Cardio or weights for getting the lbs off???

annaashworth2688

Hi, I am only interested in losing weight (for now) and getting my fitness level up so i'm not out of breath at ridiculously small exercises! And I only really do cardio at the gym (x-trainer, cycling, treadmill) but people have suggested I do weight exercises too, or even instead of cardio exercises altogether.

Anyone got any advice?

msf74

Do both.

You won't regret it.

You don't have to pick a side

rybo

Diet first, but a combination of both is best. It doesn't have to be an either or. You could do only one or only the other, and still get results, but it's all going to boil down to what you eat too.

999tigger

As above moderating food comsumption first, but otherwise its both cardio and weights as they do different things which complement each other.

thankyou4thevenom

Both will increase your overall fitness and aid in your weightloss.

labohn91

If you are a beginner (have the ability to hit higher weights every time you hit the gym) you can loss fat and gain muscle. Do both like @rybo said it will help you out more.

dizzieblondeuk

I concentrated on my diet initially, and then worked on my core stability and strength using pilates. Only when I was improving doing that did I add in cardio. Now, 8 weeks in, I'm adding strength training into the mix. For me, overweight and VERY unfit, this was the right thing for me to do. I didn't want to start strength training, constantly worried that it would exacerbate my bad back. Now though, I've seen a huge improvement in my core strength, I still have a long way to go with cardio fitness, but I feel it's the right time to start strength training too. In a usual work-out, I'm doing 50/50 cardio/strength. I utilised my gym's service of a trainer putting together a progressive work-out routine, and taking me through equipement set-up etc - is that something you can do at your's? It definitely helped me not get overwhelmed at not knowing which weight machines I should use, and how to use them safely and to the maximum effect. I only use 3-4 different stations, and haven't started on free weights just yet. Again, I'm definitely in the 'small steps' camp, it works for me!

Witchdoctor58

Muscle burns fat. You will look and feel better with a program that incorporates both. You also should not only have a calorie goal, but it should be an appropriate mix of healthy fats, healthy carbs (eat your veggies) and protein. I like Chalean Extreme from Beachbody for beginner and intermediate. This is a balanced program that should meet your goals right now.

BrianSharpe

Both, but no matter how many marathons you run or how much you can bench press losing fat requires eating at a caloric deficit.

accidentalpancake

Diet is primary, add others have said.

After that, 80% lifting, 20% cardio would be my recommendation.

amtru2015

Got to do both but diet is most important.

cozworth

Think of it this way, cardio burns fat while you are doing it. Lifting weights adds muscle. Muscle burns calories ALL DAY. So, roughly speaking, the more muscle you have the less cardio you will need to do to maintain your weight. If you really want to dig into this issue there is a little more you could read up on but that is the 10 second version. But, as others have said, the most important exercise is pushing yourself away from the fridge when you about eat something your shouldn't.

Even if you only add a little bit of muscle (think muscle tone - not bulk) I think you will notice the improvement in your weight loss. Good luck!

_Waffle_

Why not both?

ElJefeChief

So-called cardio exercise is the most efficient at burning calories - which then adds to your daily calorie deficit, making it easier to lose weight. My understanding is the two cardio exercises which are most effective for burning calories are cross-country skiing, followed by running.

Strength training is great, but doesn't burn nearly as many calories as cardio. However, there is the argument to be made that if you have muscle mass, you're more likely to raise your TDEE even when you're not particularly active. Also, muscle mass helps prevent injuries, and (particularly when your body fat percentage is low) looks just plain awesome.

I don't currently do weights because of a series of injuries and some degenerative joint issues I've suffered over the last few years, but it's definitely in my plans to get back to it. I'm getting very skinny very fast and I'd love to see some muscle definition, now that I don't have a layer of blubber covering up my muscles.

