What is a metabolic workout?

A metabolic workout is basically a weight training and/or bodyweight workout that involves a series of exercises performed consecutively with little rest in between. Though weights are often included, the primary goal of these workouts is not to lift maximal loads, but to elevate your heart rate and burn calories.

Rather than spending an endless amount of time on the treadmill, a metabolic workout provides a short, but high intensity bout of cardiovascular activity to assist fat loss.

You should note that these are NOT used to replace regular strength training. Strength work should remain a cornerstone of your program as this will serve to help maintain muscle mass while in a deficit.

Metabolic workouts would be done in addition to your strength training workouts (i.e., you might have 3 strength workouts and 2 short metabolic workouts in the same training week).

Most importantly though, you should understand that, while metabolic workouts are useful, diet is always going to be the primary driver of fat loss. If you’re not losing, the emphasis has to be put there first.