Lifting weights will burn calories for up to 38 hours after your workout!  Strength train with weights at least twice a weeek to charge your metabolism and burn calories longer, not to mention, give you a long, lean, sculpted body.  If you are a cardio-queen, yet feel like your weight loss is stalling…add two days of strength training to your schedule and watch your body lean down in 3….2….1.

Shape magazine rates the Nike Air Max Trainer One ($85 nike.com) as the best for all around gym use.  This shoe is perfect for women who mix things up with cardio, weights and classes.

Shape says this shoe really absorbs the impact of high intensity moves, like jumping jacks, and it’s super firm midsole is ideal for strength training and cardio machines.  The soft pliable uppers never rub or dig into skin and an adjustable forefoot strap keeps your foot in place no matter which direction you move.  Rubber nodes on the outsole provide strong traction.

I’m loving the wide choice of colors offered, and the strap across the midfoot, which holds shoes on tightly (great for hip hop dance and step aerobics.)

Shape magazine features the adorbs, LeAnn Rimes this month.  Want to know how LeAnn gets those killer abs?  It’s all about boxing for her.  Check out her step by step workout here.

LeAnn and her trainer box for about 20 minutes—after doing 40 minutes of resistance training interspersed with cardio intervals.  The result is an intense hour-long workout.

Her body is the result of hour long intense workouts.  It can be achieved with that simple addition to your life, hour long intense cardio workouts.  …how bad do you want it?

Still waiting on the weight loss?  Turn up the weight loss mechanism within and hit the free weights.  Studies have proven that lifting weighs accelerates weight loss as opposed to an all cardio/aerobic workout routine.  Make sure you are strength training every other day.  Push those 2 and 3 pound dumbbells to the side and start lifting heavier.  Branch out into double digit pounds…10, 12, 15, even 20 pound weights!  Use the 20-pounders for areas like chest presses or one armed rows for your back.  Get used to heavier weights and keep increasing the weights as you get stronger.  Not only does strength training accelerate weight loss, but it also gives you defined muscle tone and a sexy body!