Reasons to Prioritize Strength Training Over Cardio for Weight Loss
Before i begin this blog post let me make it clear that you can’t lose weight if you’re not in a calorie deficit BUT there are different styles of training that can help make your calorie deficit more attainable and sustainable. Today I want to discuss the benefits of prioritizing strength training instead of cardio for fat loss.
Strength training for weight loss is a highly effective and efficient method for shedding unwanted pounds. While cardio is often considered the go-to exercise for weight loss, strength training can actually be even more effective for achieving this goal.
One of the key benefits of strength training is that it helps to build muscle mass. Muscle tissue is more metabolically active than fat tissue, meaning that it burns more calories at rest. This means that even when you're not working out, your body is still burning calories thanks to the muscle you've built through strength training. This increase in metabolism is called your basal metabolic rate. Your basal metabolic rate is how many calories your body burns just to keep you alive and this is correlated with how much skeletal muscle mass a person has (the more skeletal muscle the higher the BMR and vice versa). From my years of experience working with clients I have noticed that the clients that were able to increase their BMR training with me (increasing their skeletal muscle mass) the quicker they lost body fat mass and were also able to sustain it longer than my cardio focused clients.
Another benefit of strength training is when you perform strength exercises, your body needs to repair and rebuild muscle tissue, which requires energy. This means that your body is burning calories even after your workout is over.
In addition to these metabolic benefits, strength training also helps to improve body composition. As you lose weight, you'll likely also lose muscle mass if you're not doing any strength training. By incorporating strength exercises into your weight loss routine, you'll be able to maintain or even build muscle mass, which will help you to look leaner and more toned as you lose weight.
Finally, strength training is also great for improving overall health and fitness. It can help to improve bone density, reduce the risk of injury, and boost overall strength and endurance.
Overall, if you're looking to lose weight, strength training is an effective and efficient method that can help you to achieve your goals. It can help you to build muscle, boost your metabolism, improve body composition, and promote overall health and fitness. So if you're ready to take your weight loss journey to the next level, consider incorporating strength training into your exercise routine.
