Have you tried GLP1 medications and found it didn't work for you? We'd like to hear about your experiences, what you tried, why it didn't work and how you're doing now. Click here to tell us your story

Best Exercise to burn fat and gain muscle

mjlong
mjlong Posts: 73 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
My Fiance and I are fighting about this, I believe more cardio is better because we do still have more fat to lose. He thinks lifting and light cardio is better, because you still burn when your muscles are repairing themself. Thoughts?
«13

Replies

  • bigsicklittlesick
    bigsicklittlesick Posts: 55 Member
    Definitely heavy lifting and light (or no cardio) and a modest calorie deficit. You usually do not simultaneously burn fat and gain muscle though.
  • redhead1910
    redhead1910 Posts: 304 Member
    The simple answer is both. I do cardio 3 days a week and weight workouts 2 days. The combination ensures you keep your metabolism up and the mosre muscle you gain the more calories you burn without doing any activity at all.
  • gatorginger
    gatorginger Posts: 947 Member
    bump
  • MorgueBabe
    MorgueBabe Posts: 1,188 Member
    I think lifting with some cardio.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Do both!

    Cardio burns calories ..... this helps with your calorie deficit, helps build endurance, and works your heart

    Strength training helps SHAPE your body, helps you keep muscle while dieting ...... and yes, (very minimally) .....muscle uses more calories.

    10 pounds of fat takes up way more space than 10 pounds of muscle. Fit people can weigh more & still look thin because muscle is compact.
  • belgerian
    belgerian Posts: 1,059 Member
    From what I understand if you want to loose the fat you cannot build muscle at the same time. In order to build muscle you need to eat at a surplus. So to burn fat you need to eat at a calorie deficit, you can burn fat without even excercising. Excersise either carido or resistance both have benefits. The Most apparent is rasing your BMR which in turn burns more fat quicker than a couch potato. Assuming you are eating at a deficit.
  • synthomarsh
    synthomarsh Posts: 189 Member
    if your doing only cardio you wont gain muscle, probably loose a bit

    I think they are both important though, the most in shape people on the planet are fighters who have to worry about both strength and cardio find your happy middle ground
  • grantdumas7
    grantdumas7 Posts: 802 Member
    Between the two it would be hands down lifting. Cardio doesn't build muscle but weightlifting does or on a calorie deficit it can maintain it. Cardio is not even needed to lose fat. Sure it helps but if you eat a deficit you can still lose fat without cardio.
  • CassandraChloeJ
    CassandraChloeJ Posts: 47 Member
    Bump.
  • wilkyway
    wilkyway Posts: 151
    *kitten* to da GRASS.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    Your fiance is right. Even though it's a trick question, there is no exercise that specifically burns fat and gains muscle (at the same time). Lifting will do both, just not at the same time. It's all bout your caloric deficit or surplus.
  • _chiaroscuro
    _chiaroscuro Posts: 1,340 Member
    Yep, do both. Cardio will yield a bigger burn than lifting but lifting weights will help preserve muscle while eating at a deficit. Actually, you can gain some muscle at a deficit in the beginning.
  • assblaster69
    assblaster69 Posts: 47 Member
    Definitely heavy lifting and light (or no cardio) and a modest calorie deficit. You usually do not simultaneously burn fat and gain muscle though.
    What? Thats not true at all. Cardio burns more calories than lifting but when you have more muscle mass you burn more calories while resting. And yes you can if you are a beginner/intermediate. Just get enough nutrients
  • 1ConcreteGirl
    1ConcreteGirl Posts: 3,677 Member
    Your fiance is right. Even though it's a trick question, there is no exercise that specifically burns fat and gains muscle (at the same time). Lifting will do both, just not at the same time. It's all bout your caloric deficit or surplus.

    this
  • matt2442
    matt2442 Posts: 1,259 Member
    *kitten* to da GRASS.

    rPT97f6.gif

    Squatting fixes all of your problems in life.
  • don3rd1981
    don3rd1981 Posts: 8 Member
    They're both fine, whichever is easier for you. The key is in the Calorie Deficit. For rapid weight loss, go 20% under your maintenance calorie limit. For a less rapid weight loss that will not break down as much muscle, go on a 10% deficit. Extensive cardio is more for those who choose to create that deficit with burning extra calories rather than eating less. So as long as you create that deficit you're good to go with either route. As far as weight training, that's more for muscle gain or preventing muscle breakdown while dieting, it doesn't really burn many calories. But the added muscle mass will up the amount of calories your body burns.

    So to sum it all up, you can get away with no cardio if you eat less, or you can eat the same amount as usual and add cardio. Just don't eat more to make up for the calories you burned doing cardio.

    Hope this helps.
  • darkguardian419
    darkguardian419 Posts: 1,302 Member
    Lifitng with cardio thrown in. The way to safe face in the argument is that you're BOTH right... or both wrong... either way, it's both... but he's more right :(
  • TravisBikes
    TravisBikes Posts: 674 Member
    Pick things up. Put them down.

    Repeat.
  • bigsicklittlesick
    bigsicklittlesick Posts: 55 Member
    Definitely heavy lifting and light (or no cardio) and a modest calorie deficit. You usually do not simultaneously burn fat and gain muscle though.
    What? Thats not true at all. Cardio burns more calories than lifting but when you have more muscle mass you burn more calories while resting. And yes you can if you are a beginner/intermediate. Just get enough nutrients

    Which part is "not true at all?"

    Calorie deficit, whether through diet or exercise or a combo of both = weight loss
    Lifting maintains muscle mass while on a deficit--therefore you should do strength training while on a calorie deficit
    So if you HAD to choose one or the other--lift, cardio is optional if you can create your deficit through diet.
  • iulia_maddie
    iulia_maddie Posts: 2,780 Member
    Bicep curls. 3 sets of 15 reps.

Categories