What kind of weight lifting is best for weight loss?

Really comes down to intensity. To really reap any benefit from it , rep failure has to happen. I have been at it for 15 years and that is one of the few bodybuilding ideals that hasn'rt changed. Gotta do those reps to complete failure to reach full intensity. That will help any possible muscle loss during dieting.
I keep reps in the 8-10 range....meaning I am completely shot ( can't move the weight anymore ) between those numbers.
Also nothing comes close to multiple muscle movements....like squats, bench press, pull ups, deadlift. Compound movemnts burn the calories.....much more so than that dude in the gym doing 800 reps of bicep curls.

You should read this guy's blog here on MFP:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/stroutman81/view/resistance-training-foundation-19725

and follow this thread:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/113609-relatively-light-people-trying-to-get-leaner

There's a ton of info that's spot on.

I agree with dieseljay74, compound movements are your best bet. And you have to lift to the point of muscle failure. That means when you've done your last rep, try to do another. It's not comfortable, but it works!

So far, it doesn't seem as if the amount of weight you use is as important as reaching the "muscle failure" point.

I've heard that cardio mixed with strength training can actually lessen the effects of strength training. I've also heard that 20-30 minutes of cardio pre-strength can increase the effects. So I'm still not sure which is better, a clean, low-cardio, strength-training workout, or cardio/strength mixed? I've been doing both.

I know that it's best to work between two machines and two muscle groups instead of resting in between sets. So, say, work on squats, then move to chin-ups while resting your legs. Very intense workout!

Circuit training is best. Go to menshealth.com for workout programs . Good luck .

I'd say circuit training...and it doesn't have to involve lighter weights. I've been circuit training for a year now as its a great way to combine cardio with making sure you get your muscles working (which of course burns more calories). This has been under the tutelage of my brilliant trainer! I've been doing various weight exercises of 12 - 15 reps (times 3 sets) with a steady increase in the amount of weight. I have doubled my chest press weight in a year and lost 75lbs.

It does come down to intensity. Exercises that use multiple muscle groups as mentioned above. Also, you may want to Metabolic Resistance Training (MRT). It is a weight based type of Interval training which shows very good promise in losing fat. I just became aware of it recently reading an article by John Romanello (if I recall the name correctly). It looks like a good combination of Interval and weights. In the past I have had very good success using a pure muscle building routine with little cardio. Recently I have started to do Tabata intervals using dumbells doing something like a front squat holding the dumbells at my shoulders elbows in. During the interval I do a squat come up and do a dumbell press as fast as I can while retaining good form. I did this for the first time yesterday and every muscle in my body is sore today. All this for a 4 minute workout. Here is a good sight on Tabata stuff (and Intervals for that matter) http://www.intervaltraining.net/tabata.html I have just started reasearching MRT so I don't have good sites to send you to for explanations. Oh, on youtube you can find videos of people called tabata thrusters doing their tabata style workout.

I've added in weights to my workout about two years ago, and not only have I lost weight (fat), but many, many inches to my arms, butt, tummy, back and legs. I can lose the same amount of calories doing weights as I can with cardio when I do it right. I was told to do at least three sets of each type, 12 per rep. Starting out with a weight that is not too hard, but not too light. You need to be able to do it properly and slowly to feel the burn. Make sure and pause at the top. The most important rule to remember is to rotate quickly to the next set that works the opposite side of your body. So if your doing a chest press, make sure you rotate with the sitting row. If your doing abs, go right into the lower back, if your pulling, then do pushing, and so on. It's made a huge difference with weight loss and how my clothes feel. Good luck!! Keep us posted!!

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i agree. circuit training.. compound moves working multiple muscle groups at once like squats with a shoulder press. the more muscles your working at once, the higher your HR is meaning many more calories burnt and creating lean muscle mass. I usually stick with weights on the lighter side, for me though its harder to use heavier weights while doing moves like that (like squats with shoulder press etc) cause your def working harder and got much more movement going on but whatever weight you feel you can get thru with while maintaining good form as well. one word. JILLIAN MICHAELS I kno your a guy and u wouldnt prefer that lol but she is GREAT with circuit training and working many many muscle groups at once, no joke. its actually a workout im sure any guy could get results with as well. her style of training is exactly what we are talking about..!