Cardio or weights?

Sweettart
Sweettart Posts: 1,331 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Today I am going back to the gym and don't know what to concentrate on. I have 56 pounds to lose to get to my goal weight.

Should I just do cardio first to get rid of the fat? I carry most of my weight in my mid section.

Any advice would be appreciated.
«13

Replies

  • leojsivad
    leojsivad Posts: 124 Member
    *editing for clarity*

    I should say I mean that you should have cardio days AND weight days, not both on the same day.

    Do both.

    I find it beneficial to have equal cardio time to my weight time. Also, give yourself time for a stretch/rest day.

    This approach will help you retain your lean body mass while losing fat. It will be slower, but in the long run, it will keep your metabolism higher and help you lose weight.

    How many days do you work out per week?
  • fishgutzy
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    You'll get as many different suggestions as there will be replies.
    For me, because I have several key joints damaged by arthritis, I swim a lot and alternate using hand pads to add resistance training to the swimming element.
    I started working with a personal trainer at my Y to get a handle on how and what to do with weights.
    Some gyms, including my Y use the ActiTrax fitness system where you get a personalized workout for each visit and enter your metrics when done. The system is designed to keep the workout different and work the different muscle groups without getting bored. For those without limitations that I have, this has proven very helpful.
    Take advantage of any free fitness help your gym has. Most have full time fitness advisers that can help you get started in a way that does not injure you.
    And don't over do it. I didn't get to over 300 pounds over night. I didn't expect to turn into Aahnold overnight either. :bigsmile:
  • chsmith79
    chsmith79 Posts: 240 Member
    You need both cardio and weight lifting. I do Crossfit and I know you'll get a lot of negative comments about it. But, it incorporates both into one workout. I enjoy it, have fun, and feel destroyed afterwards. You actually burn calories by the energy use lifting weights. I use to say I'm going to get to XXX lbs. before I start lifting. After doing this a few times and researching, I was being stupid. A faster pace high rep. lower weight Circuit training type workout, gets your heart rate up and your "motor" going. THat's my opinion and you'll have many people say different things. I love Crossfit and it has worked for me. Having said that EVERYONE is different and Crossfit isn't for everybody. You need to find what works for you.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    *editing for clarity*

    I should say I mean that you should have cardio days AND weight days, not both on the same day.

    Do both.

    I find it beneficial to have equal cardio time to my weight time. Also, give yourself time for a stretch/rest day.

    This approach will help you retain your lean body mass while losing fat. It will be slower, but in the long run, it will keep your metabolism higher and help you lose weight.

    How many days do you work out per week?

    ^^This is what I've been doing, and it works well for me. The strength training signals your body to burn fat and that your muscle is needed. You will also burn more fat than glycogen during your cardio if you are adding strength training.
  • Determinednoob
    Determinednoob Posts: 2,001 Member
    You don't HAVE or NEED to do cardio or any exercise for that matter to lose weight. You only NEED a decifit of calories. The only exercise you NEED to not look like crap when you hit your goal weight is resistance training.
  • zaph0d
    zaph0d Posts: 1,172 Member
    If you had to pick only one or the other, then pick strength training.
  • ToughTulip
    ToughTulip Posts: 1,118 Member
    If you had to pick only one or the other, then pick strength training.

    Exactly!
    I personally do mostly strength training. The end result is better IMO
  • escloflowneCHANGED
    escloflowneCHANGED Posts: 3,038 Member
    BOTH!
  • BetterCrazyThanLazy
    BetterCrazyThanLazy Posts: 336
    BOTH!
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    You don't HAVE or NEED to do cardio or any exercise for that matter to lose weight. You only NEED a decifit of calories. The only exercise you NEED to not look like crap when you hit your goal weight is resistance training.

    ^ This
  • StephieF87
    StephieF87 Posts: 60 Member
    I do both.. Monday -Friday... On Monday, Wednesday and Fridays I do both cardio and strength, and on Tuesday and Thursday I just do cardio, seems to be working well, 27 pounds lost so far :) Hope this helps!
  • graceylou222
    graceylou222 Posts: 198 Member
    Definately both!! always, I usually do 30 min of strength training 2 to 3 days a week, and then either run or do the elliptical for at least 30 min after. I have heard it is better to do cardio first but because of my work and personal trainers schedule that's just how it works out for me. On the other days I do Zumba!!
  • mattack
    mattack Posts: 137 Member
    Lift weights.
  • Determinednoob
    Determinednoob Posts: 2,001 Member
    You don't HAVE or NEED to do cardio or any exercise for that matter to lose weight. You only NEED a decifit of calories. The only exercise you NEED to not look like crap when you hit your goal weight is resistance training.

    ^ This

    I agree with this guy
  • iLoveMyPitbull1225
    iLoveMyPitbull1225 Posts: 1,690 Member
    Both!!!!!! Please!!!!
  • Mr_Bad_Example
    Mr_Bad_Example Posts: 2,403 Member
    If you had to pick only one or the other, then pick strength training.

    That's the best advice, I think. I do both, but the majority of my exercise routine is built around resistance/strength training. The cardio can be a good way to let your muscles rest for a bit without letting your heart rate drop, which is helpful to burn calories.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Both.

