When it comes to losing weight, it seems like there’s always a new exercise program or certain type of workout that comes to the rescue. Often these are simply new marketing campaigns to lure untrained people into overpaying for something that can be accomplished at much less cost. However, if you search hard enough, you can find some good types of training programs to achieve optimal weight loss.

The best way to lose weight is subjective to each person, but if you apply the best program to suit your needs, you’ll be ahead of the rest. Let’s discuss some popular training techniques that will help you lose fat fast.

Types of training methodologies:

HIIT – It is known as “High Intensity Interval Training” sometimes also called high-intensity intermittent exercise. This type of training is a more defined form of your classic interval training. The strategy is usually cardiovascular, but it can also be applied to anaerobic exercises and is very adaptable to any need. It involves short bursts of high intensity exercise followed immediately by low to medium intensity rest periods.

cross fit – A system of strength and conditioning based on constantly varied movements, often random but functional, executed at high intensities. Including weight lifting, cardio exercises, etc. Just about anything you can think of as a CrossFit workout is more than likely.

So these must be the newest tricks to sell, right? Well, actually, these two specific types of training date back to 1937, when Swedish trainer Gosta Holmer developed the fartlek. Fartlek means “speed game” in Swedish and is a training method that combines continuous training with interval training. However, it is different from traditional interval work because it is unstructured. The intensity or speed varies according to the wishes of the athlete. Sounds familiar right?

When we break down both types of training, I can’t seem to find much of a difference in either. Both are highly adaptable to individual needs. While HIIT primarily focuses on cardiovascular exercise, you can still modify it to apply just as well to an anaerobic workout. The same way a CrossFit workout would be. If you take the name off CrossFit, what’s left?

Conclusion

So what’s the difference then?

Well, there really is no difference.

Which is better?

None is better than the other, it all comes down to your own needs for the current goals you want to achieve. If you are looking for the best way to lose weight, these training methods may work for you. If you maintain a caloric deficit in addition to limiting fat intake. The fastest way to lose weight is by counting your daily calories, either online or via a smartphone app, making sure you are always in a deficit of at least 360-500 calories than you need to maintain your current weight. You can achieve a weight loss of 0.5 lbs to 1 lbs per week of fat by pairing it with one of the programs above. Health professionals say that nutrition plays up to 50% of the role in weight loss. Some top athletes even say that nutrition is 70% of their results. So no matter what your workout is, don’t forget about nutrition!