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About Jerry Goodwin
Expertise
I can answer questions related to any of the following areas alternative medicine, fitness, physical education, weight training, senior health, bicycling, personal trainers, personal training, medical technology, health and wellness, eating disorders, weight loss, Naturopathy, first aid, and bodybuilding. In fact I was listed as an expert in each of these categories at askme.com until they closed down

Experience
I have worked in health and or fitness related capacities for over 30 years. My main profession is that of a Medical Technologist, but I also have training as a Corpsman with the US Navy, a Field Medic with the Army National Guard,and am certified as A Personal Trainer, Medical Exer-therapist and Aerobics Instructor through the National Academy for Health and Fitness. My wife and I have operated BMG Services Fitness and Nutrition in Moultrie Georgia since 1995. I also have an Associates Degree in Computer Robotics. I am an avid bicycle rider, mostly road riding with the occasional mountain trail or off road "experience". My wife and I usually do a charity ride at least once per year to help those less fortunate. Degrees & Certifications: Certifications include Clinical Laboratory Scientist CLS/NCA. Clinical Laboratory Technologist CLT/HHS Personal Trainer, Aerobics Instructor, and Medical Exer-therapist NAHF. Advance Weight Training through NAHF. Accepted as AFTA Associate Awards include the Ohio State Award of Merit and Ohio Special Services Ribbon, Army Commendation Medal and 2 Army Achievement Medals CPR re-Certifcation 2007 Web page: http://www.bmgfitness.com http;//www.healthandfitnessebookclub.com
 
   

You are here:  Experts > Recreation/Outdoors > Bodybuilding > Weightlifting & Exercise > Lean muscles

Weightlifting & Exercise - Lean muscles


Expert: Jerry Goodwin - 4/29/2009

Question
QUESTION: I've heard the term "lean muscle" used on "The biggest loser" and wasn't sure what it meant. What is lean muscles, and how does it differ from other types of muscle? Also does machine weight training burn many calories, or is cardio best for that? Can you give me an idea of how much weight training does? And lastly, I seem to have put on 1.8 lbs this week from last week versus losing any. What is the likihood that a lot of that gain is muscles weight? Assume I keep the same diet and previously didn't gain any weight, and in fact lost weight.

ANSWER: Hi James,

There is no real difference between lean muscle and muscle, all muscle is lean, which simply means that it contains no fat.

The real difference is between LBM and Fat. Lean Body Mass (LBM) is basically anything that is not fat. This includes the body organs including blood, kidneys, and all muscle. When bodyfat % is measured the amount of fat is measured and calculated then the weight of the fat is subtracted to find the LBM, which is sometimes referred to as Lean Muscle, which is actually incorrect as the LBM includes more than just muscle.

There is a considerable amount of discussion as to whether Cardio or Resistance burns the most fat, I personally believe that any good exercise plan should include both. The proponents of cardio will say that you must have cardio and you must do it at a certain level in order to burn the most fat. Personally I believe anything that gets a person body moving is good and it can do nothing but help, which helps more Cardio or resistance? That is real easy to figure out, which one will you do? That is the one that will do the most.

Numerous people ask me which is the best exercise for this or that. The answer is always the same, the one you will actually do is the best, if you absolutely hate to run, then running is not a good exercise to include in your regimen. If you love to cycle or play on the trampoline or swim then those should be included in your routine. Personally I love cycling and I enjoy weight training, I have found that running is far too hard on my knees and is just not something I can get into, I also absolutely hate stationery cycling, so I don't put these in my routine, instead I use outdoor cycling, swimming and weight training to stay in shape. I have found lately that BMX Racing has gotten into my blood somewhat and am having a blast practicing on the Tracks here in South Georgia.

As far as whether resistance or cardio burns the most fat, depending on the study and the expert that you read you will find data both ways. The main difference is that cardio only really burns fat while your actually working out, while resistance will build muscle and the muscle will continue to burn calories even when the muscle is idle. The body must maintain the muscles and uses calories to keep the muscle maintained. The proponents of building muscle to burn calories will say that this burns far more calories than cardio, and several studies have shown that they are correct.

In regard to the 1.8lbs, it could indeed be muscle weight gain, did you at the same time lose girth around the waist, did your clothes fit a little better, if so then the weight is very likely muscle that you are building.

Hope this helps

Have a great day

Jerry



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well actually I hadn't noticed any major decrease in waist girth, and I recycle the same 3 pairs of pants because they were the ones that fit still before I started exercising. How accurate are those caleper things that measure body fat content, and are they expensive? Do all gyms have them? Last night I was hoping to have lost weight and as a prize was going to have 1/4 of a cherry pie. Well I had the pie anyway because I knew I'd worked very hard, and hopefully my new muscles will burn through it quickly. It's like 750 calories for 1/4 of it, which seems extreme to me. lol. Does muscles burn calories when at rest, and does muscles burn calories as quickly and effectively as an equivelent amount of fat? And lastly how does hunger fit into that? After the calories are gone will I be starving before the fat starts burning?

ANSWER: Hi James,

I am sorry I thought I had answered this the other day, maybe not. The Calipers can be accurate in the hands of a professional, however there are differences between the models of calipers as well as the people taking the measurements. As long as you have the same person taking the measurements with the same calipers then your measurements are pretty accurate.

Muscle burn calories, fat does not. Muscle is dynamic and it must be "fed" fat is stored energy, fat doesn't really burn enough calories to worry about.

Hunger always has something to do with it, but you can space out meals over the day 6 to 8 meals using small servings that have both protein and carbs in each meal, MRP's ( Meal Replacement shakes and Bars) work great for some of these meals. That way you never get hungry and you actually eat more food but you end up using more calories as well. Eat more frtuits, vggies and real lean meat, fish etc.

Hope this helps

Have a great day

Jerry



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I know fat doesn't burn calories. I know that calories are energy, and fat is basically the stored version of unused calories. I was asking if muscles burns both calories and the fat equivelent equally?

Answer
Hi James

Sorry I must have misunderstood the question regarding the burning of fat versus the burning of calories. In order to burn any fat the body must be in a sort of negative calorie state, That is you must be taking in less calories than you are using. You will of course burn calories no matter, so if I understand your question correctly the answer is no. You will burn way more calories over any given period than you will burn fat. The fat calories you burn will only be those that are needed by the body when the incoming calories do not furnish enough energy to take care of all the bodies needs.  So if you use of 3000 calories for your normal activities and you take in 2500 calories the absolute most fat calories that are burnt will be 500. A pound of fat is 3500 calories, so at that it would take 7 days to burn 1 lb  of fat.

You can cause that negative calorie state by either reducing the calorie intake (diet) or increasing the calorie expenditure  exercise) or a combination of the two.

Muscles tend to use protein and glycogen stores before using fat. If the muscles are not being used the body will actually use muscle for fuel before using fat, so that gives us another reason to exercise.

So assuming that I now understand the question correctly the simple answer is no muscle will not burn other calories and fat calories at an equivalent rate.

Hope this helps

Have a great day

Jerry

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