Our bodies need a basic amount of energy to function every day, even when we're sleeping. To perform bodily functions, such as breathing and circulation, our body needs energy in the form of calories. Your Resting Metabolic Rate is number of calories your body needs to just exist.
Resting metabolic rate is the energy your body spends for the maintenance of normal body functions and homeostasis; such as maintaining body temperature, breathing, circulating blood, kidneys filtering blood wastes, and making new red-blood cells by bone morrow, plus thermic effect of food, but without physical activity. That’s why it could be 10-20 % higher than basal metabolic rate.
How does it help you in losing weight?
By its definition; the higher RMR you have, the more calories you will burn even when you are just sitting in your chair, or laying on your couch, that’s why anyone trying to lose weight, will be able to make their efforts much easier if they increase their metabolic rate.
Lack of exercise, high energy consumption and fasting, have been shown to decrease resting metabolic rate.
How can I increase my Resting Metabolic Rate?
Weight training (strength training) can increase your resting metabolic rate, because it builds and grows muscles –the one responsible for burning calories), which will help you to burn calories even after the exercises. You can use free weights or machines, but you don't need any expensive equipment.
These exercises are considered examples for strength exercises (you use your own body weight in executing them) and you can do without equipments: push-up, body weight lunges, jump squat, among other you can find in exercise directory.
Also read: Amazing no equipment workout plan.