Good Balance between Resistance Training and Cardio?

auteurfille22
auteurfille22 Posts: 251 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm looking to tone up and avoid being "skinny fat" as I lose more weight, so I'm starting resistance training. But I know that in order to do things like get a flat stomach, what matters most is a calorie deficit and a good diet, so it seems like cardio would be important too. Is there some general rule of what balance of both should be done? I'm just a bit confused with all the "lift heavy" recommendations in the forums since it seems like ultimately what matters most is a calorie deficit to get rid of fat, and wouldn't cardio help with that calorie deficit? Thank you! Sorry if this has been asked before.

Replies

  • Emtabo01
    Emtabo01 Posts: 672
    I do nrol4w three days a week and about 20-30 minutes HIIT on my elliptical 2-3 days a week. I eat at a very small deficit. I am about at goal weight, just trying to get a better stomach and look more fit. I don't eat at too big of a deficit or I don't do well lifting. It's a slow process. Don't know if it's right or wrong or a good balance, it's just what I do.
  • phjorg1
    phjorg1 Posts: 642 Member
    when you're in calorie deficit, you body will shed anything it can to try and bridge that gap. Not just fat. By doing resistance training, your body will be less likely to shed Type II muscle fibre as it's in use. And that difference will be compensated for by burning more fat than if you were not doing resistance training.

    Also, lifting can burn a ton of calories too if you are good at it.

    In terms of time, a 50/50 split between resistance training and cardio give or take would be ideal.
  • auteurfille22
    auteurfille22 Posts: 251 Member
    Okay, thank you! I'll try to keep a somewhat even balance between the two.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    You food intake determines your calorie deficit, not your exercise. I've had 2500 calorie bike rides eradicated when I got home and ate an entire large pizza.

    Ultimately, the balance you strike is up to you. If you have goals that involve participating in endurance events, do more cardio. If you don't, and don't enjoy cardio, it's unnecessary. Most people fall somewhere in between and there's no magic formula for everyone.

    Your exercise doesn't have to be "balanced". I only has to fit your goals.
  • _noob_
    _noob_ Posts: 3,306 Member
    Having a calorie deficit while strength training and doing the most full effort cardio you can manage (I.e. sprinting) is what helps the most of your deficit be lost as body fat. Lifting has been proven more important than what cardio you do for losing weight as bodyfat while in a calorie deficit, but max effort cardio is best for maintaining LBM.
  • jzammetti
    jzammetti Posts: 1,956 Member
    I do nrol4w three days a week and about 20-30 minutes HIIT on my elliptical 2-3 days a week. I eat at a very small deficit. I am about at goal weight, just trying to get a better stomach and look more fit. I don't eat at too big of a deficit or I don't do well lifting. It's a slow process. Don't know if it's right or wrong or a good balance, it's just what I do.

    I do exactly the same thing. Working well for me :drinker: :flowerforyou:

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