Cardio VS weight lifting

Which shows results faster, which has the most impact? What worked for you
«1

Replies

  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    Depends on your goals and diet.

    My goal is body recomp. with a major focus on fat loss. Eating 15% under TDEE and strength training has helped me more than cardio has.
  • graciepecie
    graciepecie Posts: 135 Member
    BUMP
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    Cardio always will do the fat loss faster. It did for me anyway. Weights would not have gotten that off as fast.
  • Cardio always will do the fat loss faster. It did for me anyway. Weights would not have gotten that off as fast.

    Not the case at all with a lot of women though, just to add. Plenty find they see changes in body shape much quicker through lifting. To say cardio will always lose fat quicker is misleading, and not true in every case anyway.
  • shred_me_up
    shred_me_up Posts: 267 Member
    What works for me is HIIT as cardio, and strength training. This preserves muscle mass while getting fat off (assuming you are eating at a deficit).
  • phjorg1
    phjorg1 Posts: 642 Member
    both.
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    Cardio always will do the fat loss faster. It did for me anyway. Weights would not have gotten that off as fast.

    Your first statement is false.

    As I stated before, weight training is causing me to lose more fat than cardio ever did. I might agree with you had you said FOR ME, cardio did the fat loss faster.
  • SarahSmilesCA
    SarahSmilesCA Posts: 261 Member
    Cardio and Resistance Training are BOTH important. Do both to see the best results. No Joke, anyone telling you otherwise is just not giving you the truth. You can reduce weight using either, but what good is strength without endurance and what good is endurance without strength? I want both. If you can lift 250 lbs but can't run around the block without getting winded what good is that? If you can run 10 miles but strain your back bringing in the groceries you have problems...Do both.

    Cardio improves the cardiovascular system (who could use a healthier heart??? all of us) and burns calories which keeps you in a constant calorie deficit. That is a GOOD thing.

    But resistance training builds bone density (really important to women as they age) and muscle which increases metabolism. This helps you burn fat more efficiently and keeps it from returning to your body...who wants to get fat again?

    Long story short. Do both for the best results and best health.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    Cardio always will do the fat loss faster. It did for me anyway. Weights would not have gotten that off as fast.

    Your first statement is false.

    As I stated before, weight training is causing me to lose more fat than cardio ever did. I might agree with you had you said FOR ME, cardio did the fat loss faster.

    I did say for me. Read it again. I did nothing BUT cardio, still do nothing but cardio. Lost all the fat as well & have the muscles to show for it.
  • koootenay
    koootenay Posts: 126 Member
    Cardio and Resistance Training are BOTH important. Do both to see the best results. No Joke, anyone telling you otherwise is just not giving you the truth. You can reduce weight using either, but what good is strength without endurance and what good is endurance without strength? I want both. If you can lift 250 lbs but can't run around the block without getting winded what good is that? If you can run 10 miles but strain your back bringing in the groceries you have problems...Do both.

    Cardio improves the cardiovascular system (who could use a healthier heart??? all of us) and burns calories which keeps you in a constant calorie deficit. That is a GOOD thing.

    But resistance training builds bone density (really important to women as they age) and muscle which increases metabolism. This helps you burn fat more efficiently and keeps it from returning to your body...who wants to get fat again?

    Long story short. Do both for the best results and best health.


    Agreed!
  • shortie_sarah
    shortie_sarah Posts: 177 Member
    Cardio and Resistance Training are BOTH important. Do both to see the best results. No Joke, anyone telling you otherwise is just not giving you the truth. You can reduce weight using either, but what good is strength without endurance and what good is endurance without strength? I want both. If you can lift 250 lbs but can't run around the block without getting winded what good is that? If you can run 10 miles but strain your back bringing in the groceries you have problems...Do both.

    Cardio improves the cardiovascular system (who could use a healthier heart??? all of us) and burns calories which keeps you in a constant calorie deficit. That is a GOOD thing.

    But resistance training builds bone density (really important to women as they age) and muscle which increases metabolism. This helps you burn fat more efficiently and keeps it from returning to your body...who wants to get fat again?

    Long story short. Do both for the best results and best health.

