Why Strength Training is better

peaceinside

Bumpity bump!

randilynn113

Why does it seem that these posts are always an either/or situation? Here's an idea - do both. Both strength training and cardio have things going for them. So, don't just lift weights and don't just run.
I do days of lifting, days of running and days where I do running mixed in with other things like pushups, situps, lunges and crunches.

Exactly. I'm a firm believer that you have to do cardio and strength training to get the best results. But honestly, I don't care what other people do. They're not losing my weight......I'm the only one that can do that.

^^ I agree 100%

psuLemon

So what if you do both intense cardio and strength training? Is that counter productive?

If you do them on the same day, your body can end up fighting for resources to repair your systems which might take away from receiving the full benefit of each but if you do them on different days, you should be fine. What I suggest is doing HIIT instead of plain cardio where you have interval speeds.

erickirb

It's important to DO BOTH. That is all.

NOT FOR FAT LOSS.

For fat loss all you need is a caloric deficit and to do strength training so you don't lose lean muscle while in said deficit.

You can achieve the deficit from diet alone, or a combination of diet and exercise, but the smaller your deficit is the higher the % fat loss will be (vs. losing lean muscle)

psuLemon

So admittedly I should have titled this different. "ST is better for FAT LOSS" is what I should have wrote.

amem07

Ok so this is good for me. I am a cardio only person..... always have been.

As far as strenght training - what should I bo doing? I do go to a gym so I have access to weights and machines but i wouldn't even know where to start?

What exercises should I do? Or follow some type of program?


Thanks for any help!

lisaisso

awesome post.
thanks!

erickirb

Ok so this is good for me. I am a cardio only person..... always have been.

As far as strenght training - what should I bo doing? I do go to a gym so I have access to weights and machines but i wouldn't even know where to start?

What exercises should I do? Or follow some type of program?


Thanks for any help!

Focus on a routine that incorporates Compound movements and has you lift heavy weights (low to moderate reps). check out New Rules of Lifting for Women, Starting strength, Stronglifts 5x5, or other programs designed around compound movements.

amem07

Thanks! I am going to look into those! That book " New Rules of Lifting for Women" looks pretty good! I might have to pick it up!

HorrorChix89

So admittedly I should have titled this different. "ST is better for FAT LOSS" is what I should have wrote.

Would've saved 3 pages of yelling, but where's the fun in that?

seateame

Lost before on simply cardio.. run run and more run. It worked but I got injured from repetition.

This time round i've mixed them up, and found that whilst dropping off the running a bit has saved my legs, the strength work has given me just that, strength, which has in turn made the running easier and less injury prone. No more muscle imbalances, a stronger core..

Both for me.. never will be able to beat the freedom and space a good run gives you, health benefits aside!

psuLemon

So admittedly I should have titled this different. "ST is better for FAT LOSS" is what I should have wrote.

Would've saved 3 pages of yelling, but where's the fun in that?

I understand and as many people know, I am a huge advocate for both. But recently, there has been a lot of questions about fat loss and plateaus, so I thought I would drop some research to why I put my methods, lol.

myak623

Conditioner is better, it leaves the hair silky and smooth!

HorrorChix89

You now that's not allowed on these forums...

UponThisRock

So admittedly I should have titled this different. "ST is better for FAT LOSS" is what I should have wrote.

"Lean mass retention during a fat loss phase" would have been even better.

watboy

Thanks Eric

The more you strength train, the more muscle you keep, the more muscle you keep the more fat you lose, the more fat you lose the less POUNDS you have to lose.

I love running, but I wish I started strength training earlier. My body shape changed while staying about the same weight. I can only imagine the change I would have had if I'd been lifting while I was still losing weight.

jmehere

bump

mes1119

Ok, but it is clearly evident that cardio is good for overall health?

Yea, you might see someone on the treadmill at the gym for too long everyday. Have you ever wondered that maybe heart disease runs in their family or any other cardiovascular disease and by running or jogging or cycling or swimming these people are helping break the cycle?

I really doubt anyone can say that cardio 3x a week is BAD for you. Especially in combination with a resistance training program.

delilah47

blah, blah, blah...

I get tired of seeing posts saying one is better than the other. Balance. Strength training is good, but everyone needs to be in good cardio shape for stamina and heart-health. Like I have posted before. I knew a body builder who couldn't run around the block, but won several local body building exhibitions.

This thread is like the one about which is heavier a pound of muscle or a pound of fat... there's a hundred of each...

myak623

blah, blah, blah...