SonyaCele

diet to get the weight off.

cwolfman13

your diet is going to have far more impact on your weight management than what exercise you're doing. diet for weight control; exercise for fitness.

i've been maintaining for over two years...I cycle on average about 60 - 80 miles per week...I run a couple of 5Ks per week...I lift 2-3x per week...walk my dog, etc. I did this when I was losing weight...I'm not maintaining weight...and I've gained weight doing all of that. The difference between losing, maintaining, and gaining isn't my exercise...it is my calories in.

as a matter of general fitness, you should do both cardiovascular work for your cardiovascular health and resistance training for your muscular skeletal health.

LaurenAOK

jami53033

I do both. I am definitely in love with high intensity training. I noticed at one point I plateaued and had to switch it up. My diet has always been good also. When I added hiit with dieting I noticed the weight was coming off.

Drewlssix

DrEnalg wrote: »

So-called cardio exercise is the most efficient at burning calories - which then adds to your daily calorie deficit, making it easier to lose weight. My understanding is the two cardio exercises which are most effective for burning calories are cross-country skiing, followed by running.

Strength training is great, but doesn't burn nearly as many calories as cardio. However, there is the argument to be made that if you have muscle mass, you're more likely to raise your TDEE even when you're not particularly active. Also, muscle mass helps prevent injuries, and (particularly when your body fat percentage is low) looks just plain awesome.

I don't currently do weights because of a series of injuries and some degenerative joint issues I've suffered over the last few years, but it's definitely in my plans to get back to it. I'm getting very skinny very fast and I'd love to see some muscle definition, now that I don't have a layer of blubber covering up my muscles.

Doing cardio to chase down excess calories is not imo a productive cycle to start. Get your calories in in line then add calories as needed to support your exercise while maintaining a deficit, assuming weight loss is the goal.

piperdown44

I do HIIT or cardio for helping my asthma ( whole cardiovascular system) and lifting to hold onto muscle.
None of them would make much a difference if I hadn't gotten the calories under control (27lbs down since May).
Start in the kitchen and work from there.

cruzmom123

Do both! I made the mistake of only doing cardio, I dropped 40 pounds but became "skinny fat". Now I am lifting weights to tone up my body!

arditarose

cruzmom123 wrote: »

Do both! I made the mistake of only doing cardio, I dropped 40 pounds but became "skinny fat". Now I am lifting weights to tone up my body!

And so many people post on here saying they regret not lifting in a deficit.

OP, lift now. It does amazing things for your body. I know I'm not perfect but if you take a look at my pictures in my profile, the bit of muscle definition I have is all from lifting in a deficit.

ElJefeChief

Drewlssix wrote: »

DrEnalg wrote: »

So-called cardio exercise is the most efficient at burning calories - which then adds to your daily calorie deficit, making it easier to lose weight. My understanding is the two cardio exercises which are most effective for burning calories are cross-country skiing, followed by running.

Strength training is great, but doesn't burn nearly as many calories as cardio. However, there is the argument to be made that if you have muscle mass, you're more likely to raise your TDEE even when you're not particularly active. Also, muscle mass helps prevent injuries, and (particularly when your body fat percentage is low) looks just plain awesome.

I don't currently do weights because of a series of injuries and some degenerative joint issues I've suffered over the last few years, but it's definitely in my plans to get back to it. I'm getting very skinny very fast and I'd love to see some muscle definition, now that I don't have a layer of blubber covering up my muscles.

Doing cardio to chase down excess calories is not imo a productive cycle to start. Get your calories in in line then add calories as needed to support your exercise while maintaining a deficit, assuming weight loss is the goal.

Leaving aside the issue of strength training (which I also advocate):

A binge-purge mentality is always bad and I don't see anyone advocating that. However, cardio feels good, is good for you, and makes the job of achieving a sufficient caloric deficit easier.

I think it's a win-win. If someone's mindset is such that they use exercise as a way to purge themselves, then sure, that's a problem - but that's the problem with the mindset, not with the strategy of using exercise as a tool for achieving one's ideal body weight and peak fitness.

Exercise legitimately exists both a good in and of itself as well as a means to an end in the weight loss game - they aren't mutually exclusive.