Is it bad to build muscles while losing weight?

agooddaytodiesoft

I'm a pretty big guy, i'm at 248 lbs now, and i don't want to become entirely skinny when i reach my goal weight, so i also lift weights now after doing 30 minutes of cardio, i lift weights, i was wondering if this is bad? and is weightlifting good for losing weight?

SideSteel

No it's not bad.

zlauerMom

It is not bad at all. And weightlifting will help in losing weight, but you need to work on the eating part, too.

BeachGingerOnTheRocks

The only thing bad is the timing. Lift weights first, lots of them and heavy. If you have any energy left after that, then worry about cardio. Get a book on lifting or do some internet research. Starting Strength, Stronglifts, Wendler's (not really for beginners, but a good read), get on bodyrecomposition.com, etc.

If you're a complete newbie, then you will probably build a little muscle while losing, but don't expect huge mass gains. Follow a reasonable eating plan and burn fat without losing the mass you have.

sweetums2

We are about the same weight now that I lost some. I think any exercise is good for weight loss. Weightlifting is great for keeping things tone and tight. As far as weight loss though eating right plays a major role. I have read that you can do that both ways with exercise or without. Find something that you enjoy and go for it. It is so much easier to stay on track if you look forward to your day.

BeachIron

Lift man, lift. You'll be very happy at the end when you've shed the fat and you're left with a ripped up physique.

fishgutzy

Not bad at all. I know I have more muscle now than I had when I started.
For anything involving legs I have increased the total weight moved by at least what I have lost. This way I at least maintain the strength required to move 310 pounds though I am down to 225 now.
I have pecs now too.
Building core muscle strength is essential as well.

My wife thinks I am lifting too heavy because she thinks I strain too much. But if I can do 8 reps I'm straining just right :bigsmile:

agooddaytodiesoft

The only thing bad is the timing. Lift weights first, lots of them and heavy. If you have any energy left after that, then worry about cardio. Get a book on lifting or do some internet research. Starting Strength, Stronglifts, Wendler's (not really for beginners, but a good read), get on bodyrecomposition.com, etc.

If you're a complete newbie, then you will probably build a little muscle while losing, but don't expect huge mass gains. Follow a reasonable eating plan and burn fat without losing the mass you have.

I prefer to do 30 mins of cardio then do the weights, i'm just to exhausted to do any cardio after sets of weightlifting, is it dangerous or bad to do cardio first? i ussually finish my workout sessions with 10 mins of cardio.

snooj

You should definitely strength train while losing weight. It'll help preserve your muscle. If you're in a deficit and your body realizes it has muscles it never uses, it'll use that as a resource rather than the fat you want to lose. Though, I'd switch up your routine: strength train then do cardio. Cardio just burns calories, nothing else. Use you energy to lift, and then leftover energy can be used for cardio.

That said, you won't build muscle while losing weight. You can either build muscle (calorie surplus) or lose weight (calorie deficit), but not both at the same time.

Edit: Just saw your comment above. What timing! Anyway, you can do cardio first if you really really want, but think of it this way. You do cardio, and now you're tired. So you hit the weights, tired, and underperform. You know you can deadlift three times that weight, but you're just too tired to do it. Your muscles then don't really get a workout.

Sunnyjb

You can do weights AS cardio to build up a bit of strength and stamina at first, then move to maxing with some cardio. The more LEAN muscle you build the more fat you will burn.

MB_Positif

Not at all! Keep it up! You are doing the right thing, though I agree that you should lift first before cardio.

capnrus789

no, it's not bad. Build muscle, you'll be happier.

I lost about 70lbs back in college and didn't hit the gym at all, just rode the bike. i lost a ton of strength in the process. Sure, I lost weight, but became a weakling. Still trying to get it back, it's been 14 years.

wareagle8706

Weightlifting is better for losing weight than cardio is.

And do it before your cardio. Not after.

LeenaRuns

The only thing bad is the timing. Lift weights first, lots of them and heavy. If you have any energy left after that, then worry about cardio. Get a book on lifting or do some internet research. Starting Strength, Stronglifts, Wendler's (not really for beginners, but a good read), get on bodyrecomposition.com, etc.

If you're a complete newbie, then you will probably build a little muscle while losing, but don't expect huge mass gains. Follow a reasonable eating plan and burn fat without losing the mass you have.

I prefer to do 30 mins of cardio then do the weights, i'm just to exhausted to do any cardio after sets of weightlifting, is it dangerous or bad to do cardio first? i ussually finish my workout sessions with 10 mins of cardio.

If you want to get the most out of your lifting, you should do it first.

