Weight Training Promotes Abdominal Fat Loss

Most health-related organizations, such as the American Heart Association, American College of Sports Medicine and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommend aerobic exercise for promoting metabolic health and weight control. Increasing evidence shows that weight training is an essential part of an exercise program. Weight training builds strength, but it also improves metabolic health and promotes fat loss.

East Carolina University researchers, led by Robert Hickner, showed that a weight-training workout cause marked increases in energy expenditure and fat use in lean and obese subjects. Weight training was particularly effective for mobilizing fat in the abdominal region. However, abdominal fat mobilization was greater in lean than obese people. Weight training increases energy expenditure and fat loss in lean and obese people, but a variety of approaches is best for promoting weight control.