If you’re looking to improve your overall physique and achieve a lean, toned body, you may already be focusing on building muscle while losing fat. From the outside, this concept, known as body recomposition, may seem contradictory at first glance: To build muscle, you consume more calories, and to lose fat, you consume fewer calories.
Even so, it’s entirely possible to achieve body recomposition with the right combination of nutrition and exercise. In fact, it’s a more sustainable approach to long-term fitness and health than extreme dieting or bulking and cutting cycles.
So, how exactly can you build muscle and lose fat simultaneously? Keep reading — below, you’ll learn how body recomposition works, its benefits, and how to achieve it.
Body composition refers to the percentage of fat, muscle, and bone in your body. It’s not just about the number on the scale but the proportions of different tissues that make up your total body weight:
Body recomposition focuses on altering the proportions of these three components to achieve a more toned and defined appearance. When you increase your lean muscle mass with strength training and decrease your fat mass through proper nutrition, you can achieve a lower body fat percentage while also increasing muscle definition.
A traditional weight loss method looks like this: You put your body in a caloric deficit, and as a result, it starts using fat stores to provide energy, causing weight loss. But here’s the catch — this approach doesn’t guarantee that all the weight you lose is from fat alone.
You might also lose some of that hard-earned muscle mass along the way. In fact, if you don’t do anything other than go into caloric deficit your weight loss might be 40–60% muscle!
Body recomposition works differently. It focuses on building muscle and losing fat simultaneously by combining the following:
Cardiovascular exercises increase heart rate and oxygen consumption, causing the body to burn more calories and fat. The good thing about cardio is that there are a ton of exercise options, making it easy to find something you enjoy.
Some of the most effective cardio exercises for fat loss include:
Running, swimming, and dancing are other great options, burning 295, 255, and 165 calories, respectively, in 30 minutes.
Zone 2 cardio training is one of the best areas for fat burning. It is the optimal threshold for your body to switch into fat-burning mode while being moderate enough in intensity so that you can maintain it for long periods of time (and thus burn more fat).
Resistance training (also known as weight training or strength training) involves working against resistance to build muscle and increase strength. When you lift weights or use resistance bands, you create micro-tears in your muscles.
Then your body repairs these tears by building new muscle tissue, leading to muscle growth. This process, known as hypertrophy, is key to achieving a toned and defined physique.
Effective weight training exercises for muscle building include:
The trainwell exercise library offers various strength training exercises that target different muscle groups. You can customize them to your fitness level and goals. For the best results, incorporate resistance training 2-3 times a week (with rest days in between).
When you're going through body recomposition, it's important to have a slight calorie deficit while still meeting your body's nutritional needs. This means consuming fewer calories than you burn in a day — but not drastically cutting them to the point where your body is not getting enough essential nutrients.
Here’s how to reduce your calorie intake without sacrificing nutrition:
Protein is a must for muscle building and repair. When you start working out, your muscles undergo stress and damage; protein can help repair and rebuild them stronger.
We don't recommend going overboard with your protein intake, but you should get slightly above the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. The recommended protein intake can range from 1.2–1.7 grams per kilogram of body weight for individuals actively trying to build muscle.
Here are some simple ways to get enough protein without massively increasing your caloric intake:
Also keep in mind that the older you get, the more protein you need to maintain or build muscle.
Achieving body recomposition through a combination of cardio, weight training, decreased calorie intake, and increased protein intake offers a ton of physical benefits, like:
Ready to get started with body recomposition? Follow these tips to lose body fat and gain muscle simultaneously:
Personal trainers are certified pros who can create customized workout and meal plans tailored to your specific goals, needs, and fitness level. They’ll be there to help you get the most out of your workouts, keep an eye on your progress, and tweak your workout program as needed to make sure you’re hitting your targets. A personal trainer will also provide support, motivation, and accountability throughout your fitness journey.
At trainwell, our trainers are highly qualified, with at least three years of training experience. They’re also adaptive to individual needs and diverse in gender, ethnicity, and training specialization. Even if you have no workout equipment or access to a gym, our trainers will create an effective at-home workout plan using bodyweight exercises or household items.
Monitoring progress is crucial for assessing whether your current routine is working. It also helps you stay motivated and adjust to reach your goals. Some ways to track progress include:
Trainwell tracks the progress that matters most to you, if you want, including:
For easy tracking, you'll receive a “Month In Review” that shows off your consistency and the exercises you've done.
While strength training is vital for building muscle, cardio is crucial for burning fat and boosting heart health. A combination of both is the key to a successful body recomposition journey. Aim for at least 2-3 days of strength training and 2-3 days of cardio per week, with 1 or 2 days of rest.
Don't neglect resistance training for smaller muscle groups like biceps and triceps. These exercises can also contribute to overall muscle growth.
What you'll love most about choosing trainwell is that you don't need to schedule a session. Upon opening the trainwell app, you'll have a completely custom workout that is just for you. Your trainer’s voice will guide you through every exercise and rest interval, telling you what to do, when to rest, and which exercises are coming up next.
A common mistake people (especially beginners) make is expecting quick results and giving up when they don't see them. Body recomposition is a slow and steady process that requires patience, commitment, and consistency. Results may not come overnight, but with consistent effort and dedication, they will eventually come.
Trainwell trainers build science-based programs emphasizing a long-term, sustainable approach for body recomposition. They'll provide support, motivation, and accountability to help you stick to your goals and achieve your desired results.
Building muscle while losing fat is entirely possible with the right approach. Body recomposition combines cardio, weight training, decreased calorie intake, and increased protein intake.
To achieve body recomposition, work with a certified personal trainer, monitor your progress, balance cardio and strength training, and most importantly, be patient and consistent.
Trainwell trainers offer expert guidance, personalized plans, and continual support to help you reach your body recomposition goals. Your trainer will assess your current fitness level, create a tailored workout plan for your goals and schedule, and track your progress for optimal results.
Don't wait any longer to achieve your body recomposition goals. Join trainwell today and experience the benefits of personalized training and support in your fitness journey.
