Cardio versus weights for weight loss

I actually do very little pure cardio. I try to do most of my weightlifting as a circuit, moving from one station to another to get my heart rate up, rather than jog, run, etc. My old bones and joints won't take much of it, and I find I need two to three days recovery after a long bike ride. Swimming is about the only pure cardio exercise I do. with weightlifting, you have to tax the muscles. You can't just curl 10# ten times, and call it a workout. you have to increase reps. weight, and try to decrease rest time. It most certainly can be done.

In regards to losing weight? Lifting doesn't do that, eating at a caloric deficit does that.

That being said, do whatever exercise you enjoy/can stick to. I personally think that a combo of both cardio and weights is ideal.

I've done mostly cardio over the last three years ( walking and running) and started weights in January.

I love my stress busting walk/ run!

Problem is,my body just can't seem to take it anymore! My joints hurt for hours after a workout so,while the spirit is willing,the flesh is definitely getting weak.

Can you lose weight just lifting?

For those of you who have lifted for awhile,how much cardio do you do per week?

Thanks in advance for any advice

Tell you the truth -- I've been in a walking boot for over two months now. I do barely any cardio except for like a 400m warm-up row. I only lift weights in Crossfit and I have been the most fit I've been. Just saying....you don't need it.

Healthy diet is necessary though!

Hi, I have been running for years and have trained for marathons and half marathons and I am also starting to gets sore joints, in fact I have an ankle injury at the moment, however during all this cardio my body shape never really changed, until I took the advise of my teenage son who suggested I tried light weights doing high reps and WOW what a change, I look slimmer, my waist is tight and my arms look better than ever (im 48 ) so now I combine both cardio and weights, i run with my dog every morning then go to the gym, I also have a half marathon planned for september ankle permitting!!!

Does lifting burn calories, yes. Does it burn as many as other activities, maybe. Should you only do one, no depending on what your goals are.

Lifting is fine and it does burn some calories, how much really depends on what you are doing and how intense you are. Doing some light bicep curls for 20 reps isn't going to cut it, just the same as a single rep heavy squat with 5 minutes of rest between sets isn't going to cut it.

IMHO running, biking, etc. help build a more well rounded fitness. They generally burn more calories per time segment than a lifting counter part and require no specific equipment. If walking is starting to be hard on your joints I would suggest you go talk to your Doctor and see if there is something else going on.


Lol @ who ever said they don't do cardio, they do Cross-Fit. What do you think all the AMRAP is for....its not standard run X miles, but the rounds are geared to get your heart rate up for a prolonged period of time.

If your body is sore you should try taking in more protein. Cardio isn't needed for weightloss but it can speed it up. Until recently I didn't bother with cardio, I lost weight and became leaner through lifting heavy and having a good diet that was kept below my maintenance calories. I really think more women need to lift, a lot think it''s going to make you big and bulky but in reality only the diet will do that. If you want that squat bum etc you have to squat. Cardio will make you look skinny but it won't make your body have a nice shape.

I eat my TDEE to maintain my weight; while losing weight I ate at a deficit.

I do cardio because it makes me happy, either because I can eat a bit more and I love eating, or because the endorphins are a lot like drugs.

I lift weights because it makes me look hot (and I have a sneaky suspicion that those muscles keep my TDEE nice and high which enables me to indulge my love of food and (good) beer).

In sum: it's the diet that will make you lose weight. It's the strength training that will keep you looking good doing it, and the cardio is icing on the cake, sometimes literally.

Bad knees, bad back, chronic pleurisy....yeah, I can't stand cardio. I can do short spurts like a Sprint 8, but that's it. I mostly walk or lift weights. Whatever you end up doing, make sure you're feeding your body what it needs, but not *more* than what it needs.

lifting weights and doing cardio is to get you body in a better physical conditioning not to lose weight. if you want to lose weight it begins and ends with what you put into your mouth.

on another note if you knees and everything hurts from running and walking you should try spinning. it is a great workout without the stress on the joints like running