Thread: Weights VS Cardio, why are we wrong?

Hi all,

I read the Training For Fat Loss sticky post and found it really enlightening, because as the author states, I was also one of the many who thought that if you wanted to lose weight, you should do cardio period.

If you read the post with a rational approach, everything in there makes perfect sense, so I began wondering why so many people don't think that way.

Thinking of my own experience, I believe that most of us go to cardio for weight loss because of the examples we see. Because at least in the gyms that I have frequented so far, normally the fit lean guys are the ones that are always on the treadmills etc, and normally the guys that you only see weight training are big bulky guys, but also not very lean, they have muscles but also fat.

Why do you guys think this happens? Are the weight training guys just eating wrong?

Because I believe that many people don't go further into weight training because they don't want to have that type of body.

Probably a number of factors. One possibility is that the people who are only weight training are concentrating their efforts toward bulking, which often results in the accumulation of body fat as well.

Another option is that the people who are on the treadmills a lot are doing more than just running. There's a probable chance that they're doing weight training as well to receive a more, all-round type of strength and conditioning training.

Moral of the story, find a balance between the two, and you'll generally be healthier than people who only do one or the other.

You hit the nail on the head. It comes down to nutritional intake, not mode of exercise.

However, as with all things, there are exceptions.

Best of Wishes,

Kyle

No, I believe they are not doing any wrong. See, we all know that cardio is not the fastest way to lose weight. I prefer cardio because I do not want to build muscle heavily.

But think about others. They have different purpose. They want to burn more calories as well as like to build muscle in their body. They would prefer strength training more than cardio.

We all know that strength training helps builds muscle, and more muscle helps you burn more calories -- even when you're doing nothing but sitting on the couch.

I believe, strength training is a critical component of any program than emphasizes long-term fat loss. The more muscle you have, the more fuel you are constantly burning. This is the advantage strength training offers if your goal is to lean out.

A treadmill or elliptical trainer is often seen as the quick fix to shed body fat, and they are certainly useful if your goal is to improve cardiovascular health, endurance or simply to burn some extra calories, but strength training is a powerful ally.