The most effective fat loss exercises are the one’s that use muscles the way they were designed to work

During the millions of years humans have been evolving, we have developed certain basic tasks – running, jumping, climbing, throwing, hitting, pulling, squatting and lunging. With this in mind we can create hundreds of exercises but we can also eliminate hundreds of exercises that have absolutely nothing to do with basic human movement.

The goal of each workout is to set a new record

To gain maximum results in the gym, each workout should be progressive. Try to accomplish something in each workout that you have never achieved before. It doesn’t necessarily mean lifting more weight;

• it could be doing more exercises or sets of a given exercises than you did last time

• it might be reducing the rest time between exercises

• it may be increasing the amount of reps for that exercise

It may even be a combination of all of the above but to be honest it doesn’t really matter. The important take home point is that you are pushing yourself harder and progressing in each and every workout.

Avoid Machine exercises!

The problem with machine based exercises is that machines work on a fixed plane of motion. This forces your joints into unnatural angles creating damage on not only the joint but the tendons, ligaments and muscles.

Compare this to free weight exercises where there are no fixed planes such as exercises with dumbbells or barbells. Your joints are not forced into any compromising positions and your stabilising muscles are forced to work to stabilise and support your joints, keeping you healthy and injury free.

Don’t judge a fat loss program by the personal trainer promoting it

As an expert in the field, I find it absolutely ridiculous that someone would judge a person’s knowledge by the size of their arms! Yes I would very much have my doubts about paying a personal trainer that was in bad shape. You would hope a personal trainer would have the passion for both lifting weights and eating a healthy diet. Personal trainers should have experience and know exactly how an exercise feels, but in a world where most personal trainers are in at least decent shape, it is pointless to pick the guy in the gym with the best arms and decide he is the most knowledgeable. Maybe he has more time to train, maybe he uses performance enhancing supplements, or maybe he is just born with good genetics. As someone who is hugely passionate about helping people, my point is to do a little homework on your personal trainers. A good personal trainer will guarantee you results, a bad personal trainer will just leave you out of pocket and fat!

You will get better results working really hard at a ‘bad’ program compared to lazily moping your way through a ‘good’ program

Training hard and consistently is the key to making gains. The only difference is when you work hard and train consistently on a ‘good’ program, you will quickly see incredible results.