According to Harvard experts
This workout really helps against belly fat
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Excess belly fat can be very damaging to our health. According to the health experts at Harvard Medical School, this form of training is particularly effective.
When asked what type of workouts are best for weight loss, most people would probably say cardio. They believe that we can lose the most weight by jogging etc. This is a widespread misconception, as researchers at the renowned Harvard Medical School confirm. Because especially when we have something that is dangerous to our health If you want to lose belly fat, another form of training is more effective: strength training.
Heart health, cancer + Co: Too much belly fat can be dangerous
Basically, it is important to understand that not every person who does not have model measurements is automatically unhealthy. Many more and, above all, more nuanced factors play a role than just the waist circumference. People have very different body shapes for genetic reasons, and there is no such thing as a “healthy” weight anyway. But thanks to some scientific studies We know that certain forms of fat storage are more often associated with various health problems. Too much visceral belly fat can cause, among other things, a higher risk of asthma, cardiovascular disease and various types of cancer.
This visceral fat contrasts with so-called subcutaneous fat, the deposits directly under the skin. Visceral fat lies deeper in the abdominal cavity, directly around the organs. It is therefore significantly more dangerous for our health than subcutaneous fat. According to the experts at Harvard Medical School, a rule of thumb to differentiate is that we can feel subcutaneous fat as “fat” between our fingers, while visceral fat is located deep in the abdominal cavity and is therefore intangible.
Where we are more likely to gain fat is also influenced by many different factors, including our genes, our hormonal balance and our age.
This is why strength training is so effective at losing fat
The researchers at the US Medical University recommend strength training to reduce visceral abdominal fat. And by that they don’t just mean abdominal exercises. Because visceral fat cannot be reduced through individual, targeted muscle exercises. Instead, a full-body workout helps, which burns as much fat as possible by activating large muscle groups, builds muscle mass and, over time, also stimulates calorie burning in resting mode.
So-called compound exercises are particularly effective. You train multiple body areas and large muscle groups at the same time. These include squats (especially in combination with weights), lunges, push-ups, jumping rope or kettlebell workouts.
Such strength training at least three times a week and additional exercise in everyday life, for example through sufficient running, as well as a balanced diet increase our chances of maintaining a healthy amount of fat – especially in the abdominal area.
Sources used: health.harvard.edu, fitforfun.de