Cardio vs. Strength Training: Which is Best for Weight Loss?
Two of the major players within fitness when it comes to weight loss include cardio and strength training. Of course, the latter has its benefits, but which one is really better for weight loss? Let’s break it down.
What is Cardio?
Cardio is short for cardiovascular exercise. This includes running, cycling, and swimming activities. They get your heart rate up and help in burning the calories. When one considers an exercise regime for weight loss, he will first think of cardio. It improves your endurance and really burns those extra calories.
What is Strength Training?
On the other hand, strength training involves one in weightlifting or resistance band exercises. It is primarily performed for building muscles. Squats, deadlifts, and bench presses are exercises that hit this muscle group. Although it does not burn calories like cardio during a workout, it has its advantages.
Cardio for Weight Loss
Cardio exercises really do burn a lot of calories. Any activity that makes you move fast, be it running or biking, requires a number of calories to fuel you with energy to actually carry out that action. This expenditure of energy will result in your losing weight. Cardio workouts also make your heart healthier and you more energetic.
One downside is that cardio alone cannot develop muscle. If you have no muscle, then your metabolism will slow down over time. That can make weight loss harder.
Weight Loss through Strength Training
Strength training is a form of exercise that will help you build muscle mass. The more muscle you have, the higher your resting metabolic rate. That means you are burning more calories even when you’re not actively exercising. It may also improve bone density and generally boost strength.
Why You Won’t Burn as Many Calories with Strength Training
Strength training, however, typically doesn’t burn as many calories during a workout compared to cardio. That calorie-burning effect happens more slowly, as muscle growth increases metabolism over time.
Comparing the Two
While in the realm of fitness comparison, it takes its rightful place—cardio and strength training both do. Cardio is excellent in ways, such as really burning those calories and improving cardiovascular health. Strength training goes into building your muscles and boosting your metabolic rate.
More often than not, however, a balanced exercise program will include both. This way, you can experience maximum weight loss. You can do some cardio three to four times a week and complement that with some weight training on alternate days. This way, you get the best of both worlds.
Striking the Right Balance
Well, what’s better for weight loss—cardio or strength training? Again, it all depends on your personal goals and tastes. If you’re into running or cycling, cardio may be the way to go. If you’re more into weightlifting and really building some muscle, then you’re going to lean toward the strength-training side.
Ideally, it is a mix of both. In this way, you’ll be able to enjoy cardio benefits in burning fats and strength training’s advantages in building muscles. It can keep the workout interesting with mixes and avoid boredom.
Bottom Line
Both cardio and strength training have their strengths where weight loss is concerned. Cardio burns calories quickly, while strength training works on developing muscles and boosting metabolism. Consider incorporating both into your routine for the best results. This will make the journey to a healthier, stronger body much more balanced with weight loss when these exercises are properly balanced.
