Cardio or Weight Training?

The question often comes up, "Which burns more fat: cardio or weight training?" 

The answer isn't as simple as the question would seem in technical terms, but when cutting it to the core, the truth is both burn fat.  Cardio burns calories during the workout, and if done at high intensity that burn can continue for quite a while.   Strength training on the other hand burns calories and fat during the workout, but breaks down the muscles more and thus creates more of a need for repair, and thus growth.  That repair burns calories as well, so the long term effect to your metabolism with strength training is excellent.   Muscle builds over time with strength training, and larger muscle mass burns more calories inherently as well.

If you really want the best results in your fitness, you'll do both.   I am a big believer in splitting the days:  Cardio one day,  strength training the next.   Some people like to do both on the same day, but I split them up because when I do cardio to shred fat, I do High Intensity Interval Training.   When I do a strength training routine, I want to leave everything I have on the gym floor, so there is no room for a cardio workout.

The type of training you do has to reflect your goals, which is another consideration.   If your goal is to get big, then doing a lot of cardio is counter-productive.   If getting really lean is your goal, for speed in say running, cycling, or even martial arts, then doing all weights and little cardio to get big is counter-productive.

So assess your goals, figure out what you want to achieve, and train to get it.  If it's a lean yet muscluar body, with good strength and cardiovascular health, do both cardio and hit the weights.  Cross-training will get you a long way.

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