Cardio vs weights

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ALOT of females think that Cardio is the way to go....that could NOT be more wrong. Why restrict your body to just cardio? You won't get stronger that way AND lifting heavy weights burns more fat than cardio does. If you want to be a thin stick with no muscle tone, then sure stick to just cardio. BUT if you want to be strong, have curves and look healthy and fit, then don't forget to lift heavy!! I have tried both methods and I see the fastest and best results when I do heavy lifting. But I also do cardio for at least 30 mins 2-3 times a week.

Ladies, do not be afraid to lift heavy! You will NOT look like a man, you will look like a bassass, sexy, fit female! And on top of that, men LOVE to see females lifting heavy in the gym! Trust me on this
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Replies

  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,970 Member
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    I got way stronger from cycling. I live in a hilly place so every day is leg day.
  • WilsonFilson
    WilsonFilson Posts: 83 Member
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    Some friends told me this is true. ;)
  • ssteria01
    ssteria01 Posts: 18 Member
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    I got way stronger from cycling. I live in a hilly place so every day is leg day.

    Were you only doing cycling?? And no weight training along with it?
  • janjunie
    janjunie Posts: 1,200 Member
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    There is nothing wrong with cardio, just like there is nothing wrong with women lifting heavy. Anything that gets someone active and off their *kitten* is a good thing. To each their own...seriously.
  • WilsonFilson
    WilsonFilson Posts: 83 Member
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    janjunie wrote: »
    There is nothing wrong with cardio, just like there is nothing wrong with women lifting heavy. Anything that gets someone active and off their *kitten* is a good thing. To each their own...seriously.

    That's true, but what's sad is when someone has in their mind the type of body that they want, and they are doing the wrong thing to get it. A lot of effort in the wrong direction sucks.
  • JustinAnimal
    JustinAnimal Posts: 1,335 Member
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    Bass have the sexiest of *kitten*. At least of all the fish.
  • yesimpson
    yesimpson Posts: 1,372 Member
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    Referring to women as 'females' makes my skin itch.

    Maybe these women don't enjoy weightlifting and don't want to be stronger. Maybe they don't want 'curves' or for men to admire them in the gym.

    I wish this idea that all women stumble around thinking lifting anything heavier than a shoebox or a handbag will make them look like the Hulk overnight would just hurry up and wither away.

    At least 80% of my exercise routine is cardio. I can assure you I do not look like a stick (and even if I was super slim with little visible muscle tone, that'd be fine too, because I'm a grown woman and it's my body).
  • tincanonastring
    tincanonastring Posts: 3,944 Member
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    Yeah, it's not an either/or thing. Both are important.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
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    Sigh. What a caricature of what cardio exercises are and how they function.

    Why the false dichotomy?
    Do both.
  • tincanonastring
    tincanonastring Posts: 3,944 Member
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    Is that claim that lifting burns more fat than cardio actually true? I'd like to see some literature on that.
  • ssteria01
    ssteria01 Posts: 18 Member
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    janjunie wrote: »
    There is nothing wrong with cardio, just like there is nothing wrong with women lifting heavy. Anything that gets someone active and off their *kitten* is a good thing. To each their own...seriously.

    I never said there was anything wrong with cardio, (I do cardio myself) but doing only cardio is not the best method. You will plateau in your weight loss or strength progression; which ever your goal is. Mixing up the different types of exercise is the best for your body.
  • janjunie
    janjunie Posts: 1,200 Member
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    janjunie wrote: »
    There is nothing wrong with cardio, just like there is nothing wrong with women lifting heavy. Anything that gets someone active and off their *kitten* is a good thing. To each their own...seriously.

    That's true, but what's sad is when someone has in their mind the type of body that they want, and they are doing the wrong thing to get it. A lot of effort in the wrong direction sucks.

    Well it's up to each individual person to research how to get the body they want. Either they figure it out the easy way or the hard way.
  • megzchica23
    megzchica23 Posts: 419 Member
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    Okay... so because you like that look all women should? Don't diss someone else's body because you think yours is the be all end all. Every body type is good. Women shouldn't feel pressured to look any certain way. Women should be happy and comfortble. So if they want muscles, good. If they don't? Good. Women with less muscles aren't ugly or weak. You don't have to have a lot of muscles to look healthy or be healthy either.
  • WilsonFilson
    WilsonFilson Posts: 83 Member
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    Is that claim that lifting burns more fat than cardio actually true? I'd like to see some literature on that.

    Partially true. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25162652

    HIIT takes home the gold. Then resistance training (heavy), then steady state cardio.
  • sunnybeaches105
    sunnybeaches105 Posts: 2,831 Member
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    How about we recognized that there is more than one path to health and fitness? I love weightlifting. Love it, but I know plenty of fit people who don't. People can also get strong, for example, with body weight exercises. Enjoy your passion and let others enjoy theirs.
  • WilsonFilson
    WilsonFilson Posts: 83 Member
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    But you also have to consider the after burn, and the metabolic effect. My understanding is that resistance training, combined with a HIIT program that doesn't lead to overtraining is the best combination for energy expenditure AND muscle development.

    All depends on one's goals I suppose.
  • tincanonastring
    tincanonastring Posts: 3,944 Member
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    Gracias, @WilsonFilson. I'll check out the link tonight.
  • jdhcm2006
    jdhcm2006 Posts: 2,254 Member
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    ssteria01 wrote: »
    ALOT of females think that Cardio is the way to go....that could NOT be more wrong. Why restrict your body to just cardio? You won't get stronger that way AND lifting heavy weights burns more fat than cardio does. If you want to be a thin stick with no muscle tone, then sure stick to just cardio. BUT if you want to be strong, have curves and look healthy and fit, then don't forget to lift heavy!! I have tried both methods and I see the fastest and best results when I do heavy lifting. But I also do cardio for at least 30 mins 2-3 times a week.

    Ladies, do not be afraid to lift heavy! You will NOT look like a man, you will look like a bassass, sexy, fit female! And on top of that, men LOVE to see females lifting heavy in the gym! Trust me on this

    And I care what these men think because...?
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    edited March 2016
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    While I applaud your enthusiasm, I think if you spend a bit of time on this board you'll see that many of the women here are already lifting. Some lift heavy, some stay mid-range, some go light, and many do a combo. Some women do calisthenics. They're all valid options as part of a well-rounded fitness plan. You're pretty much preaching to the choir.

    P.S. - Why should any of the women here care what men like to see in the gym?
  • Pathmonkey
    Pathmonkey Posts: 108 Member
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    Strength training is an awesome part of my fitness regime, and I've become addicted I have to admit. While I do round it out with cardio, it's low level because I don't want to eat away the muscle tone I work so hard for.... cardio for me it just a way of strengthening the most important muscle... the heart. Unfortunately constant max cardio can be detrimental to both weight loss and your heart.... the science is out there, so if all you do is cardio you might want to read up on the subject. It could be a part of not losing weight. Strength training combined however continues to burn calories long after you leave the gym and increases both lean body mass and bone mass. I've never felt so strong and energized in my life!