Women need to strength train for fat loss. That's surprising. And women can also train hard. That's surprising to a lot of folks as well. Females can do a really cool fat burning program called the 300 Workout for Women. Now just because the 300 workout was built for a guy's movie doesn't mean we can't modify a workout originally made to chisel male Greek Statue bodies into a workout that will turn the average gal into a fitness Goddess.
The original 300 workout is brutal, and there are two ways we can modify it. First, by using the same exercises and decreasing the reps. And second, by keeping the reps but reducing the intensity of the exercises.
Let's do option A first, doing a workout with mostly the same exercises but fewer reps. So this becomes a 125 rep workout. Its tough, and is really for advanced female fitness only. A more beginner exercise is below.
a) Pullups - 5 reps (if you can't do real pullups, use the assisted pullup machine or even pulldowns) b) Deadlifts with 25lbs - 30 reps (in the original workouts, they used 135 pounds. We'll decrease the weight and use the EZ curl bar instead. Alternatively, you can do dumbbell squats with 15 pounds per hand). c) Pushups - 20 reps (do a combination of regular and kneeling if necessary) d) 12-inch Box jumps - 25 reps e) Floor wipers - 20 reps (Use the EZ Curl Bar again, or a broomstick) f) 1-arm Clean n Press with 10lbs Kettlebell - 20 reps total, not per arm g) Pullups - 5 reps (same as above)
A woman with a moderate fitness level might try this 100 repetition workout (remember - minimize the rest between sets):
5 bodyweight rows 15 bodyweight squats 5 pushups 50 jumping jacks 10 mountain climbers 10 lunges 5 bodyweight rows
Those are some challenging workouts. Work with a trainer to come up with other ideas. Just do this workout once as a test. You might try it every couple of months or so as a comparison, but don't train like this everyday. And as always, train safe. If you aren't sure about the technique, your form, or don't feel comfortable with the workout, skip it! Craig Ballantyne is a fitness expert and regular contributor to Men's Health and Women's Health magazines, and is on the advisory board for Oxygen Magazine. Craig's trademarked fat burning workouts for men and women, help people lose fat fast in the comfort of their own homes. Learn more at http://www.TurbulenceTraining.com
