Explosive concentric muscle contractions just might be the key to achieving optimal weight loss, according to a study recently published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. It turns out that more rapid muscle contractions use more energy than slow contractions - even when the amount of weight lifted is identical - thus increasing strength training's weight-loss benefits. Explosive contractions were also shown to be more effective at increasing energy expenditure when subjects used moderate weight loads as opposed to heavy loads.
In the gym: Pick up your repetition tempo occasionally to stoke the fat-burning fire.
