Cardio vs weights: which is better for fat loss?

When it comes to fat loss, many people find themselves torn between two popular options: cardio and weight training. Both methods have their benefits, each claiming superiority in helping you lose unwanted fat. In this article, we delve into the pros of both approaches to help you determine which one is more effective in achieving your fat loss goals.

The case for cardio

Cardiovascular exercises, such as running, cycling, or swimming, are often considered the go-to choice for burning calories and losing fat. There is no question that in terms of calorie burn – cardio gives you the biggest bang for your buck, time-wise. Engaging in cardio activities elevates your heart rate and sustains it for an extended period, resulting in increased energy expenditure which can help you create a calorie deficit and lose fat.

Cardiovascular workouts also provide additional benefits. They improve cardiovascular health, enhance endurance, and boost overall fitness levels. Cardio exercise is also accessible and can be easily incorporated into most people’s daily routines, making them a practical option for many.

But even with all of these benefits there is something you need to know – cardio is not a requirement to lose fat. You can create a calorie deficit through your diet alone.

The case for weight training

While cardio can certainly assist when it comes to losing fat and also improving overall health, weight training should not be overlooked! Weight training promotes body composition changes, shifting the balance towards muscle and reducing body fat percentage. This not only contributes to a more “toned” or defined appearance (which most of us are after) but also improves overall metabolic health.

One of the primary advantages of weight training is its ability to build and maintain muscle mass, which is something you can’t achieve through cardio. Increased muscle mass translates to a higher resting metabolic rate, meaning your body continues to burn calories even at rest. Not only does this help you lose fat, it also helps you manage your weight more easily in the future.

Weight training also has so many other health benefits for women including increased strength, improved posture and balance, improved joint health and mobility, increased bone density and osteoporosis prevention, and improved self-confidence just to name a few.

The verdict: both have their place

When it comes to fat loss, the most effective approach is not an either-or decision between cardio and weight training – both have their place.

By incorporating cardio sessions into your routine, you can increase your calorie expenditure, while improving your cardiovascular fitness at the same time. On the other hand, weight training ensures the preservation (and growth) of muscle mass, promotes an increased metabolic rate, and contributes to better long-term weight management.

Here at Find Your Balance we prefer our clients to focus on weight training when it comes to fat loss due to the immense amount of benefits when it comes to improving body composition and overall health. We use cardio primarily as a tool to help increase calorie expenditure when we need to in order to help break through fat loss plateaus. Each client is different and we tailor our approach to suit our clients preferences and goals.

At the end of the day it is important to remember that you will NOT lose fat unless you are in a calorie deficit, so ensuring this is the fundamental factor to achieving your fat loss goals.

If you need help with a personalised fat loss strategy that will help you lose fat effectively without sacrificing your lifestyle or spending hours and hours exercising each week, we’d love to help you through our Premium 1:1 Coaching. Click here to find out more and to apply now!