Trim down and boost your metabolism with high intensity exercises and strength training, both are an excellent way to get rid of that stubborn, excess body fat, because working your muscles is the key to firing up your metabolism.

Your muscles follow the “use it or lose it” principle. The more muscle mass you have, the higher your resting metabolic rate. Unlike traditional cardio, strength training causes you to continue burning more calories for up to 72 hours after the exercise is over through a phenomenon called after-burn. High intensity strength training or super-slow weight training also has profound effects on your insulin and leptin sensitivity and gives you an excellent boost in human growth hormone (HGH), otherwise known as the “fitness hormone.”