Many of us are still not sure whether weight or cardio training is the more effective for weight loss. But what are the benefits of the two? Both have their advantages and disadvantages for improving fitness.
Depending on your aim with fitness regimes, either one will benefit you differently. Are you hoping to lose weight or condition yourself? To this day especially within the female population, it is assumed that cardio is the way of losing weight most effectively, this, however, is incorrect, weight training is just as effective for females as it is for males. With the right workouts and a balanced diet, there is no risk of gaining ‘too much muscle’ it will just aid you in your fat loss more efficiently.
Cardio burns more calories throughout your workout
Advantages:
- High-calorie burns during the session
- Great for low-intensity workouts
- Continued exercise (no disruptions – unlike weight training)
- Do-able anywhere (does not require a gym)
Disadvantages:
- Injuries & strains through exercises such as running
- Difficult to stay motivated & focused due to the longevity
- Not enough as a single exercise regime
Weight training burns more calories after your workout
Advantages:
- Quick increase in muscle mass
- Increase in metabolism after workout burning more calories after workout
- Muscle gain and fat loss will happen simultaneously
Disadvantages:
- Fewer calories burned during sessions compared to cardio
- Can increase interruption of a healthy diet – hunger will increase so not eating enough will be counterproductive.
- Misleading information on the market
- Gyms needed – high cost.
Our recommendation; Weight training (if your purpose of training is to lose weight), if you are trying to work on your conditioning rather than weight loss cardio will be more beneficial for you.
Due to the continued burning of calories after you finish weight training it tends to be the most effective in achieving fat loss, it will also assist you in building muscle mass easily. However, if you are striving for a well-rounded health regime doing both types of training are beneficial. Through the cardio sessions, you will be able to burn a high number of calories as well as improving your conditioning. Ideally, you can alternate between your weight and cardio sessions, this allows your body to rest from the weight training but continue burning calories efficiently.
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