Your goal is to burn fat and build muscle!
We all go to the gym with the mindset to reach our goals. As you’re working out you’re feeling good! The endorphins are pumped and you are in the “Zone”. But then out of nowhere, you get this intense burn, followed by some cramps. Eventually, you can’t even lift the weight or perhaps perform your bodyweight exercise anymore!
Congratulations, this is a good thing! You’ve entered a threshold that is forcing your body to adjust and get stronger, you’ve forced your body to release Lactic Acid!
WebMD defines “Lactic Acid” with the following explanation:
“When you exercise, your body uses oxygen to break down glucose (=carbs) for energy. During intense exercise, there may not be enough oxygen available to complete the process, so a substance called lactate is made. Your body can convert this lactate to energy without using oxygen. But this lactate or lactic acid can build up in your bloodstream faster than you can burn it off. The point when lactic acid starts to build up is called the “lactate threshold.” Source
The great thing about Lactic Acid building up is that now your body will get stronger
Notice the word “lactate threshold”. Let’s break it down, starting with the word “threshold”. Webster-Merriam defines a threshold as “the point at which a physiological or psychological effect begins to be produced.” Source
Now, let’s take into consideration the adage “feel the burn”. Your body has to embrace one lactate threshold so that it can transition into another one!
For example, if you are doing bicep curls with a 50lbs barbell and you are able to execute 10 reps and then begin to feel the burn, great! You and your biceps have reached your lactate threshold. So the next time you do bicep curls with the 50lb barbell it makes sense to push for 15 reps instead of 10.
Your lactate threshold allows you to gauge both your current strength levels and aerobic capacity while simultaneously allowing your body to enter into a new lactate threshold. By experiencing the lactate threshold you can now improve it and as such, you’ll get stronger, bigger and burn more fat.
Remember, embrace the burn and know it is merely a natural response to your body being pushed so that you can get better and reach your fitness goals.
I trust you’ve found this article helpful. Email me: [email protected]. With over 10 years of training under my belt, I can build you a custom plan with the power of the Trainerize platform. Your plan will ensure you blast through the lactate threshold and achieve your fitness goals faster than ever.