BeachGingerOnTheRocks

The only thing bad is the timing. Lift weights first, lots of them and heavy. If you have any energy left after that, then worry about cardio. Get a book on lifting or do some internet research. Starting Strength, Stronglifts, Wendler's (not really for beginners, but a good read), get on bodyrecomposition.com, etc.

If you're a complete newbie, then you will probably build a little muscle while losing, but don't expect huge mass gains. Follow a reasonable eating plan and burn fat without losing the mass you have.

I prefer to do 30 mins of cardio then do the weights, i'm just to exhausted to do any cardio after sets of weightlifting, is it dangerous or bad to do cardio first? i ussually finish my workout sessions with 10 mins of cardio.

Is it dangerous? No. But doing cardio before weight training will markedly decrease your strength. You won't lift as heavy, you'll burn out faster, and not get the optimum workout if your goal is muscle mass building (eating at a surplus, etc.) or muscle mass retention (eating at maintenance or at a deficit). If your goal is straight-up calorie burn so you can eat more, then by all means, cardio first.

Pound for pound and inch for inch, you'll get a greater return on investment of time and energy from strength training first. Take it from a former cardio bunny. And I still do cardio. I just do it for my heart and not so much for my physique.

lesspaul

My wife thinks I am lifting too heavy because she thinks I strain too much. But if I can do 8 reps I'm straining just right :bigsmile:

Your wife and my wife can start a club.

Capt_Apollo

if i could go back and start over again, i'd have started strength training while doing cardio.

SideSteel

The only thing bad is the timing. Lift weights first, lots of them and heavy. If you have any energy left after that, then worry about cardio. Get a book on lifting or do some internet research. Starting Strength, Stronglifts, Wendler's (not really for beginners, but a good read), get on bodyrecomposition.com, etc.

If you're a complete newbie, then you will probably build a little muscle while losing, but don't expect huge mass gains. Follow a reasonable eating plan and burn fat without losing the mass you have.

I prefer to do 30 mins of cardio then do the weights, i'm just to exhausted to do any cardio after sets of weightlifting, is it dangerous or bad to do cardio first? i ussually finish my workout sessions with 10 mins of cardio.

Whichever one you do first you will likely perform with better intensity.

Most people will recommend weight training first.

If your preference is to do cardio first, and you are able to progress in your weight training, I'd say just do it that way.

amy1612

I do my lifting, then finish off with a metcon 'finisher' such as tabata. You dont NEED to do cardio to see results....by all means if you enjoy it keep it up, but you can get just as much out of a couple of short HIIT sessions.

fishgutzy

Personally, I don't lift or do cardio to lose weight. I lift and exercise so I can eat more. Hence my mantra. Eat to lose weight. Exercise to eat more. :bigsmile:

I swim first, before lifting so I can get my old joints well loosened up. On weekends, when I have the time, I break up swimming and lifting with a few hours between. And sometimes I use the fitness center a few steps from my cubicle during the day to lift them just swim after work.
I don't think I have any actual full rest days. Different muscle groups have different rest days :bigsmile:

Armyantzzz

No it's not Bad, Muscles tone you and burn more calories routinely. They also displace fat!

Deipneus

I lost weight then started lifting. It was a mistake to wait. Lift early and often.

avasano

Can't be bad.

MB_Positif

My wife thinks I am lifting too heavy because she thinks I strain too much. But if I can do 8 reps I'm straining just right :bigsmile:

Your wife and my wife can start a club.

I guess I am in the men's club.

Crankstr

The only thing bad is the timing. Lift weights first, lots of them and heavy. If you have any energy left after that, then worry about cardio. Get a book on lifting or do some internet research. Starting Strength, Stronglifts, Wendler's (not really for beginners, but a good read), get on bodyrecomposition.com, etc.

If you're a complete newbie, then you will probably build a little muscle while losing, but don't expect huge mass gains. Follow a reasonable eating plan and burn fat without losing the mass you have.

I prefer to do 30 mins of cardio then do the weights, i'm just to exhausted to do any cardio after sets of weightlifting, is it dangerous or bad to do cardio first? i ussually finish my workout sessions with 10 mins of cardio.

Is it dangerous? No. But doing cardio before weight training will markedly decrease your strength. You won't lift as heavy, you'll burn out faster, and not get the optimum workout if your goal is muscle mass building (eating at a surplus, etc.) or muscle mass retention (eating at maintenance or at a deficit). If your goal is straight-up calorie burn so you can eat more, then by all means, cardio first.

Pound for pound and inch for inch, you'll get a greater return on investment of time and energy from strength training first. Take it from a former cardio bunny. And I still do cardio. I just do it for my heart and not so much for my physique.

^THIS

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