Customize Your Workout

As a top trainer and health enthusiast of eighteen years, people often ask me the most effective ways of training. Whether it's through boot camp classes, taking Pilates, spin or just good old, weight lifting, I have put together a description of each, allowing you to choose which one works best for you.

SPIN: Taking a spin class has become more and more popular these days. Mostly done in a class setting, "spinning" utilizes a stationary bike to perform vigorous routines through resistance, controlled by the rider. It's a great way to burn crazy calories and get your sweat on, all set to a disco-infused light/music playing atmosphere.

BOOT CAMP: This vigorous class is sure to get your heart rate up, testing your stamina/endurance and resistance training. Usually taught in a class of 15 to 25 participants, the fitness instructor will have a variety of different workout stations laid out, challenging the class with different exercises. Classes run on average of about an hour and each will target either specific muscles, or multi-muscle groups firing off at the same time.

The idea is to use light weight, high reps and short rest periods of 25 to 30 seconds. I suggest making sure to "go at your own pace" and take a bottle of water with you. It's hard not to feel intimidated and some competitiveness when working within a boot camp class, so allow your body to transition slowly. That way, injuries will be far less likely than if you push yourself farther than your body is ready, or able to handle.

PILATES: This form of exercise is great for firming, building and toning your muscles. Taken as a class, or one-on-one with an instructor, Pilates uses the weight of your body and cables to provide resistance to perform each of the exercises. It's hugely popular with woman, but men should definitely not shy away from it, as it will enhance muscle separation and definition.

WEIGHT LIFTING: People can either lift weights on their own, with a workout buddy or hire a fitness trainer. It's mostly done through the use of machines, free weights and or cables. Women tend to shy away from weight lifting, due to the stereotypical belief that "weight training adds size and bulk." The statement isn't all that off, though it really comes down to how much weight you're lifting, and how many repetitions you perform in each set.

Though resistance can be a part of boot camp, Pilates and spin classes, there is something said for doing good, old fashion weight training. Weight lifting is great for adding bone density, which is crucial as we get older.

Whether done to build bulk or to tone, weight lifting is complete muscle isolation using dead weights. This form of building, creates density in the bones, helping to avoid weak and fragile skeleton structures.

What I love about weight training, personally, is that even after you're done with your workout, you continue to burn fat calories at a faster rate hours later than if you perform cardio. Why? Because when you lift weights, you tear down muscle fibers, as you rest those fibers, they mend themselves, firming and getting stronger. The amount of energy it takes for those muscles fibers to do so, accelerates the metabolism and helps you to burn calories continuously.

In the end, it all comes down to balance, so I suggest weight training in correlation with other classes, ideally. Working out four to five days a week and combining multiple regimes will ensure that you reach your fitness goals. Along the way, you will establish good bone density, body symmetry and will burn the most calories possible. Plus, periodically switching things up by taking different classes, will prevent you from getting bored and add to the fun of working out.

Check out Aaron Savvy's website at aaronsavvy.com