cardio-vs-weights which is better for weight loss??

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Replies

  • ilovedeadlifts
    ilovedeadlifts Posts: 2,923 Member
    i vote for weights.
  • EvaB93
    EvaB93 Posts: 101
    Both are great
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Fat loss or weight loss?

    A deficit will get you weight loss regardless if it is from diet alone or diet and exercise. That said the less you have to lose the more as a % of your weight loss will come from lean muscle unless you get adequate protein, partake in a heavy lifting strength training routine and only have a small deficit.

    So Weight loss comes from a caloric deficit (regardless how you get there)
    Fat loss comes mainly from a deficit while combining strength training.
    You will get fat loss with just the deficit but the % of weight loss that comes from fat will be higher when you incorporate strength training.
  • Matt_Wild
    Matt_Wild Posts: 2,673 Member
    In calories burnt in terms of time taken and calories burnt in the SESSION you just did, cardio is the higher burner, esp with HIIT. However doing weights and gained muscle will help.

    So it depends on many things TBH...
  • Koriallen15
    Koriallen15 Posts: 1 Member
    You should do both weight training and cardio, but the most important thing is your diet! Just a few pointer for you, you should try your best to do your cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, anywhere from 30-60min. I recommend switching your cardio from low intensity one day ( 15% incline on treadmill,3-4mph), to High intensity (HIT Training) example... Jog on treadmill at 3mph for two min, then run at 6-8 mph for one min. Keep doing that until you hit 30min. That will burn alot of calories for you. As far as your diet, try and eat slow carbs (brown rice, sweet potatoes,etc) with your diet. Keep up the good job and don't quit you'll get there.
  • richafoster
    richafoster Posts: 6
    Several people have hit the nail on the head. It's not either/or but both along with nutrition. My personal trainer explained it as a pyramid with nutrition supporting strength training and cardio at the top. Weight training changes the metabolism and really has nothing to do with toning per se', but I guess that's not a bad by-product. Cardio will burn calories for the time you engage in the activity, Strength training will continue to burn calories AFTER your workout while the muscles recover. I really don't pay attention to fat or carbs but focus on calorie deficit. I need protein to support the strength training, so I'll have a protein shake after lifting.

    The first month of working with a trainer I only lost 2 pounds, but 11 inches total, 3 from the waist alone, and 2% body fat. If you aren't measuring your neck, chest, shoulders, hips, waist and so on, you should. That will show progress from the strength training, even if the scale doesn't.

    My wife, who is also over 40, has seen great results as well with this approach. Our workout schedule has been weights twice a week, light cardio (20 mins) on weight days, and more intense cardio 3 - 4 days on non-lifting days. We've recently taken our cardio workout outside on road bikes, riding upwards to 100 miles a week.

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