    I agree with this and may I suggest a good beginner's workout that alternates both cardio and strength? P90. (Power 90). It's a great full body workout. Cardio one day then strength the next. 6 days a week, one day off.
  • Markguns
    Markguns Posts: 554 Member
    Cardio and Resistance Training are BOTH important. Do both to see the best results. No Joke, anyone telling you otherwise is just not giving you the truth. You can reduce weight using either, but what good is strength without endurance and what good is endurance without strength? I want both. If you can lift 250 lbs but can't run around the block without getting winded what good is that? If you can run 10 miles but strain your back bringing in the groceries you have problems...Do both.

    Cardio improves the cardiovascular system (who could use a healthier heart??? all of us) and burns calories which keeps you in a constant calorie deficit. That is a GOOD thing.

    But resistance training builds bone density (really important to women as they age) and muscle which increases metabolism. This helps you burn fat more efficiently and keeps it from returning to your body...who wants to get fat again?

    Long story short. Do both for the best results and best health.

    ^^ this
  • Cait_Sidhe
    Cait_Sidhe Posts: 3,150 Member
    I personally prefer lifting over cardio. But I still do both. I don't see why it has to be this VS that. Both are beneficial.
  • soldiergrl_101
    soldiergrl_101 Posts: 2,205 Member
    I like the idea of doing both maybe 20 min of running and 30 minutes of strength training, ill try that. Now will this help cellulite or is that all diet?
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    Cardio always will do the fat loss faster. It did for me anyway. Weights would not have gotten that off as fast.

    Your first statement is false.

    As I stated before, weight training is causing me to lose more fat than cardio ever did. I might agree with you had you said FOR ME, cardio did the fat loss faster.

    I did say for me. Read it again. I did nothing BUT cardio, still do nothing but cardio. Lost all the fat as well & have the muscles to show for it.

    You read it again. You started with "cardio will always do the fat loss faster." You didn't qualify that with "for me" until the next statement making your first statement appear to be the end all be all answer...which it is not.
  • shutupandlift13
    shutupandlift13 Posts: 727 Member
    Why is it always cardio vs. weightlifting? Or cardio OR weightlifting?

    They aren't mutually exclusive and if anything, if you are close to goal weight, lifting with a small deficit is going to give you the best results body composition wise, cardio being purely preferential.

    - Pick up New Rules of Lifting for Women, read it, follow it
    - Find out your TDEE, eat about 0.5-1lb less in calories per week
    - Eat at least 100g of protein
    - Eat at least 0.3g fat per lb of bodyweight
    - Do cardio when you feel like it (preferably short HIIT sessions a couple times a week if your schedule is tight or some longer LISS sessions on a bike... no running a marathon three times a week... or really anything much over a couple miles or 20-30min)
    - Track your food as accurately as possible, weigh, measure everything that goes in your mouth
    - Do this for 6-8 weeks and ENJOY!

    PS DON'T YOU DARE POST A THREAD IN 1-2 WEEKS COMPLAINING ABOUT GAINING WEIGHT. 1) Its water retention in your muscles from lifting heavy things 2) It will eventually go away and sometimes pop up again when you least expect it. 3) Make sure you're eating, don't be afraid to actually eat, oh yeah, and EAT.

    PPS The cellulite mystery still eludes me, all I know is that mine has gotten better/less noticeable as I've dropped body fat and been lifting. Anecdotal evidence, completely, but as long as its not getting worse, I'll keep doing my thing.
  • shutupandlift13
    shutupandlift13 Posts: 727 Member
    Cardio always will do the fat loss faster. It did for me anyway. Weights would not have gotten that off as fast.

    Fat loss? False. Weightloss? True.

    Personally, I don't really dig the low number on the scale and still pudgy look.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Cardio and Resistance Training are BOTH important. Do both to see the best results. No Joke, anyone telling you otherwise is just not giving you the truth. You can reduce weight using either, but what good is strength without endurance and what good is endurance without strength? I want both. If you can lift 250 lbs but can't run around the block without getting winded what good is that? If you can run 10 miles but strain your back bringing in the groceries you have problems...Do both.

    Cardio improves the cardiovascular system (who could use a healthier heart??? all of us) and burns calories which keeps you in a constant calorie deficit. That is a GOOD thing.

    But resistance training builds bone density (really important to women as they age) and muscle which increases metabolism. This helps you burn fat more efficiently and keeps it from returning to your body...who wants to get fat again?

