LADIES get in here: Why you'll NEVER get your dream body doing cardio: Celebrity trainer reveals you won't get toned by jogging and spinning (as she shares the secret to an A-list body)

• Sarah Lindsay claims hours on treadmill may be hindering weight loss efforts
• She  says the secret to success lies in lifting weights
• Sarah works with Pixie Lott, Melanie Sykes and Christine Bleakley  

As millions hit the gym in the hope of burning off the post-Christmas pounds, one expert warns that we could be going about it all wrong.

Sarah Lindsay, director of Roar Fitness, who frequently works with A-listers, claims that hours spent pounding the treadmill may be hindering your weight loss efforts.

'There is no faster way to run face first into a fat loss plateau than purely focusing on cardiovascular exercise,' she said..

So what's the solution? 'Weight training,' she revealed.

Explaining why weight training is more effective at helping you achieve your dream body than jogging, she said: 'The correct weight training programme will not only blast away body fat at a dizzying pace, but, more importantly, it will provide the tone and shape to your body that endless pounding away on treadmills and spin classes simply does not do.'

Whilst she admits that a little cardio training can have its place, weight training will have far more of a positive and profound impact on the hormonal system.

This, she says, is what really counts when it comes to achieving a lean and sculpted figure

Explaining in more detail, she said: 'The release of various hormones during weight training such as growth hormone, IGF-1 and testosterone (yes, that's right, you need it too, ladies) will go a long way to boosting your overall metabolism as well as improving overall health and well being. 

'On the flip side, excessive cardio vascular exercise becomes very stressful to your adrenal glands, which, in turn, can cause a loss of lean muscle, which is essential for maintaining a fast metabolism to keep fat storage at bay.'

She goes on to explain that the body adapts to the routine of cardio and so your fat burning ability plateaus. 

With weight training, however, all you need to do is vary the exercise, change the tempo or body the number of reps you are doing, and your metabolism can stay elevated for as much as 48 hours after your workout.

FIVE TIPS FOR NO CARDIO TRAINING 

1. Focus on big lifts 

Do 13-15 reps on the deadlift exercise, which is a total body exercise that predominately works your posterior muscles such as the back, glutes and hamstrings. If you try to perform the lift with maximum effort, not only will you build great strength and muscle, you will also get a great metabolic response.

2. Nutrition is as important as exercise 

When it comes to attaining a lean body, and whilst everyone is biochemically different, a whole food diet that is based around regular protein meals throughout the day, with plenty of fibrous vegetables and water should be at the top of everyones priority list.

3. Do supersets 

This is a great way to ensure you get more work done during your workouts by minimising your rest time. By doing one exercise like deadlift, resting for 45-60 seconds and then training another body part - like performing a chest press - before moving onto the next pair will ensure you get the biggest bang for your buck. Did you know that 45 minutes of this training will be worth five hours on the treadmill as far as long term fat loss is concerned?

4. Take a shake 

Post workout protein is essential for recovery. Remember that while lifting weights, you are effectively breaking down muscle tissue so taking protein ensures regain and growth of new muscle, which, in turn, helps to boost your BMR - the amount of calories you burn at rest. This keeps you leaner longer term.

5. Ask for help

So many people are scared of weight training and think they will get hurt doing weights. In reality, accidents very rarely happen as weight training should be a controlled smooth movement to ensure you are activating the correct muscles. 

If you are unsure of the correct technique then ask a trainer or instructor. That's what they are there for and should be happy to help. Even ask other gym users (after they finish their set) as they are probably passionate about training and will have lots of good tips.

There is actually a fantastic community now in the fitness world and they are a lot friendlier than you may expect!