02/04/2014
Is Cardio or Weight Lifting Better For Losing Weight?
Answer: Both. What matters most is the way you train, the system you train under, and your lifestyle. These days, most workout programs incorporate both, often during the same workout. Most "cardio" work has an element of resistance training, either in the form of added weight or plyometric movements, while most "weight lifting" work has a cardio element because it's done in circuits.
There are two myths inherent in this age-old question. The first is that weight training will make you bulky. The second is that cardio doesn't build muscle. Let's dispel these once and for all.
Myth 1: Weight Training Will Make You Bulky
Gaining bulk is hard. It takes a ton of energy for your body to add muscle. During the initial stages of any kind of intense training, especially one you're not used to, your body releases excess amounts of the hormone cortisol, which causes your body to retain water. Some people think this means they are bulking up when, in reality, it's just the body adapting to the training. It happens whether you are trying to gain or lose weight and has nothing to do with gaining actual muscle mass. Once your body adapts to the new training, the cortisol release ceases and your body flushes the excess water.
Myth 2: Cardio Doesn't Build Muscle
This second myth is trickier. Cardio is a catchall term for any training that elevates your heart rate for the entire workout. Since almost all weight training is done circuit style, your heart rate remains elevated during both cardio and weight training workouts. Modern cardio training is almost always an offshoot of interval training, which means it's a mix of aerobic and anaerobic training. And this builds muscle.
Adding muscle increases your metabolism and that's what helps you lose weight... as long as you're not eating too much.
What Is the Best Way to Lose Weight?
The best way to lose weight is to follow a solid training system that targets weight...
