Burn Fat and Build Muscle in the Same Workout Burning fat and building muscle are two of the most common goals in the weight room, but most athletes find it nearly impossible to do both at once. The easiest way to build muscle is to progressively overload fundamental exercises (the big man himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger, stuck almost exclusively to his favorite six -- the Squat, Deadlift, Bench Press, Row, Chin-Up and Curl). You'll lose fat quicker by elevating your heart rate with high reps and little rest. Athletes usually get frustrated when trying to burn fat and build muscle simultaneously with opposing workout strategies. You can solve the problem by bridging the gap between the two. Bridge the Gap Start with a modified circuit training program. Circuit training, a mix of strength and aerobic exercises, usually consists of low- to moderate-intensity weight and machine movements primarily used to elevate the heart rate. With your modified circuit training workout, you'll place greater emphasis on strength training through an up-tempo pace with heavier weights. How to Modify Your Training Most weight training workouts are performed at a slow pace with long rest periods that allow for complete recovery. To maximize fat loss, it's important keep your heart rate high during recovery. You can stimulate muscle growth with recovery times of 30 to 90 seconds between exercises. Instead of sitting on the bench between sets, however, perform a superset or dynamic interrupt to keep your heart rate elevated. Supersets A superset is a