Most people who have been exercising for a while typically chose a “side” of working out that they prefer the most. Some subscribe to the idea that the best way to lose weight is to do weight training. Others maintain that cardiovascular exercise is the only way to increase your metabolism, and is therefore the best.
How weird that people have such intense loyalties at the expense of a full workout!
Everyone is limited by time and energy. You can’t devote your entire day to working out, and even if you did, you’d be so tired that you would be completely useless anyways.
So, obviously you need to make sacrifices when deciding how best to divide your workout. If you want to lose weight and be fit, the biggest question you must be asking yourself is: what should I devote most of my time doing?
Why I Prefer Weight Training For Weight Loss
Personally, I’m a big believer in the power of weight training. The reasoning is simple: when you run or jog, the amount of calories you consume is limited to the time you spend running. Weight training, on the other hand, requires continual energy, both during for the actual lifting, and after to repair the torn muscle.
Also, once you gain more mass, the amount of energy you expend just sitting down is increase, since it takes so much more energy just to maintain your new body. In other words, with weight training, you can lose weight even when you’re sleeping.
This isn’t to take anything away from cardio. In some of the other post I put up, I mentioned that muscle fatigue occurs because of the inability for the body to circulate both oxygen into the cells, and lactic acid out. How efficient the body is at doing this has a lot to do with a person’s cardio.
Often, a person working out will not maximize weight lifting due simply to cardiovascular failure. Therefore, maintaining a good degree of cardio health is integral.
I see a lot of people, especially girls, which are distrustful of weight training.
They have it in their minds that if they work out, they will develop huge muscles that will make them look unattractive and manly.
Little do they know that actually getting big requires a huge commitment, and that most individuals simply don’t produce enough testosterone to even come close to the size of competitive bodybuilders. What they are missing out on is the chance to become leaner, fitter, and a lot stronger.
The best way to achieve balance is to develop a routine that focuses primarily on weight training, but not at the expense of cardio.
Personally, I find that a quick, intense jog in the morning is enough to maintain a good cardio level without sacrificing my ability to weight train.
Over time, you might find a system that works for you.
Remember that to maximize your weight training, it’s better if you end with cardio, rather than begin. This will allow you the energy you need to get the most out of your routine.
Bowflex
SelectTech Dumbbells
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