Metabolic conditioning or “metcon” for short is a style of training made popular in recent years by the CrossFit community – although the style of training itself is nothing new. The term describes short bouts of higher-intensity training designed to increase metabolic demand and increase energy usage.
What is metabolic conditioning?
Metabolic conditioning, or MetCon for short, refers to exercises that increase the amount of energy stored and released by the body. While all forms of training require energy, MetCon differs in the way the energy is created in the body and how it is used up by the body for activity.
Is metabolic conditioning the same as HIIT?
The exercises are always vigorous and the intervals times are specific, often 20 to 30 seconds. HIIT exercises are a form of metabolic conditioning — but not all metabolic conditioning is HIIT.
What is metabolic in CrossFit?
Metabolic training refers to conditioning exercises intended to increase the storage and delivery of energy for any activity. … Ultimately the CrossFit position on metabolic conditioning, or “cardio”, is summed up in two points. One is that anaerobic training can match endurance training for aerobic benefit.
What is metabolic conditioning examples?
As such, weightlifting, interval training, and steady state running are technically all examples of metabolic conditioning—but let’s not get bogged down in technicalities. As mentioned previously, in today’s fitness culture, metcon is used to describe high intensity, cardio-focused workouts.
How do you create a metabolic conditioning workout?
Build Your Own MetCon
- Step One – Decide how long your workout will be. …
- Step Two – Pick two to four exercises to cycle through. …
- Step Three – Choose an AMRAP structure. …
- Step Four – Set your workout timer and go!
- 5 rounds for time.
- 5 Rounds for time.
- 15-minute AMRAP.
What is metabolic training exercises?
The short definition of metabolic training is: compound exercises with little rest in between in an effort to maximize caloric burn and increase metabolic rate during and after the workout.
Is Tabata metabolic conditioning?
This Metabolic Conditioning Tabata Workout Will Challenge Your High-Intensity Threshold. This program is designed to challenge your high-intensity capacity. Following the Tabata protocol (20 seconds of work, with 10 seconds of rest repeated for 10 rounds), try to complete as many rounds as you can.
How often should I do metabolic conditioning?
Most experts suggest about three metabolic conditioning workouts per week should do the trick. But if you’re just starting out, try once a week at first, and see how it goes, Prescott says.
What is metcon vs HIIT?
HIIT. Though metcon and HIIT are sometimes used interchangeably, there are a few key differences. All HIIT is metcon, but not all metcon is HIIT. That’s because metcon incorporates both moderate- and high-intensity exercises, while HIIT is specifically high-intensity.
Why is metabolic fitness important?
Why Metabolic Fitness Matters
When the flow of energy and information is working well it causes: Increased healthspan and lifespan. Better memory and recall. Better sleep.
Is metabolic conditioning cardio?
Metabolic conditioning (MetCon) is a special combination of cardio and strength workouts. It’s not the long, slow cardio we’ve spent the last 20 years doing, nor is it the boring old straight-set strength training workouts, either.
