Weight Training VS Cardio

Do you want to lose weight and have a sleek, toned figure but you’re hesitant to weight train? Maybe you’ve tirelessly tried to be a cardio bunny but have hit a plateau and aren’t seeing the results you want.

Women especially tend to avoid adding weights to their fitness routines because they’re worried about gaining weight and looking too “bulky” or “manly.” Realistically though, you would have to lift some incredibly heavy weight and increase your calorie intake significantly in order to be on your way to a bodybuilder’s frame.

Instead, by steadily adding weights to your routine, you’ll build nice lean muscle that gives the toned look most of us are striving for. Check out these reasons why you should start weight training:

Weight Training Increases Metabolism
After a weight training session, studies indicate that the metabolism is boosted up to 36 hours after your workout has ended!  That fired-up metabolism will burn calories for an entire day and a half, which adds up quickly to big changes and fat loss. In contrast, you would have to complete a significantly longer cardio session to achieve similar metabolism boosting.

More Muscle = More Calories Torched
When you gain more lean muscle mass, you’re building up the ability for your body to burn more calories. Three pounds of added muscle can burn up to 120 extra calories throughout the day!

Long-Term Results
Muscle tissue is long lasting. So, once you’ve shed fat and gained lean muscle, those changes will remain longer than if you only lost weight through cardio.

Weights Sculpt the Body
Lifting weights allows you to target and sculpt certain areas of the body quicker than by aerobic activity alone. Even if the scale isn’t budging, you will notice your clothes fitting better. This is why it’s important to pay more attention to how you’re looking and feeling than to focus on the number on the scale. 

Conclusion
If you still love cardio, by all means keep at it! Remember — if you love what you’re doing it’s more likely you’ll stick with the routine. Plus, cardio is excellent for cardiovascular health. Studies indicate that sprinting is a form of cardio with fat burning benefits comparable to weight training, so try adding sprints next time you’re craving a sweat session.

Now that you’re armed with this information, try to keep your workouts a blend of cardio and weight training to see optimal fat loss success.



Sources:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/fat_loss_training_wars.htm

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/cardio-vs-weight-training