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Cardio vs Weight Training | Which Workout Routine is Best for Weight Loss?

One of the greatest struggles many people face when trying to lose weight is the very well-known question – Cardio vs Weight Training? They are both types of exercise and when it comes to exercising for weight loss, which one do you think is superior? 

Here are the advantages of each and reveal your perfect weight loss workout routine below.

CARDIO | THE FAT-BURNING MACHINE

Cardio is a type of workout that church-goers commonly refer to as The Fat-Burning Machine.

Cardio or cardiovascular exercise is thought to be one of the most effective means to lose weight in the shortest time possible. As in any kind of aerobic exercise such as running, cycling, or swimming, cardio gets your blood flowing and loses a considerable amount of calories within a given period.

– Burns More Calories per Session: If we compare the two, then cardio for weight loss would probably help burn more calories in one session as compared to weight training. For instance, you will use about 250 calories when you take a moderate thirty-minute jog, if you jog at a faster rate of 6 miles per hour, you are likely to use about 365 calories. At the same time, the same amount of time spent on weight training will burn between 130 – 220 calories.

– Effective Fat-Burner: Because cardio involves raising your heart rate and maintaining continuous motion, fat loss is huge in this category. The more intense the cardio, the more calories will be expended and that makes it one of the best exercises for weight loss.

SUMMARY: Cardio seems to use more calories during a training session hence the number one fat-burning exercise. But burning fat is not the only aspect that should motivate a balanced weight loss workout routine.

WEIGHT TRAINING | THE MUSCLE-BUILDING MECHANISM BOOSTER

Whereas cardio burns calories while exercising, weight training for weight loss has another benefit of increasing your metabolic rate even after you have left the gym. Strength training, such as lifting weights, builds muscle, and that is where the process takes place.

– Increased Resting Metabolism: Muscular tissue, compared with adipose tissue, has a higher metabolic rate, even when the individual is at rest. Therefore, when you are putting on that muscle you have not only etched your body, but you’ve also made it a fat-burning furnace. Research has come up with findings that suggest that even after a session of weight training, your metabolic rate remains high for up to 38 hours. 

What this means is you are still burning calories even during resting periods!

– Shaping the Body: In addition to increasing your calorie burn rate, weight training can also assist in giving your body the right shape and firmness. While cardio enables you to shed kilos, weight training expertise on the fact that one can shed flab and not tone, making you look more cut.

SUMMARY: While weight training requires less energy you burn during the actual workout, this type of training elevates your resting metabolic rate so you continue to burn calories even after your training session is complete.

HIIT WORKOUTS| THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) is here, and it turns out that it has great benefits from both cardio and weight training. A HIIT workout is a healthy workout that involves exercising at a high intensity for a small time and then taking a small rest in between, and it can consist of both cardiovascular and resistance exercises.

– Maximizes Calorie Burn: Research indicates that HIIT is likely to be up to 30 percent more effective in fat burning than steady, slow cardio for a similar amount of time invested. Also, similar to weight training, HIIT helps keep your metabolism rate high for hours after the effective session and reduces the time needed to achieve the goal.

– Time-Efficient: It is for this reason that one of the biggest advantages of HIIT is that it doesn’t take very long to achieve similar benefits to those offered by longer sessions of regular cardio – perfect for anyone who is pressed for time.

SUMMARY: HIIT workouts A vigorous fat elimination exercise regime, as effective as Cardio and Weight Training for quick and effective fat shedding.

ADVANTAGES OF PERFORMING CARDIOVASCULAR AND WEIGHT TRAINING EXERCISES

When it comes to making the best weight loss routine, the fact of the matter is that neither cardio nor weight training is a superior option. 

  • The American College of Sports Medicine suggests that both modes should be used, as the results are even better.
  • Cardio exercises are easy to deal with because it is so effective in shedding fat while weight training will help you pack more lean muscles that can help increase your basal metabolic rate.

This way, both help you lose weight and increase your body awareness—consuming fats and charring muscles while preserving or even growing lean mass.

SUMMARY: Cardio, as well as weight training, is ideal for other reasons apart from losing flab; this prepares the individual for the best body-building exercises by improving the physical appearance.

THE ROLE OF DIET IN WEIGHT LOSS

As much as exercise is important in weight loss, it is always important to regard the aspect of diet. There are no quick fixes to weight loss; the secret lies in eating a proper diet, which includes a proper diet and regular exercise. It does not matter whether you are focusing on cardio, weight training, or HIIT; supplement your workouts with a perfect nutrition plan to achieve the best results.

CONCLUSION!

Remember the saying, ‘The best exercise is the one that can be managed to the end’. 

Whether you choose to run on the treadmill, perform calf rises or bench presses, what is important is that you do it every single day in pursuit of weight loss.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Which is better for weight loss, cardio exercises or weight training?

Both are useful, though cardio and weight training when the two are done together offer special results for shedding pounds and improving the tone of muscles.

2. Can I lose weight just by doing cardio?  

Yes, cardio exercises are useful for burning many calories and reducing fat but incorporating weights increases one’s metabolism and muscle mass.

3. What frequency of cardio and weight training is more effective in weight loss?  

Strive for at least 150 minutes of aerobics and two to three days of weight lifting per week for optimal weight loss.

4. Which Cardio is more effective for weight loss?  

HIIT is considered to be extremely efficient in fat loss and increasing metabolism with a minimum time dedication.

5. Does weight lifting burn your belly fat?  

Indeed, weight training aids in weight loss in the long run, and as you put on muscles, belly fat reduces as well.

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