    Long story short. Do both for the best results and best health.

    this!!!!
  • mcibty
    mcibty Posts: 1,252 Member
    Both. Together.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    Cardio always will do the fat loss faster. It did for me anyway. Weights would not have gotten that off as fast.

    Fat loss? False. Weightloss? True.

    Personally, I don't really dig the low number on the scale and still pudgy look.

    Neither do I....I guess that would be why I can fit into kids clothing now & be a low number on the scale at the same time.... all without the fat being there. :flowerforyou:
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Which shows results faster, which has the most impact? What worked for you

    First off what do you mean by "results"? How are you measuring those "results"?

    If you are starting off aerobically unfit and without much muscle strength then you can show quick improvements in both areas.

    You have to first decide YOUR goals and then select your diet and exercise plan to support you in getting to those goals.

    Example:
    When I was primarilly focussed on an endurance cycle challenge my cardio took priority and recomp took a back seat. So that was a mixture of low and high intensity cardio three times a week with weight training secondary twice a week to maintain strength.

    Now I've completed my cycle event I've flipped it round to 3 x strength workouts and 2 x cardio as my focus has changed to a recomp.

    Both cardio and resistance training are important for health.
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    Which shows results faster, which has the most impact? What worked for you

    Eating at a deficit.
  • jamielynas
    jamielynas Posts: 366 Member
    HIIT and a lifting program that fits your goals and you find enjoyable, for me, HIIT everyday for 30-40 mins and PHAT :)
  • littlebuddy84
    littlebuddy84 Posts: 995 Member
    Cardio and Resistance Training are BOTH important. Do both to see the best results. No Joke, anyone telling you otherwise is just not giving you the truth. You can reduce weight using either, but what good is strength without endurance and what good is endurance without strength? I want both. If you can lift 250 lbs but can't run around the block without getting winded what good is that? If you can run 10 miles but strain your back bringing in the groceries you have problems...Do both.

    Cardio improves the cardiovascular system (who could use a healthier heart??? all of us) and burns calories which keeps you in a constant calorie deficit. That is a GOOD thing.

    But resistance training builds bone density (really important to women as they age) and muscle which increases metabolism. This helps you burn fat more efficiently and keeps it from returning to your body...who wants to get fat again?

    Long story short. Do both for the best results and best health.
    Totally agree with you!
  • mperrott2205
    mperrott2205 Posts: 737 Member
    Why would you want to just do one or the other...
  • RaggedyPond
    RaggedyPond Posts: 1,487 Member
    Bump for later reading. I have been basically only doing cardio and even though I lost a good amount of weight and I am smaller.. I am still the same pudgy shape in the belly area.
  • divaindy
    divaindy Posts: 108 Member
    Both you are into your vanity pounds now and may not get the look you want from doing just one.
  • kitka82
    kitka82 Posts: 350 Member
    Why would you want to just do one or the other...

    Exactly. When I started working out, I did a lot of full-body combination workouts. I always did cardio and strength training (with dumbbells at first). Then I did weights only, and didn't lose scale weight, but lost body fat. I still want to lose 35 pounds (like, on the scale), so I'm still doing more cardio than weights. I suppose if I want to focus on losing body fat and defining muscle, I will do more weight training (or much heavier with low reps, that is).
  • Iron_Lotus
    Iron_Lotus Posts: 2,295 Member
    Cardio did nothing for me. Once I started weight training my body changed, I lost weight with cardio but didn't look anywhere near as good as I look now.
  • MasterKat
    MasterKat Posts: 149
    Cardio and Resistance Training are BOTH important. Do both to see the best results. No Joke, anyone telling you otherwise is just not giving you the truth. You can reduce weight using either, but what good is strength without endurance and what good is endurance without strength? I want both. If you can lift 250 lbs but can't run around the block without getting winded what good is that? If you can run 10 miles but strain your back bringing in the groceries you have problems...Do both.

    Cardio improves the cardiovascular system (who could use a healthier heart??? all of us) and burns calories which keeps you in a constant calorie deficit. That is a GOOD thing.

    But resistance training builds bone density (really important to women as they age) and muscle which increases metabolism. This helps you burn fat more efficiently and keeps it from returning to your body...who wants to get fat again?

    Long story short. Do both for the best results and best health.



    AGREE AGREE AGREE.....:smile: