Hey Kettlebellers! I am a subscriber to
Alwyn Cosgrove's newsletter and I highly recommend you sign up too. This guy has amazing ideas on how to burn fat and build muscle in a time efficient manner. Here is the latest newsletter he sent out, explaining Metabolic Acceleration Training.
Metabolic Acceleration Training, A better way
I'm a huge believer in using the "alternating set" system when training in the gym. For time management reasons, I tend to do exercise one for a set, rest 60 seconds or so, do exercise two for a set, rest 60 seconds or so, and continue. This allows me to increase work density while still getting "true" rest.
In other words, I perform a set of squats, rest 60 seconds, perform a set of push-ups, rest 60 seconds, and repeat. So in effect, I've almost tripled the rest period between squat sets (60 seconds plus the time taken for push-ups plus 60 seconds) as opposed to using a straight set system. And for fat loss training, it's unparalleled.
However, the biggest problem or complaint I get from clients who use commercial facilities is that it's really hard for them to tie up two pieces of gym equipment at peak hours. I have my own facility, but I realize this can be a real problem elsewhere. So I started experimenting with a few things--doing dumbbell lunges and push-ups for example or step-ups and dumbbell bench presses where I could use one set of dumbbells and one piece of equipment.
It was an okay compromise, but it started to somewhat limit my exercise selection. And to be honest, it still had the issue of people working in and possibly disrupting your rest periods.
So I went a step further. What if I created a fat loss or conditioning program based around one piece of equipment where you stayed in the same spot, using the same load for the entire duration. So I tried it. At first it was awkward, but after reading Istvan Javorek's work and talking with über strength coach, Robert Dos Remedios, I started to implement different variations of combination lifting.
I just hoped that it would work as well as alternating sets for fat loss and conditioning or at least close enough that it wasn't too much of a tradeoff. As it turns out, it worked better! In fact, it worked so well that it became a cornerstone of my conditioning programs with several athletes.
Part twoPart two of the evolution of our fat loss programs came shortly after. I have always recommended interval training as a superior form of fat loss over steady state cardio. Interval training is essentially periods of hard work alternated with easier periods of work using a cardio exercise.
The problem--running a mile doing intervals involves about 1500 repetitions. For someone looking to cut body fat, and hit total body weight training two to three times a week, that is a lot of extra volume and potential joint stress. So I started thinking. Interval training is similar to weight training in that it involves sets (and reps) followed by a rest period (albeit active). What if I used a lighter version of traditional strength training and created metabolic circuits?
Timed sets
This is the simplest variation of metabolic work. Pick a load that is about 80% of your 10RM. Perform as many reps as possible at a constant tempo for a period of time (e.g. 60 seconds) and try to perform as many repetitions with as good form as possible. Rest for 15-30 seconds and perform another exercise.
Example #1
Barbell reverse lunge, left leg, 60 secondsRest 15-30 secondsBarbell reverse lunge, right leg, 60 secondsRest 15-30 secondsBarbell push press, 60 secondsRest 15-30 secondsRepeat three times for a 12-minute routine.
Example #2
Kettlebell swings, 30 secondsRest 15 secondsPush-ups/burpees, 30 secondsRest 15 secondsProwler push, 30 secondsRest 15 secondsRepeat for five rounds for a 12-minute finisher.
Metabolic density training
This is a modified version of EDT as popularized by Charles Staley. However, Charles recommends two exercises performed as a superset for 15 minutes. In this case, we are going to use three exercises and work for ten minutes.
Example #1
Dumbbell bench pressAlternating lungesSwiss ball crunchIn this method, select a load that will allow 10-12 reps and perform sets of 6-8. There is no rest between exercises. Work continuously for ten minutes moving from one exercise to the next. The alternate version is to perform five rounds of 6-8 reps of each as fast as possible.
Complexes
Be warned, these are pretty grueling. Perform the complexes at the beginning of your workout when you're fresh. They'll elevate your metabolism beyond anything you've ever experienced before. The most frequently asked question about complexes is how much load to use.
Remember, it's a metabolic stimulus, not a strength or hypertrophy stimulus so be conservative. Now, don't go too light either. A good "Cosgrove rule of thumb" is that if you're not questioning why in the hell you're doing these exercises or convincing yourself that twice around is enough, you're not going heavy enough.
Let's get into it. Perform each complex once per week for four training sessions per week. Use the following progression:
Week one: 4 sets of 5 reps of each, 90 seconds rest
Week two: 5 sets of 5 reps of each, 75 seconds rest
Week three: 5 sets of 6 reps of each, 60 seconds rest
Week four: 6 sets of 6 reps of each, 45 seconds rest.
