One of the most common questions asked by the average gym-goer is whether or not weight training is more helpful than cardio. Though cardio is considered a must in a workout session, it is often entirely excluded from a workout routine by most trainers and here’s why.
Weight training for burning calories
It is a common belief that cardio burns more calories than weight training. This can be considered true keeping some factors in consideration with duration of the workout being the most important one. The amount of calories burnt is fully dependent on the true duration of the workout, which simply means that as long as you are on the treadmill, you are burning calories. The process of burning calories stops as soon as you step off the treadmill. On the other hand, several studies have been carried out which have demonstrated that the process of burning calories is continued by your body for up to 48 hours post-workout in case of weight training. The basic reason behind this is that the amount of lean muscle mass built up by our body with the help of weight training acts as the power-house of calorie burning.
Weight training and the hormones
It has also been demonstrated that the effects of weight training and cardio on the hormone levels are different from one another. Gaining muscle mass is enhanced and encouraged by weight training which also tends to put the body in a state where anabolism takes place very easily. On the other hand, cardio heightens up the level of a hormone known as cortisol. Cortisol is responsible for the accumulation of fat in the abdominal region and also the loss of lean muscle mass. This difference in the hormone level is one of the biggest reasons why weight training will always be a better option to lose body fat when compared with cardio.
Weight training for giving a shape to your body
Another big benefit that weight training has over cardio is the fact that weight training will always allow you to reshape your body. While on the other hand, cardio training might help you to lose weight, but in all actuality, you are most likely to end up being a smaller version of what you actually were. Resistance training accompanied by a hypo-calorie diet will help you lose fat and enhance the shape which is naturally present in your body. Therefore, weight training will always give you a well proportioned and attractive physique while cardio training will only help you lose weight. People who have lost a considerable amount of weight only with cardio will still look soft since they have lost the fat but have not got their muscles overly toned at the same rate.
Weight training boosts confidence
The fact that weight training increases your strength further helps in keeping your confidence level high. The thought of being stronger than most other people surely helps us feel invincible and gives our confidence level a big boost.
