Priya Das Priya Das Asked 10 months ago

Is strength training better for weight loss than cardio?

I've been going to the gym and my trainer suggested focusing more on strength training for weight loss. I always thought cardio was better. Is strength training really more effective than cardio for losing weight?

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12 answers

Sanjay Grover Sanjay Grover Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago
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At my age, even breathing seems to add weight! Honestly, cardio is great for burning calories while you run, but strength training keeps burning them even when you are sitting on the sofa. I try to mix both, though my knees definitely prefer the sofa.

Ramesh Kumar Ramesh Kumar Joined Mar 2026 8 months ago

You don't need to buy expensive gym memberships or fancy equipment for either. You can do free cardio like running in a public park, and use simple bodyweight exercises like push-ups and squats at home. Spend that saved money on good protein instead.

Kishore Hegde Kishore Hegde Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

Both have their place, but strength training helps build muscle which improves your overall metabolism. Since I have high BP, my doctor advised doing moderate cardio first and then gradually adding light weight training. Always get your heart checked before starting heavy workouts.

Vikram Saxena Vikram Saxena Joined Jan 2026 10 months ago

I used to feel so anxious about which workout is 'perfect' that I ended up doing nothing at all. Trust me, just starting any movement is the most important step. Don't worry about cardio vs weights right now; just do what you enjoy and your mind will feel lighter too.

Gurnam Singh Gurnam Singh Joined Jan 2026 9 months ago

In our old days, carrying heavy groceries and working in the house was our strength training, and walking to the market was our cardio. Don't overcomplicate these modern gym terms. Just stay active, eat home-cooked food, and avoid outside sweets.

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Ritu Vyas Ritu Vyas Joined Feb 2026 8 months ago

I used to panic that lifting weights would injure me or stop my weight loss, but it actually made me look much more toned! Don't worry, strength training is completely normal and safe if you start with light weights. It's much better than just doing boring running daily.

Amit Yadav Amit Yadav Joined Feb 2026 8 months ago

Haan, weight lifting se muscle banti hai toh long run me fat loss accha hota hai, na. Sirf cardio karne se body weak lagne lagti hai thode din baad. Isiliye dono ka balance rakhna sabse sahi hai.

Meera Krishnan Meera Krishnan Joined Feb 2026 8 months ago

While both gym workouts have benefits, I found that using your own body weight through yoga and deep pranayama builds a different kind of inner strength and manages weight naturally. It keeps the mind calm and joints flexible, which is very important as we age.

Priyanka Sharma Priyanka Sharma Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

Strength training is awesome because muscle burns more calories even when you are thinking about biryani! But honestly, no matter how much you lift or run, you can't outrun a bad diet. I try to balance my love for momos with clean eating on weekdays.

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Ananya Nair Ananya Nair Joined May 2026 5 months ago

I am a bit shy to ask this, but does strength training make women look bulky? I want to lose weight but I am quite confused if I should start lifting weights at home. Any simple tip for a beginner would be really helpful.

Neha Deshmukh Neha Deshmukh Joined May 2026 5 months ago

For my PCOS, I found that heavy cardio sometimes stressed my body too much and raised cortisol. Strength training has been gentler on my system and helped with insulin resistance. But every body reacts differently, so go slow and see what suits you.

Shalini Sen Shalini Sen Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

My teenager was struggling with weight and we tried everything. We realized that a mix of cycling (cardio) and basic home strength exercises worked best to keep them active and strong. It's about building healthy habits for life, not just quick weight loss.

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