New evidence is out that suggests explosive — or faster — muscle contractions use more energy than slow contractions, even when the amount of weight lifted is the same.
What does this mean? Well, more energy used equals more calories burned, so you can increase weight loss from exercise by adding accelerated reps into your existing routine. For example, when doing squats, lower yourself down to the squat position slowly and then quickly raise yourself back up. Even better? Try jump squats.
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Fit Tip: Add Accelerated Reps
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Good to know. I was always told the slower you do it, the resistance is what is best for you. Guess not!
1I want arms like tht...
2Love her arms
3Mine kinda almsot look like that wehn i am all pumped up!
Wow her arms are crazy. I saw a chick like that at the gym the other day. I was blown away by how amazing she looked.
4I'll try this out though. My only concern is to tell people to still be very careful. Quick movements can often result in injuries, so still be Controlled!
LOL, I have arms like that. I do a lot of pushups and curls and rows. I must say, I do the varied rep speeds...I usually do one set fast and one set slow, then I repeat that sequence. It really works!
5Faster reps may allow you to do more reps and in theory burn more calories, but you also end up using more momentum that muscle contraction. Slower reps allow you to practice good form (and prevent injury like Renees3 implied) and work the muscle harder, bringing it to fatigue quicker. The harder you work a muscle, the more muscle mass you build, and you will burn more fat- even long after your workout- as a result. In the long run, slower reps are usually better.
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