Sprint Your Way to a Lean Body

If you're really serious about losing that extra layer of fat you should consider doing a little sprinting. Do not jog. For the love of God do not jog. Jogging, or doing any low-level cardio activity, is rather counterproductive for fat loss. Jogging does technically burn more fat during the exercise than does sprinting but in the long run sprinting kicks jogging's ass by a long shot.

Here's why.

Jogging only activates your type 1 muscle fibers. These are your endurance muscles. They are the muscles you use while you walk or jog at a slow pace. They have very limited potential for growth and do not burn a lot of energy while at rest. In other words, they don't get very big and they don't burn fat while you're sitting on your lazy ass. Once you get of the treadmill, you're done burning fat.

Sprinting activates your type 2 muscle fibers. These are your badass, lift a heavy car, dunk a basketball, punch someone in the face muscle fibers. They are the muscle fibers you use when you do any strenuous activity. Unlike type 1 fibers, they do burn a lot of energy. Even when you're watching TV. After your done with your sprinting workout, you're metabolism is kicked into overdrive for 24-48 hours. This is because your body is adapting by replacing damaged muscle cells.

Jogging does nothing like this. In fact you actually lose muscle mass while jogging. Just think of the emaciated look of a long distance runner and the lean muscular body of a sprinter like Usain Bolt. They are miles apart in terms of body composition. Really, who would you rather look like?

Sprinting gives a bigger bang for your buck. When you workout, think intensity not endurance.