Weight loss is a fairly simple formula. It’s a matter of how much you eat and how much you move. Those two, when maximized, are bound to yield results. The problem is that those ideas can be too broad. There is so much to fit in those two concepts that it can be a bit confusing. Do you need to go to the gym? Do you need to use kettlebells? Is there a perfect ratio of protein and carbs? Aren’t carbs the devil? To simplify things, it’s always best to go the route that makes the most sense. The least complex and the most enjoyable means to a goal is always going to be better, by consistency. Fortunately, for us, that means whole-body workouts. Here are some of the most effective by far.
Bodyweight Routines
The most accessible whole-body workout routines are bodyweight exercises. Bodyweight exercises turn your mass into a full gym. It’s the easiest to get started with and often the most difficult to master. The grand upside of using your body weight as a workout tool is that you get supersede mastery of your stabilizer muscles. In physiology, you have the active mover of a movement and supporting stability. That support is everything in bodyweight routines. A great example of this is Barre workouts. When you do a Barre workout, you’re mimicking the movements of a dancer. Because of this, the most effective barre exercises for losing weight, become those which follow the patterns of movement meant to keep a dancer stable. This ultimately takes a lot of core work, leg strength, and shoulder mobility. These also happen to be things your average gym-goer tends to ignore.
Big 3
Big three powerlifting routines have been popular since the 1970s. It is the basis for so many routines and still comprise the core of every effective exercise plan. The big 3 are squat, bench, and deadlift. Using these three with sufficient weight and consistency will work the most amount of muscles without having to do 50 step HIIT routines. These are the barebones basics of strength. With a targeted diet, the increase in muscle mass will be sure to increase metabolism and cut through the fat.
Road Work
Never underestimate traditional cardio. As much as we like to turn everything into a matter of “running is useless” on the internet, that simply isn’t true. You look at a boxer hitting the pads, doing crazy drills, practicing hand-eye coordination. None of that gets done until they put in the road work. This means miles and miles of running. For our goals, it is no different. Put in that road work. Turn your body into an efficient machine, both in HIIT (anaerobic) and steady-state cardio (aerobic). This makes sure that you cover your bases for fat loss.
There is no one answer to losing weight. It’s always a combination of things over time. The best thing you can do is keep going. Keep doing the Barre workouts. Keep putting in road work. Keep putting plates on the bar. As long as you’re safe, eating fewer calories than you burn, and getting enough sleep, you will eventually reach your goals. Some faster than others. Good luck!
