Cardio or Strength Training: Which Type of Exercise Is Better for Weight Loss?

You’ve heard that you need to move more to lose weight. That’s great, but now you’ve found out there are two types of exercise: cardio and strength training. Just which type of exercise is better for weight loss?

I wish I could give you one simple answer. The truth is I can’t. Well, I can but it’s not going to be one that you like: both are great for weight loss. Neither is better than the other because they both do different jobs. Here’s a look at the two to help you understand why you should make both part of your weight loss plan.

Cardio for Calorie Burning


The benefit of cardio is that you get out there and burn the calories off right there and then. You don’t burn as many as you would think—so a 30 minute run doesn’t make up for the pizza the night before—but it is still good for weight loss.

Cardio involves any type of aerobic exercise, where you get your heart going and your lungs working. There are different intensities that you can work at depending on your experience, current fitness levels and time that you’re exercising for.

This does burn calories, but once you’re finished with the exercise you’re pretty much finished with calorie burning. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it, because it will help you lose fat, build muscle and boost the metabolism.

Strength Training for Toning


You’ll have heard that all the situps in the world won’t help you lose the weight from your stomach.

There is some truth in this statement, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do any strength training at all. Once you lose the weight, you’ll have well-toned muscles, because you’ve been working on them under the layers of fat.

Plus, strength training does make you sweat. It can raise the heart rate and you will burn calories while you do it.

The benefit of this type of exercise is that you burn the calories afterwards, too. Your muscles will tear while working out. This is completely natural and it’s the period between workouts that builds them up stronger. They use up calories as they mend and get ready for the next training session.

Use Them Both Together


Really, the best type of exercise for weight loss is joining them both together. Find a plan that will work in some cardio and strength training at the same time.


The 7-minuteworkout challenge is a great way to combine the two exercises. It uses high interval intensity training (HIIT), which has been shown to be extremely effective for losing weight. You can get it as an app from Amazon for around a dollar, and it certainly has some excellent reviews.


Which type of exercise is better for weight loss? I really wish I could tell you that it was one or the other. When it comes to cardio or strength training, you really need to find a plan that combines both.

Comments

  1. Anonymous13 September 2016 at 20:06

    I do more walking than anything else. It just my lifestyle.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lorelei Cohen13 September 2016 at 20:34

    Excellent informative article. I was very impressed with how you explained the toning. Variety truly is the spice of life in all things it seems. A little of this and a little of that in exercise should take care of all the basics then.

    ReplyDelete

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