Which is better weights or cardio?

which would you pick and why?

I'd ensure that my "calories in" was what was driving the weight loss and I'd pick strength training to ensure that I preserved as much muscle mass during that loss phase as possible.

Better for what? One is better for strength, the other is better cardiovascular fitness, a combination of both is better for a well rounded level of fitness, and being in control of your calorie intake is better for weight loss.

coreyreichle wrote: »

BOTH!

This.

It's really particular to the need. My wife started in about a year and a half back on My Fitness Pal and the gym. In her case, resistance helped because she didn't have the muscle base. She does both.
For myself, an ex-carpenter, muscle mass is not an issue, but flexibility is. I've been through 11 surgeries on my back, hands, knees, stomach and shoulder. So I focus on cardio and some swimming at the gym, do a LOT of stretching for the whole body every day, and cycle in good weather.
I get my muscle workouts in the yard, building things and shoveling lots of dirt and sand around. I do a lot of carpentry.
I've been advised to lift, but my joints go into pretty much immediate pain mode.
As we age, it's not strength or cardio fitness that's as much a threat as lack of flexibility, which leads to spills and injuries.

amusedmonkey wrote: »

Better for what? One is better for strength, the other is better cardiovascular fitness, a combination of both is better for a well rounded level of fitness, and being in control of your calorie intake is better for weight loss.

This. Also, when you say you are pressed for time, make sure to look at how much time you spend in front of a TV, video games, social media, etc and reassess.

Best of luck.

The best exercise is the kind you will actually do.

Take the wise advice of other posters above and try out various things. Just speaking for myself, it's very difficult to be consistent with exercise if you are forcing yourself to do something you hate.

If your looking for muscles then strength is what u r looking for.if your looking just to be thin cardio is the best.

Another vote for the one you can/will do.

Most important is calorie in (what you eat).

Any exercise is better than none, and it can evolve as your fitness does.

My last big weight loss I started with walking around a local park...usually a half hour each time, and water aerobics classes at a gym. As I got thinner and fitter I tried other things. Zumba I didn't like. Spinning I did.

This time I started with walking again. Then got a gym membership. Added some more intense cardio...rowing and precor. Just this past week back to spinning again.

Both times I've done a smattering of yoga/pilates/floor work at home for abs and stretching.

Personally struggle with dealing with the weights area at the gym. I bought a kettle bell to use at home and loaded a couple of body weight strength training apps, may throw in working on a couple of machines...all with the idea that building a strength base will make free weights less mentally difficult.

As far as being pressed for time, it doesn't have to be formal. I can pick up the kettle bell and do a set of goblet squats waiting for the microwave to finish, or march in place in the laundry room waiting for the lid on the washer to unlock.

Just move.

Both
I do both when every time go to the gym, and I am only there for less than an hour. I like doing the weights because I like the way they are making me feel stronger. Cardio I do something different every time I go. I have found that I hate the treadmill and I know I would have given up if that is all I did for cardio. Have found that I like the bike. I am learning to like the Eliptical trainer, the arc trainer is still up for debate. The point is find something you like and just move.

StealthHealth wrote: »

@coreyreichle it was, very specifically, an either or question

watkins1980 wrote: »

I have quite a bit of weight to lose, and am pressed for time. I was wondering if doing weights at the gym or doing cardio would benefit someone obese like myself? I guess I am asking if you had to only 1 due to your weight and schedule, which would you pick and why?

We could argue about whether the OP could find the time/energy to do both or guess whether that is what they want in reality or this is a hypothetical question but we'd be here all day - and the result would be of zero benefit to the OP who asked a simple question - based upon, I guess, the time that he feels he wants spend on exercises.

Note: is false to say that you should be doing both - you don't need either to lose weight (although in many cases either type of exercise would help).

BOTH.