The Daily Turn On! Feel Pain to See Gain in Metabolic Rate

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Warning: This post may change the way you work out in the gym forever! A recent article in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research shows the results of a study where individuals who worked out with weights, taking one second in the concentric or contracting phase of a "lift," such as in a bicep curl, but slowed down their eccentric or extension phase of the motion to THREE seconds, experienced a faster metabolic rate for up to 72 hours following their workout as compared to "normal lifters." Study participants with normal lifting behavior, executing one second "up" and one second "down" lifts, experienced a much shorter time span for an elevated metabolic burn! Why?

Those who took longer extending weights away from the body with a very slow motion were more sore than their "one second" up and down counterparts. And being more sore equates to an elevated metabolic rate as the body is working very hard to repair damaged tissues. Remember, when you work out with weights, you are purposefully breaking down muscle fibers so they will rebuild to become stronger. The slower extension of weights caused the most stress on muscles and in turn, had the most gain with cranking up the ol' metabolism!

Oh, and if you think spending all that time on the treadmill or elipitical will be just as effective, think again. Yes, you'll burn calories during that cardio workout while you are sweating bullets, however, things slow down much more quickly in the metabolic department as compared to when you are dedicating quality time to your muscles. In a typical cardio workout muscles are not as challenged or broken down as they are when you hit the weights.

This week, hit the gym at least three days and turn up and turn on your metabolism by slowing down those weight extensions!

*Want to know which exercise would be the best for you to do in order to burn off last night's splurge of creme brulee"? Check out AOL Health's "Exercise Estimator" to find out!