Then puke.
Complex A
Bent over barbell row
Hang clean
Front squat and push press hybrid
Jump squat (bar on back)
Good morning
Complex B
Romanian deadlift
Hang clean and front squat and push press (combination lift, perform one rep of each in series)
Reverse lunge (alternate legs)
Complex C
Deadlift
High pull (onto toes)
Squat clean (clean the bar from the hang and then drop into a full squat on the catch)
Military press (strict)
Jump lunges (switch legs)
Insert my evil laugh here!
Complex D
Jump squat
Squat
Squat and hold for 10 seconds
Military press
Push press
Squat and press (combination lift, perform one rep of each in series)
Note: Try to work all exercises at a speed of 1-2 reps per second.
Tabatas
A Tabata protocol is a very high intensity anaerobic interval program that involved eight rounds of 20 second work periods at 170% of your VO2 max with a negative recovery period of 10 seconds. The best way to use these with strength training exercises is to alternate one upper body with one lower body exercise. The second progression we used is to vary the work to rest ratio.
Beginner: 10 seconds work, 20 seconds recoveryIntermediate: 15 seconds work, 15 seconds recoverAdvanced: 20 seconds work, 10 seconds recovery.
A great pairing is squat jumps and running push-ups (a single push-up and two reps of mountain climbers in alternating fashion) in pairs.Medley conditioningThis is similar to the other methods in that we are working for time, but we will use 15 seconds on and 15 seconds off and perform multiple rounds with different pieces of equipment. For example, an MMA fighter competing in five-minute rounds may use four exercises in a circuit and perform multiple rounds until the five-minute period is up.
Example #115 seconds, Prowler push15 seconds, rest15 seconds, squat jump15 seconds, rest15 seconds, sledgehammer or medicine ball chops15 seconds, rest15 seconds, kettlebell swing15 seconds, restKeep working through the medley until the five-minute period is up.
Finishers
Finishers are just short body weight or single piece of equipment only, 3-5 minute routines at the end of each workout.
Screamers:
3 push-ups, 1 tuck jump6 push-ups, 2 tuck jump9 push-ups, 3 tuck jumps12 push-ups, 4 tuck jumps15 push-ups, 5 tuck jumps
Continue to add three push-ups and one tuck jump to each set until you miss a rep. Then climb back down the ladder.
Leg Matrix:
24 squats12 lunges each leg (alternating)12 lunge jumps each leg (alternating)24 squat jumps(If you can complete this in under 90 seconds, do two rounds with no rest.) We've also experimented with doing 36 reps of each exercise (and 18 of the alternating reps). Try it !Squat series:
20-second squat jump20-second squat20-second isometric squatRepeat for three rounds with no rest.
Countdowns
Select two exercises (e.g. kettlebell swing and burpees or squat jumps and plyometric push-ups).
Perform 10 reps of each, nine reps of each, eight reps of each and so on. Each week start with one set of one more rep than your top set (e.g. 11 reps, 10 reps, 9 reps, etc.).
A final warning. This isn't for the faint hearted or de-conditioned. They are not beginners' routines. If you're coming back from injury or illness, don't try this program yet. It's brutal. But it's also a lot of fun and a great way to change up your training for a while!
And if you follow this routine for four weeks, you'll see a very significant improvement in your conditioning and a massive drop in your body fat!
This article originally appeared at EliteFTS.com
----Q: In the
Hierarchy of Fat Loss article - you talk about "metabolic resistance training". Can you explain exactly what that is?A: Basically it's using resistance training exercises, and instead of adjusting load, sets or reps to focus on strength vs hypertrophy - we adjust load, time under tension and rep speed to focus on more metabolic demands. In my experience this is the fastest, and most time-efficient way to drop body fat and outperforms any other method.
I have just released a DVD that covers several methods of using this type of training - including * Timed sets, * Density training, * Complexes, * Tabata training and * Metabolic "finishers". After presenting this topic as a practical session around the country on the Perform Better tour in 2007 - we have released the information and workouts on this DVD. Theis will help you identify how to use strength training exercises and implements to create a strength, cardiovascular and metabolic training effect simultaneously.We launched it at the
Perform Better event in January 2008 and sold out. I presented this weekend in New Jersey and we also sold out. We just got more copies back in stock.You can pick up your copy of the DVD
here.--
AC
AlwynCosgrove.com
24420 Walnut street
Newhall, CA91321US
The week has gotten off to a good start! Kettlebell class on Monday and a Max Effort Squat/Deadlift day today is making me feel like a proper athlete again.
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