Trying to lose weight and undecided between cardio and weightlifting? This discussion’s common among those wanting to shed pounds. If cardio’s advised, many would jump on the treadmill, working up a sweat and ignoring all the weights around them. But remember, every type of exercise has its unique benefits.
While cardio can help shed weight swiftly, weight training is excellent for building lean muscle. Both have different results, but the key to effective weight loss lies mostly in your diet. Keep eating habits in check, and weight loss is sure to follow. 90% of your weight loss results come from your diet.
Even with 10+ hours of workouts per week, you still have 168 hours to disrupt your progress with poor eating choices. If you’re serious about losing weight effectively, plan a diet to match your workout routine. Swap junk food, processed food, and sugary drinks for fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. A well-balanced diet will complement any workout routine and enhance its effectiveness.
Cardio’s great for burning calories. There’s a wide range to choose from, like walking, jogging, sprinting, or Zumba. Want to burn fat? Low-intensity steady-state exercises such as walking are perfect as they burn fats more efficiently compared to jog or sprint. That’s because fat requires more oxygen to be metabolized into energy. Additionally, cardio improves fitness levels and builds stamina.
But beware, cardio can get dull, especially if confined to a treadmill or elliptical indoors. It’s also a consistent type of exercise meaning it might not equip you for sudden, intense physical stress. And while it is true a long cardio session could burn 500-800 calories, remember it’s a time commitment, and boredom could set in.
Weight training, on the other hand, often gets ignored due to misconceptions of bulking up, especially among women. However, it’s a great way to burn calories long after your workout. Besides, resistance training mainly results in fat loss, as opposed to cardio, which could lead to loss of varied body mass. You also have a choice in the intensity of weightlifting, including light weights for lots of reps or heavier ones for fewer. Mixing these styles is recommended for optimal results.
Choose weight training if you’re interested in shaping muscles while burning calories, strengthening muscles and joints, burning calories at rest, or starting with strength training at home or in a gym.
In conclusion, weight loss relies not only on workout type but also diet. If you have a lot to lose, cardio is a great option due to its high-calorie burn rate. If you want a toned body, introducing resistance workouts is beneficial. Ideally, mixing both, under the guidance of a personal trainer, will lead to the best results. Remember, it’s your journey, so choose what suits you best.
