Human growth hormone (HGH)
Its function: Human growth hormone (HGH) is a very vital hormone in your body. It contributes greatly to roles in your body’s basic functions, including contributing to muscle and bone strength, but the hormone stands out for its ability to regulate fat metabolism.
The effect exercise has on it: Your body releases HGH periodically on its own, especially during sleep, but certain kinds of exercise have been shown to help stimulate major production increases. Specifically, high-intensity workouts that involve serious resistance (i.e. weight lifting) and explosive movement (the type that leaves you breathless real quickly), as opposed to endurance exercise.