Burn Calories After The Work Out Is Over: Exercises for Women

EPOC or The Afterburn

The afterburn effect has a fancy name called EPOC, which stands for "excess post-exercise oxygen consumption. This is when your body takes in a high amount of oxygen to bring your body back to its resting state and has an increased metabolism. During EPOC, your body continues to expend calories to remove lactic acid in your muscles, repair damaged tissues and deliver nutrients from food to the cells in your body. Depending on the workout intensity, gender and fitness level, EPOC can last anywhere from 15 minutes to 48 hours.

Plyometrics

Plyometric exercises involve working your muscles to reach their maximum strength in the shortest amount of time, and the movement is repeated over a short period of time. This high-intensity training stimulates EPOC toward the end of the workout and requires quick reflexes and core stability to perfom them. Samples of plyometrics include vertical jumps, box jumps, sprinting, stair-running and various medicine ball throws.

Strength Training

Traditional strength training, such as weightlifting and body-weight training, can cause the afterburn effect by stimulating muscle growth. Like plyometrics, the level of EPOC you gain depends on your workout intensity. Lifting light weights with a higher number of reps may not stimulate as much of an afterburn effect as lifting heavier weights with fewer reps. Examples of strength exercises include kettlebell swings, dumbbell shoulder presses, cable column chest presses and back rows, body-weight lunges, pushups and pullups.

A WORD OF CAUTION

If you have any cardiovascular or metabolic problems or have pain, check with your doctor before starting any workout routine. Vigorous may not be appropriate for those with high blood pressure, because the arteries stiffen and don't expand to increase blood flow. Stick with low- to moderate-intensity exercises, like jogging and cycling, until your condition improves or recommended by a physician. If you're new to exercise and want to try plyometrics or weightlifting, work with a qualified fitness coach before attempting to do this on your own.