Exercise plays a crucial role in enhancing health and facilitating weight loss.

However, while many prioritise cardio activities such as running, swimming, and cycling for their weight loss benefits, another form of exercise often gets overlooked. Cardio is popular due to its ability to burn calories efficiently with moderate effort.

Despite this, most cardio exercises primarily stimulate the heart rate and do little to increase muscle mass and strength. Over time, this could result in achieving your desired scale weight but still being dissatisfied with your body composition.

Incorporate regular weight training into your fitness routine alongside cardio. Not only does it help build muscle mass and strength, but weight training can also enhance weight loss when combined with cardio.

How does weight training aid weight loss?

One of the main advantages of weight training is that it induces a state of post-exercise oxygen consumption in your body. This means your metabolism operates at an elevated rate after your workout, leading to increased calorie burn for a short period.

Research suggests that weight training can help prevent a surge in your body's cortisol levels, compared to excessive cardio. This hormone responds to physical stress and directly influences your metabolism regulation.

Should I swap cardio for weightlifting?

Both weightlifting and cardio are excellent forms of exercise not only for weight loss but also for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's in later life. Hence, it's crucial to incorporate both types of exercise into your regular workout regimen to maintain a robust and healthy physique.

Official health guidelines recommend that the average individual should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week, coupled with two days of strength resistance training to keep muscles active and healthy. Physical activity in this context can encompass any movement that gets your heart rate up, including a brisk walk.

Before embarking on any new fitness programme aimed at weight loss, it's advisable to consult a healthcare professional who can provide tailored advice based on your body's needs, particularly if you have any chronic health conditions that could be aggravated by exercise.