Many of us want to lose fat. Does lifting weights help with that? Absolutely!
Lifting weights is a great way to burn fat, but here is something else to consider:
Many people to lose fat so they look toned and their muscles are visible. That look usually requires fat loss as well a little muscle building. You build muscle through weight training. So if you want to look a certain way, lifting weights is going to be a great tool for you.
Dont get me wrong though. 30 minutes of cardio training, whether it be running, rowing, riding a bike etc- will burn more calories than 30 minutes of weight training. Conditioning activites are definitely a part of losing body fat which is why we incorporate them into our workouts.
Here are two things to remember about weight training:
1. Weight Training Builds Muscle
Muscle can be difficult to maintain. Let me explain. A muscular 175 pound person will burn more calories at rest than a 175 pound person with little muscle. Fat doesn’t burn alot of energy, but muscle does. So adding muscle to your frame will actually increase your “resting metabolism.” Simply put, adding muscle means you will burn more calories without doing anything-which is a big deal with comes to losing fat!
2. You Burn Calories After Weight Training-Not Just During
This is especially true if you workout with intensity.
When you train your body you burn calories as you move. But it will continue to burn calories after you stop because your body is working to recover and refuel from the stress of your workout. This is crucial for fat loss.
A good fat loss plan should include some form of weight training. It is a key activity if you want to increase muscle tone while losing body fat percentage.