belly