When people exercise to lose weight, they often emphasize cardiovascular activities such as running, speed walking, stair-stepping or aerobics. However, doing body sculpting can also help you burn calories and get fit. You can do body sculpting using anything that provides resistance, including dumbbells, hand weights, resistance bands or machines that apply resistance. You can also use your own body in strength training, doing intensive floor exercises.
Function
Body sculpting, also known as weight training, does not just build muscle. According to Mayo Clinic.com's guide to strength training, when you gain muscle tissue, your body burns calories more efficiently. In essence, your body works harder to help your muscles grow, burning calories in the process.
Benefits
Weight loss is one of many benefits of body sculpting. Depending upon the duration, frequency and intensity of your strengthening workout, you can also strengthen bones, prevent injury, boost energy and manage pain and chronic conditions.
Expert Insight
The Harvard School of Public Health's guide to staying active points out that people should do body sculpting for a minimum of two sessions per week. In particular, older people can use strength training to help regain some of the muscle mass that decreases with age.
Features
Bob Greene, the fitness expert who designed Oprah Winfrey's boot camp fitness regimen, has several recommendations in regard to body sculpting. He advises six 20-minute sessions using dumbbells, every week. Target different muscle groups on alternating days, such as upper body versus lower body. In addition, spend two sessions per week on intense floor exercises and calisthenics that build strength, such as push-ups, squats, lunges, pull-ups, bicep curls, tricep dips, abdominal crunches and lateral raises.
Warning
People new to exercise or strength training may need extra information to ensure they approach body sculpting wisely and maintain proper form. Talk with your doctor or join a body sculpting class at a local recreation center to get the basics. If you want a more customized plan, a licensed exercise physiologist or a personal trainer can work with you for initial sessions before you exercise independently.
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