    It's like bacon and cheeseburgers. Or chocolate and peanut butter. Each is good on it's own, but wonderful together.
  • gc_tweety
    gc_tweety Posts: 205 Member
    Both!
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    A certain amount of strength training is good for you, but, strictly to lose fat, do cardio and keep maintaining a calorie deficit. Diet is still the most important thing.
  • talamer
    talamer Posts: 516 Member
    From my opinion, Cardio is a must! it will burn that fat easy and faster than strength training!
    For sure u will need strength training as well! you can tone up ur body and replace that fat with some muscles ;) so depends on the time u have, u can do what ever u want!

    I do 35-40 mins cardio and 50-60 mins Strength training (4-5 times a week)

    Just set a schedule that will fit u! and will keeps u motivated and never get bored!

    Hopefully something I say will help! feel free to pm me for any extra info.

    Talal
  • Determinednoob
    Determinednoob Posts: 2,001 Member
    I copied this from some thread some jamoke around here made

    Cardio blurb:
    Cardio is not a magic fat burner. It does not allow you to lose\keep off fat while gaining muscle. It burns calories like any other activity. If you are trying to lose fat you can do cardio or eat less food, either one. If you are trying to gain muscle, cardio will require that you eat more to gain it (along with hindering muscle recovery if overdone). As for general cardiovascular health, some would argue that it can be maintained just from hard and heavy barbell lifting. If you want to guarantee it, you can simply walk at ~3mph for 10-20 minutes twice per week.

    More on cardio - http://www.simplyshredded.com/nutrition-expert-alan-aragon-talks-with-simplyshredded-com.html
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    If you had to pick only one or the other, then pick strength training.

    If I were concerned about a fat abdomen, I would do cardio, and of course, watch my diet.
  • 1Fizzle
    1Fizzle Posts: 241 Member
    You don't HAVE or NEED to do cardio or any exercise for that matter to lose weight. You only NEED a decifit of calories. The only exercise you NEED to not look like crap when you hit your goal weight is resistance training.

    ^ This

    I agree with this guy

    That's weird....I agree with this guy also!

    But to ADD to my decifit, I do resistance training and cardio. Depending on the workout I have planned I alternate which I do first. It works for me, you'll have to find what works for you!
  • andreanicole686
    andreanicole686 Posts: 406 Member
    BOTH! Do strength training first and then HIIT workouts for cardio 20-30 minute high bursts.
  • Lrossong
    Lrossong Posts: 1 Member
    ***This may shock some people***

    I say neither :)

    What? Did I just say NO exercise...wow, I probably sound crazy. haha but isn't that refreshing to hear?! I am a student studying Human Nutritional Sciences. I recently attended a workshop where the guest speaker who specializes in weight management said that studies show exercise only account for 2.7% of weight loss. In other words, if you must exert energy in any area, spend it in the kitchen! Focus on getting your nutrition tight, meal prep, limit excess sugar, saturated fats, simple carbs and eat lots of lean protein, veggies and complex carbs!
  • zaph0d
    zaph0d Posts: 1,172 Member
    ***This may shock some people***

    I say neither :)

    What? Did I just say NO exercise...wow, I probably sound crazy. haha but isn't that refreshing to hear?! I am a student studying Human Nutritional Sciences. I recently attended a workshop where the guest speaker who specializes in weight management said that studies show exercise only account for 2.7% of weight loss. In other words, if you must exert energy in any area, spend it in the kitchen! Focus on getting your nutrition tight, meal prep, limit excess sugar, saturated fats, simple carbs and eat lots of lean protein, veggies and complex carbs!

    There's more to life than weight loss. For example strength and fitness.
  • aaeros
    aaeros Posts: 157
    Both.
  • mrstravisjones
    mrstravisjones Posts: 104 Member
    i walk my dog daily and do crossfit 4 times a week. as someone previously said, you do burn calories with everything you do in crossfit. the negative i find with tracking it on mfp is that it doesn't add any calories earned for strength training exercises. and i know that with the amount of sweat, constant movement, and fatigued muscles i get from an hour long class, i am burning hundreds of calories. only cardio exercise calories burned get factored in to your daily allotment. but i know that i have a lot more to "eat back" on crossfit days. and so it will look like i have gone over on calories when i really haven't.

    as for cardio vs. weights, in general, the question you need to ask yourself is this: what is more important, the number on the scale or the way your *kitten* looks in jeans? weights are going to add muscle mass which is going to keep your weight higher initially, but your figure will quickly change for the better. cardio is going to shed pounds, but your body won't look as fit as what you think should match your weight until you begin to tone it.

    i was once taught that the right balance for getting healthy is:
    50% diet
    40% strength
    10% cardio
  • JustMichelleB
    JustMichelleB Posts: 290
    Both.

    It's like bacon and cheeseburgers. Or chocolate and peanut butter. Each is good on it's own, but wonderful together.

    Great analogy!! Ditto.
  • myofibril
    myofibril Posts: 4,500 Member
    I recently attended a workshop where the guest speaker who specializes in weight management said that studies show exercise only account for 2.7% of weight loss.

    Which studies?

    Where calories held constant between the exercise, non exercise and control group (presuming there was one)

    I think certainly that diet is the key thing in losing weight but exercise certainly has its place, especially if long term maintenance is the individuals goals.

Categories