So, do you have to do cardio to lose weight?
The simple answer is no.
Would it help the process if you included some form of cardio?
Yes, as long as you don’t rely just on cardio!
Many people think of weight loss and the first thing that comes to their mind is hours of cardio.
Cardio does help you burn calories, but ultimately, it’s not going to help you lose weight. In fact, it may make you “skinny” fat.
Skinny fat means that you lose more lean muscle mass and less body fat, leaving you with a higher body fat percentage.
And this isn’t good, especially if you’re looking to get lean and toned up.
Don’t get me wrong, cardio does have a place in your exercise program since it does strengthen your cardiovascular system. And improves overall health.
But when it comes to losing weight, it’s not the only thing you should be doing.
The truth is that an optimal approach to losing weight includes both cardio AND strength training. Cardio does help you burn calories. However, the calorie burn stops shortly after the moment you stop walking or running.
A strength training program on the other hand may help a lot more. Strength training leads to more lean muscle mass, which can stimulate your metabolism. It also will help you shape your body, which is an important aspect of a weight loss journey.
A well-rounded exercise program, one that includes both cardio and strength training, is the best form of exercise to boost your weight loss.
Although cardio alone is a great way to burn excess calories, it may not be the optimal form of exercise if you’re looking to lose weight and get in shape.
Keep this in mind the next time you’re at the gym and you’re planning out your workout.
Your coach
Michał
B3&FIT