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Owner's Corner

The Max Over-Load Principleť

Today we are going to look at two age old theories:

What if you want to burn more calories, lose fat, get ripped and increase muscle?

I would like to introduce what I call the Max-Overload Principleť. This is the concept of using heavy weights or resistance for a limited number of repetitions (4-6) increasing strength and muscle gains well at the same time burning more calories and shedding pounds.

Let’s think for a minute; Does it take more energy to bench press 50 lbs or 350 lbs?

So the more energy expelled, the more calories burned. Therefore that heavier weight is helping you shed pounds which increase the ability for your muscle tone to stand out. We all have perfect muscle tone; it is just a matter of shedding the fat covering it.

Now using the heavier weight will also increase your strength and muscle/mass gains. So have we not just addressed all our concerns?

Let me give you a few simple facts.

Using heavier weights is a form of anaerobic exercise, meaning short term, high intensity, without oxygen. The temporary oxygen shortage triggers lactic acid. These processes promote the release of natural Human Growth Hormone, which in return releases fatty acids into your blood stream to be burned away.

You will continue to burn calories hours after the work out session is over. Why? Your metabolism will continue to be accelerated for added time. I have used this principle myself for years and found an increase in strength while reducing my body fat and still obtaining solid muscle tone.

So, I would argue that the Max Over-Load Principle should be added to everyone's training routine.

However, there is no single principle, exercise routine or piece of equipment that does it all.

The statistics show that you must cross train and change your routines to create muscle confusion for constant improvements and success. So use weight training, kettle bells, treadmill, ellipticals, TRX suspension training, Spinning, Pilates, Yoga, Zumba, Aerobics, log presses, tire flips, sand bag training and all the other things we offer here at Fitness One!

Now I do have some actually training routines that implement the Max Over-Load Principles and if you are interested in them, feel free to contact me.

You do not have to be a member of the gym. Fitness One has a passion for fitness and a desire to see every one reach their goals and is happy to share whatever we can with those who are trying to succeed.

Thirty two years in the industry and this passion still burns strong and is the reason we remain the Leader in Fitness and always on the cutting edge of fitness.

Chris Carusso
President/Fitness One

" In order to be a champion, you must be willing to sacrifice more than your challenger ever dreamed of sacrificing"