Slow Burn Weight Training

Shauna Lake

Are you sick of trekking to aerobics class or sweating it out on the treadmill but still want to lose weight? In this Healthy Living report a growing number of svelte citizens are dumping the jumping and taking the slow-motion way to fitness. Skeptics say, not so fast.

Your blood's pumping and your body's racing. You've always been taught this is the best way to become a lean, mean exercise machine. Now stop.

"Nice and slowly."

Fitness expert Fred Hahn says we've got it all wrong. That the key to total fitness is simple: pump iron, period.

"The slow-burn strength training program works the muscles using a technique of very, very slow lifting of the weight," said fitness expert Frederick Hahn.

Fred's popular program consists of ten exercises that take a minute and a half each and get this, you do it just twice a week for a total of thirty minutes. Fred says this program is far from a walk in the park.

"You tax the cardiovascular system very heavily and that's why you don't need to do formal aerobics in order to improve cardiovascular health," he said.

Weight-lifting weight loss programs are all the rage. Millions visit Jorge Cruise's web site to pump their way to fitness in just 8 minutes a day.

"You do the workout in the morning and then you get the benefit of the muscle all throughout the day," Cruise said.

The benefit? Jorge says you lose weight because muscles burn calories even when at rest. So, do these workouts really work?

"I started right away losing weight," one advocate said.

"My cholesterol is way down," said another.

"I've increased my strength two, two-and-a-half fold," another advocated said.

While everyone knows cardiovascular health is important folks like Fred Hahn think his way is simpler, more effective and actually safer than traditional cardio machines.

"I would suggest that people do not use them because of the types of injuries they can cause," said fitness expert Fred Hahn.

"This is just preposterous."

Doctor Tim Church heads up the Cooper Institute-a leading national organization that studies exercise and health.

"Anything done wrong can lead to injury. and, if you really wanna injure yourself, go do some weight lifting wrong," Dr. Church said.

Doctor Church says, in order to stay healthy, you've got to move.

"Aerobic training is the best thing you can do for your heart," Dr. Church said.

Many exercise experts take a middle-of-the-road approach, saying that whether your goal is a stronger heart or a smaller waistline: balance is best.

"To cut out cardio, in my opinion, is not a good idea. A person needs a well rounded program," said fitness manager Brian Hammond.

Ok, it may be a weighty debate but iron-pumping patrons we spoke to say they've never felt better.

"My back doesn't hurt anymore," one person said.

"I feel a lot younger," another advocate said.

Without running themselves ragged.

If you want more information you can follow our Fresh Start 2 Fitness program. It focuses on strength training, cardio, flexibility and nutrition.

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