How efficient is weight-lifting in comparison to a high-intensity cardio?

I’ve dropped 10 to 15 pounds in a week with high intensity swimming. I’m talking 75 to 100 meter sprints over and over.

The two are like apples and oranges. They are not comparable in the manner in which you desire.

As for the weight loss, the cardio will lose more weight, especially since the weight lifting should actually add a little weight {muscle weighs more than fat}, although this extra weight will be more physically appealing.

You might even try walking. Just a couple of miles a day and the proper diet will burn excess fat off like you wouldn’t believe.

^^^ Swimming is also excellent for weight loss and muscle toning, @Adirondackwannabe said.

The hormones released within weight training will shred fat off your body more quickly than cardio alone. It’s important not to think of the two separate if you could do both they work excellent hand in hand. Swimming as @Adirondackwannabe is great because it’s combining the best of both cardio and lifting i.e. You are working all major muscles in swimming and the heart his racing at the same time.

The thing with weight lifting is, we see ordinary people (non athletic) weight lifting like crazy, and that’s cool if you want those ripped body results, I see it unnecessary unless your job requires those muscles being used, essentially its over kill, now someone who plays sports benefits from it, but watch a muscle head run cardio at the park and see how unnatural it looks when they run. I don’t mean weight lifting is negative to the health because it looks unnatural, just saying as it pertains to actual health benefits and not just the aesthetic of the human figure people over do it.

I spent 8 years relying on low-calorie, all-cardio diets to lose weight. I’d lose weight, sure, but I was never happy with my body. I was miserable, hated exercising, would use any excuse to cheat, and always put the weight right back on.

I started lifting heavy about a month ago and I’m absolutely amazed at the results so far. I’m now officially an advocate for women lifting heavy. I’m able to eat plenty of good food, and do only two days of cardio with three lifting days. I’m losing weight and inches steadily, I feel great, and my body is improving beyond my expectations. I’ve never liked how my body looked until now, and it’s all uphill from here. I love working out, I’m never hungry, and I’ve always hit energy. I’ll never go back to all-cardio.

I don’t want to be skinny. I don’t give a single shit about a thigh gap or bikini bridge. I want to be strong, fit, and healthy. And I’m well on my way. :)

Many years ago I was in the best shape of my life with my membership at two health clubs. I had amazing energy, lost several dress sizes and wish I had never stopped lifting weights. At the time, I tried a cardio class and almost fainted. I left the room and my heart was pounding so hard it scared me.

Either one done with true intensity would allow for weight loss but IMO It would be shortsighted to choose one over the other. Doing both will bring forth much more balanced and healthier results.

Weight loss is best tackled in the kitchen. I have lost 50 lbs and since Sept I have maintained my current weight. I lost weight following a calorie counting plan which took into consideration the exercise I did – ie if I exercised, I had more calories to eat. I did both heavy weightlifting and cardio. I would say the cardio gives you the health benefits (and the extra calories!) and the weights help to change your body shape.

Cardio is better for weight loss alone. Technically, weightlifting is a sport that involves lifting a barbell from the floor to an overhead position in the Snatch and the Clean & Jerk. Bodybuilding is concerned with building muscle mass, while weightlifting and powerlifting are concerned with building strength. Bodybuilding reduces fat on the body and builds bigger muscles. Diet, exercise, sleep and rest work together for any fitness goal.