Build Muscle and Burn Fat With A New Routine

Starting a new exercise routine? Finally going to get in shape - or get back in shape. Start off by planning a well-rounded routine to build muscle, burn fat, and increase cardiovascular health. Of course this is what your plan already is. But have you written down your plan? If you don't make a plan, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

A lot of people just get in and do an "intuitive" workout, and while that does work for some people who are tuned in to their bodies needs, most of us need a plan - or a map of how we are going to get from couch potato to gym stud. You probably thought you'd just go in and lift weights to build muscle - do some bench pressing and bicep curls, then jump on the treadmill and jog a while. If that's your plan, your plan sucks. If you are going to put the time in at the gym, make use of the time.

This time when you go back to the gym, try to include these three elements: Core Training, Effective Cardio, and Useful Weight Training.

Core training is something that most people, especially guys because it seems kind of girly - it's not. Core training can be hard-core (pun intended) and you want to train your core hard. There are so many exercises out there, so just do a search and find some exercises that you think you can do and start doing them. Don't worry about what you perceive other people are thinking about you. Don't worry if some guys look at you funny - they probably can't do it. Besides, are you there to impress them? If you are, you have some mental exercises you need to work on too.

Effective cardio is what you need to do - not just jump on the treadmill and run for a half hour - you can do that outside and get fresh air. If you are going to use the machines - push yourself. Get on the stair-climber and push yourself, or do 30-second sprints on the treadmill, jog for 2 minutes, then do sprints again. Don't just go along at a comfortable pace when doing cardio whether indoors or outside. Unless you are training to be a long distance runner, make your cardio about pushing up your heart rate and expanding your lungs - this is what is going to get you to a better resting heart hear and an increased metabolism (your fat furnace will be burning strong).

Useful weight training means training so that you are going to build muscle that is balanced. Again, unless you are training for something special, like a specific sport, you do not have to concentrate a ton on things like your chest or biceps. Balance it out and be strong all over. Make sure you pay attention to your legs too. So many people skip them and end up with a big upper body and chicken legs - it really is funny to notice in the gym. Another thing is concentrating on your abs. Until you have a low fat content don't focus much time on ab specific exercises because you won't see your abs till you lose the fat. Doing your core exercises will take care of all the abdominal exercises you need.

Okay, that's it. Make a plan, do effective exercising, stick to it and you will start seeing great results in no time flat. Build muscle, burn fat, and be healthy.