What is better for fat loss- Cardio or Weights?

Question

I am fat though!

If I do weights, won't I just build muscle under the fat and be some hulk sorta person!

In which case, should I only be doing Cardio until I am somewhat slim, THEN worry about weights?

Answer 1

Short term cardio, but long term both. Muscle burns 3 times more calories than fat to sustain.

But the real answer is reducing your intake. If you drink 3-12oz. cokes a day, that's 450 calories. Depending on your size, that's about 1 hour of hard cardio. I'd pass on the cokes or something similar.

REDUCE CALORIE INTAKE!

Answer 2

LV is correct, strength training will burn calories 24 hours a day. Doing cardio only for fat loss is old school. The more muscle you have, the higher your RMR is. Also, strength training provides a list of other benifits such as increased testosterone and GH production (big fat burner), greater insulin response and increased fat burning as your muscles recover and repair themselves, even while sleeping. Cardio cannot do that.

If you're just starting out, do light cardio for 2-3 weeks so your body gets used to exercise and builds some endurance, then hit the weights. Combine that with some high intensity cardio and that'll shoot your metabolism through the roof.

Be sure not to neglect your diet. Diet is the #1 contributor to the success of your overall fitness program, and the one thing most people neglect or underestimate. Your gains will be minimal without big changes in your diet.

Answer 3

You don't do weights like guys who want big muscles do weights. You work every muscle, starting out at a very low weight, and just do 3 sets of 12 reps or so until you build up tolerance, and you won't get bulky. But working your muscle like that burns fat more than twice as long as cardio. After you do weights, you can leave the gym and for hours, your muscles are still burning fat, so in the long run it's better for you. But before doing weights, you should walk for 15-20 minutes to get your heart rate up so it's in the position to start burning. Do that every other day, and on the off days, do cardio, that's the best system for you!

Answer 4

Pairing the two is best. Cardio slims down the fat, while weights tone the muscles. Pairing the two creates a healthy and balanced workout. Spend 30 minutes doing cardio, anout 20 lifting weights, and then another 10 minutes of light cardio to cool down.

Answer 5

You can still lose the weight, don't be discouraged, ESPECIALLY because you're already a motivated and living an active and healthy life style. Watch what you cut out of your diet, and maybe add a daily vitamin too. Something you should try doing (if you haven't already) is eating 12 times a day, rather than having 3 big meals. Make sure you're getting enough sleep, that's extremely important in losing weight because if your body isn't rested it will feel weak rather than healthy and start storing food that you intake. Something else you can do is drink 'Cali Girl Brand Dieters Drink', which is a hot green tea that cleanses your system by increasing bowel movements so that you get nutrients from food without retaining the fat in them, all that takes is a large mug a day (you can find that at a dollar store or really cheap online. And be aware that you probably want to start that on a weekend you're spending at home because the first two day it gets rid of the toxins in your body) And my final suggestion is cross fit, check it it out, because it seems like you're really active and you may just need something new. P.S. Are you sure you aren't just gaining muscle? it weighs more than fat and all your working out may be resulting in that.

Answer 6

BOTH, you need help if you say you are fat. Cardio will build up your cardio respiratory endurance and increase your immune system and weights will strengthen your fat joints simoultaneously gaining muscle mass which will rapidly burn calories. Seriously do both but with weights start at a lower weight with lots of reps. Did you consider changing your diet?

Answer 7

Do both.

Cardio will burn the calories in the short term, but building muscle will increase your metobolic rate to burn more calories over a period of time.

I'd just do your typical cardio workout but include the use of small weigths to reduce exercise time while covering both aspects.

If you are "fat" you need to take extra care not to damage your joints so take it easy. You might be better just cutting down the calories and walking/swimming for exercise until you achieve a more moderate weight.

Answer 8

Cardio is great for losing weight. Just be sure to keep your heart rate at the target rate. You should also definitely do light weights. Be sure to mix your routine up so your body doesn't get used to the same old thing. Gaining muscle tone will help you burn more fat. At first you may not see results but stick to it and you will see a change.

And remember, muscle weighs more than fat so don't go stepping on that scale everyday.

Answer 9

I found a very good resource on how to get rid of cellulite http://www.goobypls.com/r/rd.asp?gid=539

Anyways.... these are some basic tips that you can follow:

Drinking water can help to decrease cellulite, however not for the reason that you typically may listen. Water is useful for the skin, and can help improving your elasticity and make your skin look tighter and more youthful. This makes you look younger and can help tighten the skin on thighs and butt. Many "specialists" say that running, biking, and cardio are great things you can do to reduce cellulite. While this is somewhat good, its surely not the quickest or best approach to do it. I think that targeted resistance training can lead to fastest results. it also a more effective way of burning the fat fast, contrary to what people think. Check the program I suggested and you will start seeing results very quickly.

Answer 10

Cardio to warm up because this increases heart rate which improves your stamina then do weights.