Metabolic Resistance Training (MRT), Is It Right For You?

What Is Metabolic Resistance Training (MRT)?

Metabolic Resistance Training, a term made popular by acclaimed strength and conditioning coach Coach Dos, is a full body hybrid of strength training and metabolic conditioning. While the emphasis is on strength and hypertrophy (building/toning muscle) work, the metabolic effect from “pushing the pace” helps build work capacity and fitness.

How Is MRT Different Than Working Out?

Working out, is simply doing something to satisfy a need to do exercise in a given day. A “workout” doesn’t necessarily have a rhyme or reason, other than to get sweaty. Which for some, may be a decent option. However, if you’re serious about getting in shape, simply “working out” will only work for so long (anything and everything will work for a little while if you’re detrained or out of shape).

With that in mind, each one of our MRT sessions takes into consideration what was done the day, week, and month before. This is known as periodization. It’s the hallmark of any great training program.

How Does MRT Work?

MRT is so effective for two primary reasons. Training for strength and hypertrophy isn’t easy, resistance training comes at a metabolic cost. In the case of MRT, it’s metabolically expensive. MRT is the morphing of strength training and metabolic work, moving at a pace which elicits a conditioning effect. In a 2012 study, MRT style interval training session were shown to actually burn fat and increase one’s “cardio” while building strength and muscle, in a fraction of the time compared to traditional training (straight sets, work then long periods of rest).

Our results suggest that high-intensity interval resistance training increases excess post exercise energy consumption to a significantly greater extent than traditional resistance training. This exercise methodology allows subjects to improve metabolism and, at the same time, muscle mass and strength all of which are promoted as beneficial by many guidelines.

Is MRT Right For You?

MRT can be appropriate for any level of fitness. Whether you’re a former collegiate All-American football player or his mother; with proper regressions/progressions paired with general principles of strength and conditioning, MRT is perfect for any level of fitness.

If you’re in the Shoals area and looking to start improving your level of fitness, feel free to reach out and schedule a free week of training to see what our Total Fitness Program is all about!

Click the link here to request a free week of training!

Sources

https://ericcressey.com/5-characteristics-successful-metabolic-resistance-training-programs

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_periodization

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3551736/

https://www.coachdos.com/mrt-webinar/