Strength Training or Cardio for FAT Loss?

Which would you choose?

Strength Training. OR Cardio.

It seems like Cardio would be the obvious answer for FAT loss. Cardio burns calories while you are exercising. Cardio sessions usually leave you sweaty, and tired. When you are using the elliptical, or treadmill, or whichever machine at the gym, it tells you how many calories you are burning. It makes you feel like you really worked out hard.

However, if you really want to lose fat and keep it off, then you should choose strength training. Now I am not saying you have to give up all cardio... I am just saying that you need to have a strength training routine if you really want to lose fat and keep it off.

Research shows that when comparing cardio vs. strength training, those who did at least 2 strength training sessions a week with no cardio had a lower obesity risk than those who only did cardio. Strength training helps with more long term fat loss per minute than cardio exercise.

Strength training burns more calories throughout the day vs. Cardio training that burns calories during your sessions. Cardio usually burns calories quicker in a session, but once you stop the exercise the fat burning stops. Strength training increases your metabolic rate over time, and cardio does not. Strength training helps to build muscle and muscle has been shown to increase energy expenditure.

Strength training has also been shown to improve appetite control more than cardio.

In the long run, strength training is generally more effective to reduce your energy intake and increase your energy expenditure than cardio. If your primary goal is FAT loss, you should spend the time to strength train first and then look at adding in cardio. Cardio isn't a magic tool for FAT loss, but only a tool to impact energy balance. If you are trying to lose fat, cardio can be used as a tool to reduce overall calories, but if you control your nutrition and strength training, then cardio can be less.

In real life, the easiest way to lose fat = Strength train + Nutrition + Daily Movement. It doesn't have to be complicated, and you don't have to do cardio all day every day. If you are struggling with losing fat, and need some easy tips to get started, join my FREE Facebook community, 6T Fit Coaching.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/934951633596444