For years, the big question on everyone’s lips – and something that divides many fitness experts – is whether cardio or lifting weights is best for losing the pounds. The hotly-debated topic (which has the tendency to jump back and forth) might finally have some resolution, according to Health.com.
According to a Duke University study – the largest of its kind – the best exercise for weight loss was found to be aerobic. Also known as cardio, this type of exercise requires an increase in your heart and breathing rates, and gets your blood pumping.
The researchers tracked 119 overweight (and previously sedentary) volunteers as they embarked on one of three exercise programmes – resistance/strength-based training, cardio or a combination of both. The group performing aerobic exercise became the clear winners when it came to weight loss – and lost 4lbs, compared to their strength-based training peers who lost 2lbs.
It is important to highlight that, those who did strength training, added to their weight with lean mass, but the added muscle didn’t lead to meaningful fat loss. Those doing cardio exercises actually lost more body fat, despite exercising 47 minutes less a week than the strength-based exercisers.
What about the cardio and resistance team? Although they spent twice as long in the gym, compared to both the other groups, these participants improved their body composition the best – adding muscle and losing the most fat.
