Resistance in elliptical and muscle

JStarDragon
JStarDragon Posts: 17 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi everyone, my goal is fat loss, though I would like to be fit and strong someday. For the past few weeks I mixed up my cardio and added weight training with machines. I noticed my body getting stronger but I also gained a few pounds. I have decided to add more cardio back in because I have the most success with weight loss and creating a manageable calorie deficit. If I increase resistance on the elliptical or bike am I essentially doing a kind of weight training/ muscle building as well. What does resistance do?

Replies

  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    JStarDragon wrote: »
    Hi everyone, my goal is fat loss, though I would like to be fit and strong someday. For the past few weeks I mixed up my cardio and added weight training with machines. I noticed my body getting stronger but I also gained a few pounds. I have decided to add more cardio back in because I have the most success with weight loss and creating a manageable calorie deficit. If I increase resistance on the elliptical or bike am I essentially doing a kind of weight training/ muscle building as well. What does resistance do?

    No, not really...and especially not in a calorie deficit.

    And the weight you gained was water attributable to you adding weights. You retain water to aid in repair of muscle...it's a good thing.
  • JStarDragon
    JStarDragon Posts: 17 Member
    I have heard it is very difficult to build muscle while eating in a calorie deficit, so what does weight training do when calories intake is low?
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    JStarDragon wrote: »
    I have heard it is very difficult to build muscle while eating in a calorie deficit, so what does weight training do when calories intake is low?

    It helps you preserve the muscle that you already have.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    JStarDragon wrote: »
    Hi everyone, my goal is fat loss, though I would like to be fit and strong someday. For the past few weeks I mixed up my cardio and added weight training with machines. I noticed my body getting stronger but I also gained a few pounds. I have decided to add more cardio back in because I have the most success with weight loss and creating a manageable calorie deficit. If I increase resistance on the elliptical or bike am I essentially doing a kind of weight training/ muscle building as well. What does resistance do?

    You'll improve your aerobic system slightly differently - body will likely need little to no extra muscle to accomplish more resistance.

    Actually, since a higher intensity then - energy source is more glucose then at lower levels - guess what the body response will be?
    Store more glucose in the muscles.

    That is stored with water.
    Guess what happens?

    Gain more water weight.

    You'd be better served with water weight gain from resistance training - as that will transform the body more.
    You'll appear to have lost weight even when you haven't.
    And how many people even see you on the scale naked in the morning!

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