Losing body fat through high intensity interval training or HIIT is a method that was widely popularized by a Japanese scientist, Izumi Tabata. Dr. Tabata found that by replacing the recommended 1-hour-moderate intensity exercise session with 4 minutes of high intensity exercise, clients burned fat for up to 48 hours after. CrossFit, developed by gymnastics coach Greg Glassman, expands Dr. Tabata's concepts to include full-body exercises. Combining Crossfit with a simple, natural supplement will help burn through body fat fast.
History
Former gymnast, Greg Glassman, started Crossfit in the 1970s in response to his disgust over the average training program. He sought to take his gymnastics training knowledge and apply it to a more general crowd, helping them to reach and define new levels of fitness. Since its genesis, Glassman has managed to start a free, open-source website that gives the world free training programs.
Method
Crossfit uses a method that's known in the fitness world as undulating periodization. Instead of the usual program that consists of slowly adding weight and load over a period of months, the undulating method switches exercise styles daily. For example, Monday may consist of 180 lb. squats for 12 sets followed by sprints and 100 chin-ups as quickly as possible on Tuesday.
The Facts
Muscle tissue is made of several different types of fibers that respond to different stimuli. While some are activated during fast, explosive motions like jumping, others are most active during prolonged, low-intensity exercises like holding a squat for a couple of minutes. The undulating method activates all of these fibers regularly, which keeps them all using energy most of the time.
Fish Oil
Fish oil remains one of the best supplements for overall health, fat reduction, muscle mass improvement and stress hormone reduction. According to a 1996 study conducted by the Department of Health Sciences at Gettysburg College, participants who consumed 1600 mg. of eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA and 800 mg. of docosahexaenoic acid or DHA a day had lower body fat than those who did not. EPA and DHA are the Omega-3 fatty acids that have been credited as the cause of positive change from supplemental fish oil. Additionally, these participants had lower levels of cortisol, a hormone commonly associated with stress.
References
- PubMed Central: Effects of moderate-intensity endurance and high-intensity intermittent training on anaerobic capacity and VO2max.
- CrossFit: Forging Elite Fitness
- History of CrossFit
- PubMed Central: Effects of supplemental fish oil on resting metabolic rate, body composition, and salivary cortisol in healthy adults.
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