What type of excercise, weights or cardio?

Question

I gained twenty pounds when I moved to a new place. I've managed to lose ten pounds by changing my eating habits to salad, water, and portion sizes. To lose the other ten pounds, I am exercising at the gym. My question is, should I focus more on cardio or weight training? I try to do both as much as possible but I want to know which is the best way to lose weight.

Answer 1

A combination is best. You will retain a bit of weight when you gain some muscle tone, just because muscle is much denser than fat, but that's it.

Cardio is good for more immediate calorie burning during the exercise itself. Strength training will actually force your body to metabolize calories during rest also, which cardio cannot do.

If you're doing a combination now, I'd say you're on the right track. Instead of going purely by the scale, do bodyfat measurements (not BMI) and see how your clothes fit, etc.

Change up your routine once in a while, and increase intensity as you become more advanced. This doesn't necessarily mean quantity, just higher intensity during your workout. Try some cross-training (do bike instead of treadmill, for instance) once in a while.

Don't neglect your diet either. A good diet is just as important as exercise.

Be consistent, don't give up and results will come. The most successful programs are those that become a lifestyle. It may take a little time and effort, but it's worth it by far. Do some research and make a hobby out of it.

Good luck, and good job for starting something! Keep it up and you'll be an uber-hottie before you know it.

Answer 2

Cardio is the only way to loose weight after cutting calories. You must burn fat, so do some cross training on other machines if you can or take a spin class. Do intervals especially to change your heart rate and get it up in the 70% rate for about 3-5 minutes then back it down for the same time and alternate back and forth during your work out. This also builds endurance. If you can't do your cardio all at one time, break it up into 2 or 3 sessions a day. Your goal should be 30-45 minutes 3-4 times a week. Weights are important too for toning while your loosing weight. We have Body Pump at my gym and it's awesome. Works out your whole body in an hour. I do it once a week and then target my two problem areas on two other days a week. I also do abs in between and Yoga. Yoga really helps because of the breathing and in does strengthen your core and arm muscles.

Answer 3

A combination of both is best.

You shouldn't focus on your weight as much as you should focus on how you feel, look and fit into your cloths. Weight lifting will cause you to build muscle mass, which is a good thing. Problem with muscle mass is it weights more. Good thing about muscle mass is it causes your metabolism to run "harder" meaning your resting metabolic (amount of calories you burn while resting) is higher. Advantage - you get to eat more w/o gaining weight.

Cardio burns more calories, but it doesn't build muscle.

Your gym time should be divided between both, however you should give your body a day off between weight training sessions. I'd recommend cardio everyday and weights every other day.

Answer 4

Focus on cardio but don't forget weight training. It's like a 2-1 thing for girls. Exercise 4 days and weight train 2 days. You need a little muscle to cut fat when you not active, but cardio should be your main focus. Good luck!!

-Dave

Answer 5

A combination of both is best for losing weight. The cardio burns calories and raises your metabolism rate. The weight training increases your muscle mass, which can increase your resting metabolism rate, which helps you burn more calories throughout the day, even while you are not actively exercising. Keep going with both!

Answer 6

Cardio is always good for losing weight, but try to do at least some weight training three times a week because you don't want to lose muscle mass.

Answer 7

Cardio is the best thing to do to lose weight.
Adding muscle is good too though (muscle burns calories), but you won't lose as much weight as if you did cardio.
I suggest doing some high-intensity cardio for the last 10 pounds, they are the hardest to get off.. but don't get discouraged if they don't come off as quickly as you'd like; the slower it comes off, the better, because then the weight will stay off.

Answer 8

To lose weight you must keep your heart rate at an elevated level so weight training unless you're going really fast isn't going to do that for you. Weight training is for strenght gain and muscle health.

Answer 9

cardio is the best to lose, weight training is the best to make your body look toned and amazing. good luck on the last ten pounds. i HATE the last ten pounds.

Answer 10

For losing weight, cardio is best as it burns calories faster than weight lifting. Weights are best for toning or building muscle. However, weight lifting can actually increase your weight.