Cardio versus weight lifting for weight loss has long been a hotly debated topic in the fitness industry. Some people swear by cardio as the best way to lose weight, while others believe that weight lifting is the key to dropping pounds. So, which is better for weight loss: cardio or weight lifting? Let’s take a closer look.
Cardio
Cardio is any type of exercise that gets your heart rate up and increases your breathing. This includes activities like running, cycling, swimming, and dancing. Cardio is great for burning calories, which is why it’s often the go-to exercise for people trying to lose weight. When you do cardio, your body burns both carbohydrates and fat for fuel. The longer you do cardio, the more fat your body will burn.
Weight Lifting
Weight lifting, also known as resistance training, involves using weights or resistance bands to work your muscles. This can include exercises like squats, lunges, and bicep curls. Weight lifting is great for building muscle, which in turn helps to burn fat. Muscle tissue is more metabolically active than fat tissue, meaning that it burns more calories at rest. This means that the more muscle you have, the more calories your body will burn, even when you’re not working out.
So, which is better for weight loss: cardio or weight lifting?
The answer is that both cardio and weight lifting can be effective for weight loss, but for different reasons. Cardio is great for burning calories in the moment, but weight lifting helps to build muscle, which in turn helps to burn more calories at rest. A combination of both cardio and weight lifting is likely to be the most effective way to lose weight and keep it off.
When it comes to deciding how much cardio versus weight lifting you should do, it’s important to consider your individual goals and preferences. If your primary goal is to lose weight, you may want to focus more on cardio, while if you’re interested in building muscle and toning your body, weight lifting may be a better choice. However, even if your goal is weight loss, it’s important to include some weight lifting in your routine to help maintain muscle mass and prevent the loss of lean tissue.
In conclusion, both cardio and weight lifting can be effective for weight loss, but a combination of both is likely to be the most effective. When deciding how much cardio versus weight lifting to do, it’s important to consider your individual goals and preferences, and to create a well-rounded workout routine that includes both types of exercise.
In Good Health,
Dan, Team Midwest Meals
NASM Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist