If you are just starting your fitness journey and wondering whether your strength training or cardio sessions at the Fitness Room Honeybourne offer the most effective route to weight loss, you’re not alone!

Most people on a quest to lose weight find themselves confused between which of the two most popular types of workouts will offer the best results, with many in the fitness industry offering differing views on the benefits of cardio versus strength training.

But first things first, what exactly is the primary difference between cardio training and strength training? 

Strength Training

This is the term used to describe any exercise that strengthens your muscles. From kettlebell swings to walking lunges, strength training exercises can involve using free weights, weight machines or your own bodyweight to build muscle.  

Cardiovascular (Cardio) Exercises

This includes any exercise that raises your heart rate, from sprinting on a treadmill to simply climbing up the stairs at home. 

So, let’s take a look at what cardio and strength training have in common: 

  1. They’re both good for you 
  2. Both can result in weight loss 
  3. Both can leave you sweating! 

Fantastic! However, there are a few key differences, and how much you integrate either one into your own fitness journey may be dependent on these as well as your own personal goals.

To help you reach that decision, here are some of the main cardio versus strength training points you should keep in mind: 

Cardio workouts burn more calories during your session 

If immediate calorie burn is your primary goal, aim for more cardio sessions at the gym. You’ll typically burn a higher number of calories during a cardio workout than a strength training session. The exact calories you burn will depend on your weight and the amount of effort you put in.

Strength training burns more calories after your session

Although cardio helps you burn calories as you work out, strength training is more effective at helping you burn more calories after you train! The more muscle you have in your body, the more calories it burns even while at rest because muscle requires more energy to sustain it. So ultimately, strength training is better at building muscle than cardio.

For best results mix it up! 

It’s best to combine multiple types of training if you want effective and long-lasting results. 

Strength training is highly effective at building muscle and changing your body composition, and cardio will help you burn fat! A combination of cardio and strength training will be the most effective mix if you want to see changes that last.

Combine your workouts with a healthy diet for long-term results 

You’ve heard the saying ‘you can’t out-train a bad diet’. Well, it’s true. Whatever training you’re doing, you’ll need to combine your exercise plan with a consistently healthy diet for the best results.

Ultimately, both cardio training and strength training (along with a nutritious diet) are effective workouts that lead to a healthier and fitter life. 

The Fitness Room Honeybourne offers a friendly, safe gym environment, personal training, workout and meal plans. Call us on 07540 060269‬  for a free consultation and more information.