Cardio vs weight training to lose weight

DirtyTrickster
DirtyTrickster Posts: 202 Member
edited November 14 in Health and Weight Loss
Which is more effective in addition to a calorie deficit?
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Replies

  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    You need to do both.
  • DirtyTrickster
    DirtyTrickster Posts: 202 Member
    I figured I'd get this answer.

    Specifically, which is better for losing weight?
  • JayRuby84
    JayRuby84 Posts: 557 Member
    Lift heavy and do a little bit of cardio. I used to camp out on the cardio machines and didn't see results until I started doing weights hard.
  • clipartghost
    clipartghost Posts: 32 Member
    Neither is effective for losing weight, but weight training will help make the weight you do lose more fat instead of muscle
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    edited March 2015
    Neither. Both burn calories. How many calories one burns vs the other is HUUUGELY variable. Which is "better" will largely depend on what you do and how you do it.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Neither is effective for losing weight, but weight training will help make the weight you do lose more fat instead of muscle

    I thought we were beyond this. Given a reasonable diet, cardio has very similar muscle-sparing qualities as does lifting.
  • DirtyTrickster
    DirtyTrickster Posts: 202 Member
    JayRuby84 wrote: »
    Lift heavy and do a little bit of cardio. I used to camp out on the cardio machines and didn't see results until I started doing weights hard.
    I lift heavy 5 days a week now, but was debating lifting 3 days and doing some treadmill action 2 days. Not sure if it will help or hinder my weight loss goals.
    Neither is effective for losing weight, but weight training will help make the weight you do lose more fat instead of muscle
    Ok - which is more effective at burning calories.

  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    diet for weight control; exercise for fitness.

    Here's an example of what I mean by that...I train hard and I train a lot...on average I ride 60-80 miles per week or so...I do some cross training a couple days per week on the elliptical and do more swimming during the summer...and I lift 3x weekly. I have lost weight doing this...I have maintained my weight for over a year and a half doing this...and I did a bulk cycle doing this (though I did cut back on some cardio because I just couldn't eat that much consistently).

    The primary difference between those three weight control objectives was not the exercise...it was my diet and my energy (calorie) consumption.
  • mperrott2205
    mperrott2205 Posts: 737 Member

    I figured I'd get this answer.

    Specifically, which is better for losing weight?

    They both are. Just do your 5 days a week of lifting followed by a 30 minute walk on a 10% incline.
  • lmr0528
    lmr0528 Posts: 427 Member
    Just do what you enjoy. End of story.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    lose weight faster - cardio.

    look better when you get there - weights

    best option - happy medium between the two.
  • DirtyTrickster
    DirtyTrickster Posts: 202 Member
    defmut3 wrote: »
    They both are. Just do your 5 days a week of lifting followed by a 30 minute walk on a 10% incline.

    Time is a premium, so I need to choose one or the other. I have 1 hour during lunch where I get to the gym, so I need to choose to lift or run. After work "me" time is not an option.

  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,984 Member
    Which is more effective in addition to a calorie deficit?
    If it's just weight loss you're looking for, then long long endurance cardio while not consuming enough carbs and protein to support muscle sparing.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

  • ScottJTyler
    ScottJTyler Posts: 72 Member
    Cardio for 10 minutes after 50 mins resistance training? Cardio and resistance training on alternating days?
  • mperrott2205
    mperrott2205 Posts: 737 Member
    defmut3 wrote: »
    They both are. Just do your 5 days a week of lifting followed by a 30 minute walk on a 10% incline.

    Time is a premium, so I need to choose one or the other. I have 1 hour during lunch where I get to the gym, so I need to choose to lift or run. After work "me" time is not an option.

    Could always go before work, I do.

    Regardless - In that case, do what you enjoy most so you don't lose motivation and make sure your diet is in check.
  • clipartghost
    clipartghost Posts: 32 Member
    jacksonpt wrote: »
    Neither is effective for losing weight, but weight training will help make the weight you do lose more fat instead of muscle

    I thought we were beyond this. Given a reasonable diet, cardio has very similar muscle-sparing qualities as does lifting.
    So why do bodybuilders still lift weights when cutting?


    Ok - which is more effective at burning calories.
    Personally, lifting weights doesn't have any measurable effect on my TDEE. I don't even count it on MFP, I just count aerobic training.

  • amitkatz0
    amitkatz0 Posts: 61 Member
    Why not just do cardio on your "rest days" between lifting? Or do neither. Exercise will help you retain your muscle mass while you're in a calorie deficit, but from what I understand it's not going to accelerate your weight loss.
  • urloved33
    urloved33 Posts: 3,323 Member
    Which is more effective in addition to a calorie deficit?

    cardio for weight loss. weights for making muscle... I always go after the loss and then start my weights again...I value my time.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    I figured I'd get this answer.

    Specifically, which is better for losing weight?

    err because its the correct answer. They do different things, one helps your cardio vascular system as well as burning calories and the other helps you maintain muscle mass. You need to understand what that means before making your choice or just accept you do both because they give different benefits.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    defmut3 wrote: »
    They both are. Just do your 5 days a week of lifting followed by a 30 minute walk on a 10% incline.

