The debate between cardio and strength training for fat loss is one that has been ongoing in the fitness world. Both forms of exercise have their benefits, but which one is better for losing weight?
Cardiovascular exercise, often shortened to ‘cardio’, involves any activity that raises your heart rate and keeps it elevated for a period of time. This includes activities such as running, swimming, cycling or even dancing. The main benefit of cardio is its ability to burn calories quickly. For example, an hour of moderate-intensity cardio can burn around 400-600 calories depending on your weight and intensity level. Additionally, regular cardio workouts improve cardiovascular health, increase lung capacity and endurance.
On the other hand, strength training primarily involves lifting weights or doing exercises using your own bodyweight like push-ups or squats. Strength training builds muscle mass which not only makes you stronger but also increases your resting metabolic rate (RMR). This means that even when you’re not exercising – sitting on the couch or sleeping – you’re burning more calories if you have more muscle mass compared with someone who has less.
So how do these two forms of exercise stack up against each other when it comes to fat loss? Research thca flower has shown that in terms of pure calorie burning during a workout session, cardio typically wins out over strength training. However, this doesn’t tell the entire story.
Strength training’s impact on RMR could mean greater overall calorie burn throughout the day compared to an equivalent amount of time spent doing cardio. Furthermore, building muscle can help shape and tone your body giving a leaner appearance despite what numbers on the scale might suggest.
Moreover, combining both types of exercises may be most effective for fat loss according to recent studies. A study published in Obesity found people who did both kinds of workout lost more belly fat than those who only did aerobic exercise alone.
In conclusion while both types are beneficial for health and well-being; if your goal is solely fat loss, incorporating both cardio and strength training into your routine may be the best approach. However, it’s important to remember that exercise alone isn’t enough for weight loss – diet also plays a crucial role. Therefore, pairing regular physical activity with a balanced diet will yield the best results in terms of fat loss. It’s always recommended to consult with fitness professionals or healthcare providers before starting any new workout regimen to ensure it aligns with individual health conditions and goals.