Cardio or strength training. Pick a side!
wtliftchick
Posts: 84 Member
I'm just not into cardio these days. I injured my foot and it's taking forever to heal. I feel like the low impact modifications I can do during cardio make it too easy. And I just don't like cardio. I get bored, I don't like getting too sweaty, it messes up my hair. Silly, yes, but that's how I feel.
What are your thoughts on sticking solely with strength training? Can one still lose weight with only strength training? I work out five to six days a week. I do walk a lot. I have a dog so I average two hours a day walking. (Lucky dog) I'm trying to lose about five pounds.
What are your thoughts on sticking solely with strength training? Can one still lose weight with only strength training? I work out five to six days a week. I do walk a lot. I have a dog so I average two hours a day walking. (Lucky dog) I'm trying to lose about five pounds.
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Replies
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You loose weight with your diet.11
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Do both then, do what you love.3
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I do both but if I could only do one it would be strength training. I sweat like a dog regardless of the type of workout so my hair always gets messed up!2
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i started only strength training after my knee injury and had to stop running. i gained 25 pounds but i dont care because i'm in beast mode now and love lifting. but i also eat, a lot.2
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Cardio, not on the dreadmill though. Go outside and cycle or run, have an adventure and get that blood flowing. I do not do any strength training because to me that is boring. Picking up things and putting them down..there is probably a way to make it fun but i have not found it yet. It is just too stationary for me.5
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Pretty much everything I've achieved physique wise has been done with diet and strength training. When I was pretty fat I did cardio for like an hour or two total per week but I cut it out pretty early. I normally would say you don't have to pick sides, but...I definitely pick strength training and body building. I have no cardio goals. I run across the street when the light is changing or scurry up the subway stairs for heart health3
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I've never really had fun with strength training, I do it because it's good for me. I do cardio because that's a side effect of having fun.0
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What are your thoughts on sticking solely with strength training?
Not for me - my goals include health, fitness, strength, enjoyment and challenging myself. For me that means both cardio and strength training. Your body, your choice.
Can one still lose weight with only strength training?
No - you need a calorie deficit.
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Personally I need both to stay in good shape. I did only strength training for ages and I lost weigjt, felt fitter etc but when I added three cardio sessions a week the results really just took off. I do 3 days of each alternating and have a rest day on Sunday. In the best shape I've been in for years.1
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Currently only strength training on a slow bulk. Even as the scale climbs, the pants get looser. A good balance is best though.1
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If I had to pick between the two, I would do strength training. It provides much better results (given an equal diet) visually than just cardio.
But both should be done because they work different parts of your body (cardiovascular vs skeletal).1 -
If I could do only one thing? Jazzercise, probably. That kept me aerobically fit and built really nice and skinny, and it was so much fun it felt really good to do. There are some pushups and stuff but it's mostly cardio and weights so light they can't do much of anything.
I am vey happy now to be stronger, it's cool, but as far as looks and health I am not sure that anything trumps aerobic fitness and low body fat and workouts you really find enjoyable and fun, mentally satisfying?0 -
Strength training over cardio every time! But, I seriously began to lose weight when I bought and began to faithfully use a food scale.2
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If you only want to strength train, then you should do it. You don't "have" to do cardio if you hate it. Plus, you are already walking a lot. You will lose weight by eating in a calorie deficit, regardless of the type of exercise you do.3
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I'm hoping that the daily walks are enough. (Combined with eating right and weight lifting.) I was ok with running for the last few years but this foot injury really has me sidelined. A big part of not wanting to do cardio is also the fact that I cant physically push myself as hard as I used to. It makes me feel like, why bother? Honestly, it's a little depressing. Even though I don't like doing cardio, the fact that I can't really do it right now stinks. I want it to be my choice!0
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Cardio for me - as I'm primarily interested in losing weight at the moment (i.e. running along with having a calorie deficit). Once I've got my weight down a bit I might start doing some strength stuff.0
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Cardio for me - as I'm primarily interested in losing weight at the moment (i.e. running along with having a calorie deficit). Once I've got my weight down a bit I might start doing some strength stuff.
Lifting while losing weight is a great option though. It changes your body composition and helps maintain muscle mass.6 -
I like seeing progress in both0
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I've heard that lifting weights and building muscle helps you burn more calories. As in, a muscular person sitting on the couch watching tv will burn more calories than a non muscular person sitting doing nothing. I hope that's true!
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wtliftchick wrote: »I've heard that lifting weights and building muscle helps you burn more calories. As in, a muscular person sitting on the couch watching tv will burn more calories than a non muscular person sitting doing nothing. I hope that's true!
For every lb of muscle you gain, its an increase in metabolic rate of about 4 to 6 calories. So you would have to gain a good amount of muscle to make a difference.1 -
wtliftchick wrote: »I've heard that lifting weights and building muscle helps you burn more calories. As in, a muscular person sitting on the couch watching tv will burn more calories than a non muscular person sitting doing nothing. I hope that's true!
For every lb of muscle you gain, its an increase in metabolic rate of about 4 to 6 calories. So you would have to gain a good amount of muscle to make a difference.
Per day, not per hour. Just to clarify.
As to the OP, I like 'em both for different reasons and a balance of both is optimal IMO. No reason to choose between them unless you're somehow physically unable to do one or the other. But weight loss comes from calorie deficit, regardless of how you create it.1 -
wtliftchick wrote: »I'm just not into cardio these days. I injured my foot and it's taking forever to heal. I feel like the low impact modifications I can do during cardio make it too easy. And I just don't like cardio. I get bored, I don't like getting too sweaty, it messes up my hair. Silly, yes, but that's how I feel.
What are your thoughts on sticking solely with strength training? Can one still lose weight with only strength training? I work out five to six days a week. I do walk a lot. I have a dog so I average two hours a day walking. (Lucky dog) I'm trying to lose about five pounds.
Walking is cardio.
http://scoobysworkshop.com/cardio/
I think it is good to do both for your health. Do what you like doing.0 -
Both. Cardio has been great for improving my lungs, weight loss, and general endurance, but when I was going to the gym the strength training built more strength in my lumbar (I have degenerated discs from a seriously bad lifestyle in my teens, so the extra strength helps a lot). Hope to be able to go back soon, but in the mean time plenty of squats to keep my legs strong.0
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I don't wanna choose and you can't make me. I love them both in different ways.
This is my stance, with the added bonus of the picture.
I generally lean more towards Cardio in my current workouts but I love the strength classes I do. As soon as I'm at the weight I'm happy with I'm going to cut down on Cardio and incorporate a true weight program. I could do it now but I still love my Cardio classes a bit too much to cut down at the moment
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I can't just do one or the other! I love cardio and endurance training but I need to lift weights as well. What I have recently started doing is circuits of strength and cardio in one session to knock two birds with one stone.0
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Diet for losing weight, strength training for looking good and cardio for overall fitness. I do all three, but I prefer cardio as I am a marathon runner.0
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Cardio all the way. I'm trying to lean up0
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