It's been a hotly debated topic for longer than some of us have been alive: is a cardio or strength-training workout better for weight loss?
Let's look at exactly what happens in your body when you do a cardio workout vs. a strength-training workout, all the way down to the smallest level: cells! We'll explain how it all affects weight loss. Nicole Aurigemma, M.S. physiology at Women's Health and Exercise Lab at Penn State, gave us a little science lesson to explain which workout is better.
This is what goes down in your cells when you're sweating it out at a cycling class or on a half marathon. Prepare for a refresher in "seventh grade biology," as Nicole put it.
Nicole made a note that "many women shy away from weightlifting because they do not want to look masculine" and said that "this is pretty misguided; unless you are lifting seriously heavy weights on a regular basis (and also have abnormally high testosterone levels), you will not bulk up like a dude." Wise words from a hip scientist.
Here's what happens when you lift.
That's the exciting part: they're both great for weight loss. Nicole told us that "it depends on your final goal." Trying to burn fat and lean out? "If you don't care about muscle definition, cardio is the way to go." But "if your main goal is to look and feel stronger, resistance exercise is key, and the weight will come off if you stick to a plan."
She said it's important to keep in mind that because you'll be gaining muscle mass through resistance and weight training, you might initially maintain or even gain a few pounds. Give it time. She told us, "if you are resistance training three times a week and allowing your body appropriate rest days, you'll start seeing awesome changes within your physique."
How does she know? From personal experience. Not only is Nicole a physiologist, but she's also an athlete. "I was pretty fit in college; I ran on the cross country and track team. But after college I gained about 20 pounds, because I wasn't running at the same intensity. This past Winter I started lifting regularly three times a week and I'm almost back to my college weight, but my body looks better." You go, girl.