Weight Loss: Cardio vs. Strength Training

This may be one of the most common questions personal trainers get. What will help me lose weight best? Cardio or Strength Training. Well, the answer depends on what you mean by "lose weight." If you are in an epic battle with your scale, cardio is the way to go. If you want to appear steamy in those yoga pants, though, it's time to embrace strength training.

Minute per minute, cardio simply burns more calories than strength training. This explains why cardio exercisers lose more weight in less time than strength trainers, according to a recent Duke University study. 

With this said, cardio still doesn't do much for your muscles. Case in point: In one Penn State study, dieters lost 21 pounds whether they performed cardio or strength training. But for the cardio group, six of those pounds came from muscles, while the lifters lost almost pure fat-and probably fit into their skinny jeans better because of it. 

Why? Strength training is the number-one way to build more muscle. And for every three pounds of muscle you gain, you can expect to burn an extra 120 calories a day without moving a single one of those muscles. 

This doesn't mean you should skip out on cardio. Do what you love to do. This is the bottom line. If you like to walk, walk. If you enjoy swimming, swim. A fitness plan that includes both cardio and strength training is THE BEST SOLUTION!

Have a great weekend : )