High Reps Don’t Burn Fat- By Kevin Richardson, NYC Personal Trainer

The general belief is that by increasing the number of repetitions of a particular exercise performed, you will increase your overall weight loss. This is not at all true. Fat requires oxygen to burn, and the extra 20-30 seconds of an increased set duration is not enough to stimulate significant fat burn. In fact, by decreasing intensity in exchange for extra repetitions, it is possible to burn less fat.

Most people believe fervently that to lose weight and burn fat, they need to focus on doing more repetitions. Sets of at least 20 or more reps in an attempt to somehow stimulate fat loss. The truth is that this does not work. It is physiologically impossible to burn fat doing weight training sets that last as short as a set does, even if you do a hundred repetitions. What you will do however is significantly decrease your overall workout intensity, which will then decrease any potential muscle gain from your workout, and since we know that the more muscle you have the less fat your body will store, so in the long run high rep only routines will work against your fat loss goals.

Not that high repetitions should not be included in a workout regime, on the contrary, with high intensity training, you need both higher and lower rep schemes, but the focus is always on stimulating the muscle to the point of exhaustion to increase muscle mass, not to try to reduce fat levels. That comes as a secondary effect with the increased metabolism from the added muscle mass that you gain from your workouts.

Bottom line, high reps for fat burning and weight loss is a tried and true myth!

Information contained in this article is not meant to treat, diagnose illness, nor substitute for medical counsel and is intended for purposes of information and education only. Consult your physician before modifying your diet or starting any exercise program. Copyright 2009 by Kevin Richardson, Naturally Intense NYC Personal Trainer.

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