Cardio or Strength?

LJA1968

I have 50 lbs still to lose and I'm wondering which is better to concentrate on ..... cardio or strength training? Advise would be appreciated. Thank you.

ninerbuff

Both.

fridayjustleft04

Definitely both. They're equally important. 30 mins of strength followed by 30 mins of cardio is the best way to do it, according to some recent studies.

megpapier

I agree 100%. Why not incorporate both?

CMmrsfloyd

I vote both, too. People say cardio burns calories 'right then' and muscle boosts your metabolism for later. Plus as many people point out here on MFP, losing fat is great but having muscle is what will make you really look good in your thinner form. :-) Last night for my workout I mixed it up - did little spurts of cardio stuff mixed with little spurts of working with my weights - I got a great workout (for me LOL), kept my heartrate up the whole time and was tired but not drop-dead exhausted at the end of it. There are lots of workout routines that mix up cardio with weights, if you need something to follow. Or you could try doing cardio one day, strength the next, etc. There are lots of different things you can do.

TeaBea

It's both - a little heavier on the cardio now (maybe) because you still have a ways to go. As you get closer, then shift to more towards strength training. Circuit workouts are great because they contain both cardio & strength aspects.

sc1572

BOTH! Both are equally important. When I started exercising everyday in 2010, I only did cardio. Of course, I noticed weight loss, but some fat just wouldn't budge! So, I started strength training and started getting more definition, more loss, and a slimmer figure.

MamaBear57

I also vote both!!!

eilis12

Agree. Both!

lockef

I have 50 lbs still to lose and I'm wondering which is better to concentrate on ..... cardio or strength training? Advise would be appreciated. Thank you.

You're probably missing the most important component in losing weight... diet.

You can train your butt off, but if your eating wrong, you won't lose any weight. You can still lose 50 pounds without working out, as long as you have a good diet.

sundancer1966

I agree - both are important, and you do not want to skip stretch either, a balanced workout is best. You may want to look into circuit training, or find a program that incorporates both. Jari Love has a couple good circuits, like burn 1,000 calories an hour. I am doing Chalean Extreme as my main workout, and I supplement extra cardio, from TurboFire and other work outs I have. Chalean Extreme has cardio and stretch, but I feel I need more cardio. I had lost 42 pounds from TurboFire, and I plan on losing at least 30 with Chalean Extreme (shorter length of time).

woou

both. i alternate every other day with 1 rest day. it's the power 90 program.

fridayjustleft04

I agree - both are important, and you do not want to skip stretch either, a balanced workout is best. You may want to look into circuit training, or find a program that incorporates both. Jari Love has a couple good circuits, like burn 1,000 calories an hour. I am doing Chalean Extreme as my main workout, and I supplement extra cardio, from TurboFire and other work outs I have. Chalean Extreme has cardio and stretch, but I feel I need more cardio. I had lost 42 pounds from TurboFire, and I plan on losing at least 30 with Chalean Extreme (shorter length of time).

Have you tried the hybrid schedule? I love it.

LJA1968

What is the hybrid schedule? Thank you for the input everyone. I will continue doing what I am doing which includes minor strength training and up my cardio as well.

4theking

Both can be beneficial but If I had to pick one I would pick strength training.

psych101

Do both!

I do!

I actually enjoy picking up heavy things more than I enjoy running these days!

stewartcarden

If you have the time , 3-4 workouts a week( vary what strength training you do each day) and 45 mins spent on strength and cardio

Been told best to do a warmup ( 5 mins or so ) first then do all your strength training ( could come to less than 45 mins , depends how much you do and what sets your doing that day) then do a mix of cardio workouts, i tend to do 30 mins on treadmill ( 5 mins running , 5 mins jogging/walking) then either a rowing machine or a cross trainer for the remainder.


Strength training builds muscle, muscle makes the body more efficient at what it does. Cardio is important for fat burning and for general well being of heart and lungs.


If bored of running try going for a swim , rowing machines , cross trainers, a sport ( MMA , thai boxing , BJJ , TKD, all great cardio workouts!)

fridayjustleft04

What is the hybrid schedule? Thank you for the input everyone. I will continue doing what I am doing which includes minor strength training and up my cardio as well.

The hybrid schedule is ChaLEAN Extreme and TurboFire. If you're a beginner, it might be a little intense..I was asking the person who mentioned they were doing CLX and supplementing with TF. It's a good program for anyone, though, provided you're up for a big challenge (if you're not used to intense cardio).