I get tired of seeing posts saying one is better than the other. Balance. Strength training is good, but everyone needs to be in good cardio shape for stamina and heart-health. Like I have posted before. I knew a body builder who couldn't run around the block, but won several local body building exhibitions.

This thread is like the one about which is heavier a pound of muscle or a pound of fat... there's a hundred of each...

FAT LOSS, FAT LOSS, FAT LOSS. That is the point of the thread. Everyone has their reasons for either doing only cardio (running races), only strength training (body builder) or both (overall fitness). The point of the post was what is better for fat loss.

JennyZD

I am VERY pro strength training but I exercise because a) I love it and b) I want to be HEALTHY and FIT. So I'm a big advocate of doing a combination of both. I tend to do HIIT and weights. It's awesome my resting heart rate is in the 50s and I am still increasing my lean muscle mass.

AeolianHarp

Exactly, and you are better off doing HIIT instead of traditional cardio for fat loss.

Kind of, sort of. It makes no difference in the grand scheme of things, I assure you of this.

Read Lyle McDonald's series called "Steady State vs. Interval Training." It's a long series, one that took him a very long to write. Let's just say, HIIT is largely overrated and it's publicity it has received is silly.

The funniest part is when people use Sprinters to defend HIIT, which simply points to their ignorance. No Sprinter does HIIT. Sprint work is vastly different and I have done it. It's done in terms of metres and it can have long rest breaks depending on the length.

CouleeRunner

Thanks for the article...I will read later (on my phone now).

Can I ask a silly question? Is "Strength Training" purely lifting weights or does my kettlebell workouts and resistance band work outs count as well? I use a kettlebell weight that I find quite heavy.

Thanks!

psuLemon

Ok, but it is clearly evident that cardio is good for overall health?

Yea, you might see someone on the treadmill at the gym for too long everyday. Have you ever wondered that maybe heart disease runs in their family or any other cardiovascular disease and by running or jogging or cycling or swimming these people are helping break the cycle?

I really doubt anyone can say that cardio 3x a week is BAD for you. Especially in combination with a resistance training program.

I am not saying that cardio is bad for you, but you can also get the same affects of cardio through an anaerobic workout. Also, someone that reduces body fat and increases lean muscle mass will provide all the same affects as lots of cardio. Muscle is one of the largest controllers in your body for overall health. Reducing body fat (whether it's from cardio or ST) will reduce your cholesterol, improve immune systems, fight disease. The affects of obesity is what increases chances of heart disease.


This is merely a look at fat loss! It's that simple.

psuLemon

Exactly, and you are better off doing HIIT instead of traditional cardio for fat loss.

Kind of, sort of. It makes no difference in the grand scheme of things, I assure you of this.

Read Lyle McDonald's series called "Steady State vs. Interval Training." It's a long series, one that took him a very long to write. Let's just say, HIIT is largely overrated and it's publicity it has received is silly.

The funniest part is when people use Sprinters to defend HIIT, which simply points to their ignorance. No Sprinter does HIIT. Sprint work is vastly different and I have done it. It's done in terms of metres and it can have long rest breaks depending on the length.

I will have to read up on that. Thanks for the input.

psuLemon

Thanks for the article...I will read later (on my phone now).

Can I ask a silly question? Is "Strength Training" purely lifting weights or does my kettlebell workouts and resistance band work outs count as well? I use a kettlebell weight that I find quite heavy.

Thanks!

Anything that builds muscle or strength is considered strength training. Kettle bells are weighted so it's ST. Push ups and Pull ups are ST as it uses gravity and your body weight. All of which you can gain strength and muscle mass.

Bridget0927

Conditioner is better, it leaves the hair silky and smooth!

Stop looking at me Swan

psuLemon

blah, blah, blah...

I get tired of seeing posts saying one is better than the other. Balance. Strength training is good, but everyone needs to be in good cardio shape for stamina and heart-health. Like I have posted before. I knew a body builder who couldn't run around the block, but won several local body building exhibitions.

This thread is like the one about which is heavier a pound of muscle or a pound of fat... there's a hundred of each...

You obviously lack reading comprehension or a desire to educate yourself. Either way, I was showing the correlation between fat loss and ST vs cardio.

I am not talking about weight loss or stamina or overall health. I was simply pointing out that if your desire is fat loss, then ST is a more viable option.

Bridget0927

psulemon, I do both? would you say one should discontinue the cardio portion? or doing both is fine as long as your doing the strength training?

scubahsteve69

bump