The Spot Training Fat Reduction Myth

How many times have you or a friend said "I don't need to work on everything, I just need to work on this!" (All while pointing to the flabby arms, the butt, the abs, or lack there-of), or better yet, heard an infomercial talk about never needing to workout again? Hopefully if you're reading this, you know enough to laugh at those kinds of statements.

Unfortunately there is no such thing as spot reduction when it comes to losing fat! You can do as many crunches and abdominal exercises as you want, but unless you lower your overall body fat, those six-pack abs you're going for will still be in hiding. Why? Your body fat content is a direct correlation to your overall fitness level. Hence, the better your overall and cardiovascular fitness, the lower your body fat composition. Yes, you can spot-train for strength, but here's why the myth goes haywire: The strength training of one muscle has little to do with the consumption of fat and glucose needed for the energy use of your entire body if the other muscles aren't being used. Spot training a single area and wondering why you're not getting results is kind of like the couch potato kid that plays Super Mario Soccer and wonders why he has no skills when he goes to play in the real game. Sorry to disappoint, but it's just not the same.

Lose the idea of spot reduction and fad diets, and start to lower your body fat with overall cardiovascular and strength training and a healthy, proportional diet that becomes a lifestyle habit. You'll soon be seeing the lean muscle you're after in your entire body, and best of all, it will last!