Why Doing Cardio and Weights Helps to Lose Weight Fast

What’s better if you want to lose weight fast – Cardio or Weights?

Well, if you search the Internet, you will see the same argument over and over again: which should you focus on: cardio or weights? For some reason, the vast majority of people think that you have to choose between the two, and most will take one side or the other.

However, if you want to lose weight fast, you shouldn’t pick between the two options. Instead, you should combine them. In fact, the secret to the fastest weight loss routine that will get you lean and ripped quicker than you imagined, is to do both. Why is that?

“Strength training, by itself, builds muscles. Lean muscles burn fat, even when the body is at rest. But, no matter how strong or defined a muscle is, if it is hidden under layers of fat, then the muscle will not show through. In order to gain definition a [person] should do cardio training on top of strength training.” (Kopf)

Why Strength Training Is Good

Strength training is important to weight loss and fitness. As you build muscles, those muscles will start burning fat. This is a good way to stay thinner and healthier in the long run as well. By lifting weights, you also will burn fat during the exercise itself.

Through time, you can lose weight through strength training, but it may take longer than you prefer. If you want to lose weight quickly and build up muscle definition, then you also need to add in cardio.

Why Cardio Is Good

When you do cardio exercise, you will be burning more calories than you consume in a day, and that means fat loss. If you have too much fat on your body, then you need to get rid of it before your newly toned muscles will show through.

Cardio is important also for your overall health. It strengthens all muscles including your heart and this means a lower chance of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.

How to Combine the Two

When you combine cardio and weight training, you need to keep a few things in your mind so that you can make the most of your exercise:

• Alternate your routines. You need to do cardio one day and then weight training the next for the best results. By essentially confusing your muscles, you will be able to work them harder and more efficiently.

• Make sure you know how to safely work out. Hyperextending joints like knees and elbows can be very painful and can even lead to injury.
  Alignment is always important. Whether you are doing cardio or you are weight training, you need to make sure you are keep your back flat, straight, and strong, not arched. Make sure you are always keeping your abdominal muscles tense no matter the type of exercise.

• Always remember to breath. In weight training, you should breathe in during the weight lifting itself and then breathe out when you relax. During cardio, you need a steady rhythm of breathing at all times.

Adding in Rest and Nutrition

In addition to using both weight training and cardio for the best results, you need to make sure you are getting the proper nutrition and rest. The key to losing weight quickly means eating properly, and the best way to drop the pounds quickly is to use a healthy, low carb diet.

Additionally, you need to get enough rest. It is recommended that you get between 7-8 hours of sleep every night. After weight training or working out in any way, your muscles need time to recover. That’s how they build up more strongly. Rest is required for this recovery process.

Instead of falling for the old trap that you need to choose between weight training and cardio, you need to realize how important it is to do both when you want to lose weight fast. Weight training will build your muscles more strongly and burn fat. Cardio will burn away the fat you already have stored so that your toned muscles will show through. Of course, to lose weight quickly, you need to follow the right type of program, stay healthy, get enough rest, and eat the proper foods.

Works Cited:  Fitday