    Time is a premium, so I need to choose one or the other. I have 1 hour during lunch where I get to the gym, so I need to choose to lift or run. After work "me" time is not an option.
    Calorie deficit for weight loss, exercise for fitness. I do both cardio and weight training, but if I had to choose one over the other, I'd go for the weights, or a workout that incorporated a mix of HIIT and weights - you can pack a good mix of both into a short amount of time - perfect for a lunch break workout.
  • longtimeterp
    longtimeterp Posts: 614 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    If it's just weight loss you're looking for, then long long endurance cardio while not consuming enough carbs and protein to support muscle sparing.

    i likes me fasted endurance cardio, but take it slow, and take some bcaas while you do it, i have found it very beneficial to fat loss
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    There is no best, There is no either/or. 1 hr a day is more than enough time to use either method or a combination of both to achieve your goals. It is impossible to answer which one is BEST.
  • ShellyBell999
    ShellyBell999 Posts: 1,482 Member
    I used to do lots of cardio but switched up to a more weight oriented routine. I noticed within weeks the recomposition taking place.

    I usually finish my weight training with a 15 min HIIT on the stationary bike. In between days I try to go for a 30-45 min brisk walk.

    I prefer lifting to cardio.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    Neither is effective for losing weight, but weight training will help make the weight you do lose more fat instead of muscle

    err no. It depends how much you do. All things being equal then if you do enough exercise you can lose by exercise alone. I will assume you are at maintenance for the conumption side. Cardio will burn more calories than lifting. Thast not to say ist better, its simply different.
  • Athos282
    Athos282 Posts: 405 Member
    defmut3 wrote: »
    They both are. Just do your 5 days a week of lifting followed by a 30 minute walk on a 10% incline.

    Time is a premium, so I need to choose one or the other. I have 1 hour during lunch where I get to the gym, so I need to choose to lift or run. After work "me" time is not an option.

    When something is important, you make the time; otherwise you're only making excuses. Excuses won't get the results you're looking for. Just alternate what you do between weights and cardio (it's what I do), carefully monitor calorie consumption, and it will work.
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    alternate days if you want the benefits of both.

    For MYSELF, I have made the decision to work on mostly cardio until I reach my (first) goal- which is halfway to my goal weight. At that point, I will begin implementing more strength training. Once I reach my goal weight, I will reevaluate my situation and see if I think it would best (for me) to focus more on one or the other, or keep it around 50% both.
  • MelWick524
    MelWick524 Posts: 215 Member
    defmut3 wrote: »
    They both are. Just do your 5 days a week of lifting followed by a 30 minute walk on a 10% incline.

    Time is a premium, so I need to choose one or the other. I have 1 hour during lunch where I get to the gym, so I need to choose to lift or run. After work "me" time is not an option.

    Make the most of your time...45min lifting, 15min cardio? HIIT training? Again, what everyone else said...exercise for fitness...calorie deficit for weight loss. They do go hand-in-hand when you're like me and obtain a deficit with exercise. I'm far from my goals, but I'm good at telling others how it's done, LOL.
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    MelWick524 wrote: »
    defmut3 wrote: »
    They both are. Just do your 5 days a week of lifting followed by a 30 minute walk on a 10% incline.

    Time is a premium, so I need to choose one or the other. I have 1 hour during lunch where I get to the gym, so I need to choose to lift or run. After work "me" time is not an option.

    I'm far from my goals, but I'm good at telling others how it's done, LOL.


    BAHAHHAAAAAA right there with ya!

  • RavenLibra
    RavenLibra Posts: 1,737 Member
    It's about the look you are striving to achieve... look at pictures of marathon runners, and competitive road racers (cycling ala the Tour de France etc.)... THEN look at sprinters... gymnasts, "regular" atheletes... of course your golasd might be a bit more modest than trying to achieve that kind of high performance body... BUT the intent of your training will be reflected in one of the contrasting illustrations...endurance atheletes... are thin... their muscles development is a result of the body's need to become as efficient at burning calories as possible... so... very low body fat...very lean thin muscles...where Sprinters and other sorts...do NOT require the same type of efficiencies... power and strength are more important for shorter durations... MY preference... I too have JUST ONE hour at the company gym...at the moment I am blowing 32 minutes of Cardio followed by about 20 minutes of upper body lifts and at least one day of squats... 3 times a week... I also do lunges on a daily basis when I take my dogs for their morning walk... 3 sets of walking lunges 20 reps on each leg. it's early enough that not many folks see me doing that B)

    My current goal is to simply reduce my body fat %... ultimately.. i'd like to regain the body and functional fitness and strength I had when I played loose head prop in the local rugby union.

    So.. the answer really is...IT depends on WHAT you want to look like?
  • Bulls_23
    Bulls_23 Posts: 199 Member
    This might be way wrong, but what I've been doing is eating healthy and 4-5 days a week, walking or jogging 3-5 miles, and then every other day I do some curls and dips for my arms.

    I'm not looking to get ripped or skinny, just trying to drop a little weight and add a little muscle to my arms.
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