Are you a runner? Do you get up every morning and go
for a ten mile run? Or maybe you just go to the gym
every day and jog on the treadmill for hours. Are
you tired of waiting for results?
Well it is about
time you learned the truth. Long, boring cardio
sessions are NOT the most effective way to get rid
of belly fat. As far as I am concerned, no type of
"workout" where you can be having a conversation
while reading a magazine while watching television,
is an effective workout.
Plus, its boring! Not only that, but it could
actually be detrimental to your body. Research has
shown that long stints of cardio actually increases
free radical production in the body, can degenerate
joints, reduces immune function, causes muscle
wasting, and can cause a pro-inflammatory response
in the body that can potentially lead to chronic
diseases.
So, now you are probably wondering, what is a
better alternative? Well it is right there in the
title! Sprinting is possibly the most effective form
of cardio, even though it is an anaerobic form of
exercise. Plus, it does not take up hours of your
time!
Just as a simple proof, take a look at Olympic
long distance runners vs. sprinters. The long
distance runners are emaciated, weak, and almost
sickly looking in some cases. Honestly, I think
you'll agree that this is not a very healthy look.
Now, look at the sprinters. These guys are strong,
muscular, and healthy looking. Their muscles bulge
and ripple with every step they take. They often
have even lower body fat percentages than long
distance runners but with twice the lean muscle.
That is the kind of body we all strive for!
Sprinting actually accomplishes two things at
once. While it is true that it does not match long
distance jogging in the amount of calories burned
(depending on the time spent doing each), it does do
something equally important. It burns a lot of fat,
yet it also builds muscle at the same time! Doing
cardio for a long duration and distance builds no
muscle and may actually deplete some of your muscle
because long distance running can cause a catabolic
state in your body
Our bodies are meant to do interval, stop and go
type of activity. Just look at most animals. Look at
most of the activities we do and most of the sports
we play. It is natural that we should also train
like that.
A simple sprinting workout could look something
like this: do approximately 5-10 sixty to one
hundred yard sprints. Obviously the amount and the
length can and should be adjusted according to your
personal ability. So get out to the park and start
doing sprints 2-3 times per week, and watch your
body start getting leaner and more ripped!
