Strength training vs cardio training
When it comes to fat loss, a question a lot of people ask is am I better off doing weights training or cardio?
While the number of calories you burn depends on your size and the level of intensity during exercise, generally you will burn more calories during a cardio workout compared to a strength session of the same duration. But does this mean cardio is the better option for losing weight?
Not necessarily, and here is why.
During a weight training session you may not burn as many calories, but lifting heavy weights is much more effective at building muscle and the larger your muscle mass, the higher your basal metabolic rate (BMR). Which means - you will burn more calories at rest. The effects of your strength session will continue long after your actual workout and your metabolic rate will be much higher on the days you have done a weight session. So while you may burn more calories during a cardio session, you are likely to burn more in total from a weight session as the calories burnt throughout that entire day will likely be higher.
Another important benefit of weight training is bone health. Any activity that puts our bones and muscles under stress encourages new cells to form within the bone which results in stronger, denser bones. This is super important to prevent common age related bone diseases such as osteoporosis which causes bones to become fragile and vulnerable to breaking.
Cardio on the other hand is important for heart health. When you do any kind of cardio workout, your heart rate goes up and you start breathing heavier as your body tries to get more oxygen to your blood. Cardio exercise helps boost your aerobic capacity (how much oxygen your blood gets and uses) and allows your heart and lungs to move oxygen through your body more efficiently. This will not only help you get through longer workouts, but also prevents heavy breathing and shortness of breath when out walking, taking the stairs or playing in the backyard with the kids.
So in conclusion, both cardio and weights have their own individual health benefits and work together in losing weight. While you may burn more calories in a cardio workout, your metabolism will likely stay higher for longer after a weights session and weight training is more efficient for building muscle.
So, the ultimate exercise program for improving body composition and health includes both cardio and weights training.
By Isabel D’Aloia
