Lose Weight Faster
Combine weights and cardio into one workout
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You're probably used to doing cardio and weight workouts separately, and that's fine. But doing both in the same session raises your metabolism and gives you an extra day to recover, since you won't need to go back the next day to do the other workout. Jim Smith, C.S.C.S., a strength coach in Sayre, Pa., offers three ways to set up a highly effective all-inclusive workout.
1.) TRY CARDIO BETWEEN SETS
Go about your weight workout as normal but instead of resting between sets, perform light cardio such as jumping rope, doing jumping jacks, or hitting a heavy bag for between 60 and 90 seconds.
2.) ALTERNATE INTERVALS
Perform a set and then do some highly intense activity for 15 seconds, followed by a 45-second easy bout for recovery. Then go back to the weights for another set. You can pair your lifting with any kind of cardio — a treadmill sprint, intervals on an exercise bike, or with a jump rope, etc.
3.) TRY A CIRCUIT
Start with compound movements, followed by isolation lifts. For instance, do a squat, followed by a lunge, hamstring curl, and leg extension. Do not rest until after the last exercise and then rest two to three minutes. You'll get an awesome pump while burning lots of calories.
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