Metabolic Conditioning Workouts For Beginners
Let’s just start by discussing the basic principles of metabolic conditioning. Now you may have already heard about metabolic conditioning workouts or perhaps you’ve even tried a few of them. In short, metabolic conditioning is a workout that is designed to maximize the amount of calories you burn both during your workout session and for quite some time afterwards.
Metabolic conditioning workouts, or Metcon for short, are total body workouts that are interval based for maximum burn. If you’ve ever spent an hour at the gym and barely broken a sweat you may be of the mind that you can handle anything. If that’s the case get ready to feel sweat pouring from every single pore in your body. At the end of your session you will be saturated and sore, but you’ll be feeling pretty invincible too.
If you want to break the boredom of your repetitive and dull workout routine and crank it up to turn your body into a calorie burning machine, then this ultimate guide to metabolic conditioning workouts will help you decide on the best ones for you.
Most Sessions Average About 20 Minutes
Yes, you read that right. Most Metcon workout sessions average about 20 minutes. Now if you’ve been a gym junkie for years, spending at least an hour each session, you’re probably thinking that 20 minutes is not enough time for a proper workout. Metcon consists of a series of exercises performed in quick but short sequences. These exercises are pretty intense and will really get your heart pumping and your muscles burning. In principle, you’ll be doing each exercise in your set for about 60 seconds before quickly moving on to the next exercise. Sounds simple enough, but the exercises are pretty intense so you will be sweating right through your workout underwear, your gym shorts and any other piece of clothing you’re wearing.
You Don’t Need To Hit The Gym Everyday
Metabolic conditioning training is so intense and effective you won’t have to commit to showing up at the gym every single day. You can increase your metabolic output, get stronger and leaner by engaging in a Metcon workout just 3 times per week. You can still exercise during the rest of the week, but you can choose something a little less strenuous like walking or cycling. You can even modify your exercises with a little resistance. Weighted vests will force you to work harder but you can also use machines like treadmills, rowing machines, etc.
Metcon Routines Are Pretty Flexible
Metabolic Conditioning workouts are not a one-size-fits-all routine. There are routines for beginners to pros and anyone in between. They can also be tailored to your specific type of sport such as boxing or MMA fighting or any other type of sport. There are no hard or fast rules as to what you can or can’t do so you will have no trouble finding a routine that is perfect for you. What’s more, you can change your routine as often as you need to so that you won’t get bored. Plus, you can also target different muscle groups to get your whole body sculptured.
CrossFit And HIIT Are In
The beauty of metabolic conditioning is that it is not just one type of workout. There are so many different programs and exercises you can incorporate into a Metcon session. That includes HIIT, or high intensity interval training and CrossFit. Your local gym may have a specific timetable that incorporates a number of different types of workouts, but even if it doesn’t, you can very easily put together your own routine so that you never have to miss a workout.
You Don’t Need A Lot Of Equipment
Truth told, you can get away with doing Metcon workouts with no equipment at all if you need to. However, it would be good to have a few essential pieces of gear such as CrossFit shoes or something similar as long as they can be worn for condition training.
If you don’t want to have a whole lot of equipment lying around, just get some basic pieces such as dumbbells and a medicine ball. If you’re feeling really enthusiastic a kettlebell would be great too. If you prefer to workout at your local gym then equipment shouldn’t be a problem for you. Assault bikes are ideal for Metcon workouts because you can alter the intensity and change your position to work different muscles and battle ropes will really get your upper body burning fat cells. Put on your CrossFit gloves and get those ropes moving and shaking.
You Can Lose Weight Fast
If you need to lose weight fast but find dieting a challenge, then metabolic conditioning workouts may be a dream come true for you. The short but sharp bursts of exercises and repetitions engage large muscles groups which tend to burn the most calories. In fact, you could burn up to 500 calories in a 20 or 30 minute session.
It’s Great For Bulking Up
We all know that one person, or we may even be that person, who never puts on weight no matter how much food is consumed. Some of these people even go to the gym but never see any changes to their skinny, scrawny physique. Metcon may be the answer to the bulk up a little. Because all muscle groups are used at a high intensity they will inevitably become bulkier and because muscles weigh more than fat, you can put on a bit of weight and have nice firm muscles too.
Metcon Is Great For All Levels
You don’t need to be in a peak physical condition to reap the benefits of metabolic conditioning workouts. You simply choose a set of reps that you feel comfortable with and you’re ready to begin. Even if you’ve never really exercised before, you’ll still be able to get though a session because you simply do the exercises you are comfortable with at your own pace. With each passing session you’ll find yourself able to do more and engage in more challenging workouts. As long as you are improving week after week, you are succeeding at metabolic conditioning workouts.
You’ll Get To Enjoy Carbs Again
Before you get excited, enjoying carbs does not mean you can go out and gorge yourself on pizza, beer, hamburgers and chips. You’ll still need to eat a relatively healthy diet to reap the benefits of Metcon workouts. However, as metabolic conditioning workouts will turn your body into a calorie burning machine, you will be able to enjoy carbs again in the form of rice, potatoes and pasta … in moderation of course. Combine these carbs with lots of fresh salads, fruits and vegetable and you’ll give your body all the natural energy it needs. Go ahead and enjoy the pizza, just don’t eat it too often.
It’s time to stop making excuses and get into action. Metabolic conditioning workouts are not difficult to execute, but that doesn’t mean you’ll find them easy. You’re certain to be able to find 20 minutes a few times a week but even if you find this difficult at first try 10 minute sessions and work your way up to 20 or 30 minutes gradually. Once you start and see the results, you’ll be hooked.
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