Do You Need To Lift Weights When Trying To Lose Fat?

[JUICESEEKER]

I am not trying to gain mass or bulk right now. Right now i am trying to lose fat mass so i can look lean for the summer. I go to the gym to do mostly cardio for 45 mins. Is weight lifting neccessary if i am only trying to lose fat mass? I want to hold on to the little bit of muscle i have also.

 

[OXANDRIN]

lifting is better for losing bodyfat than cardio....although either one will work with proper diet..... cardio/lifting is best with good diet IMO

 

[JUICESEEKER]

lifting is better for losing bodyfat than cardio....although either one will work with proper diet..... cardio/lifting is best with good diet IMO

I understand that cardio/lifting combo is good, but i just want to focus on one thing to lose fat. I just want to come in the gym and spend no more than 45 mins and leave.

 

[satchboogie]

you MUST lift to at least maintain your muscle mass.
otherwise, in the absence of lifgting, the combination of low cals and cardio will inevitably burn muscle.

 

[Austrian]

are you saying you are not lifting at all right now? you are losing muscle mass then and you are accellerating the muscle loss with extensive cardio. lifting regularly is a lifelong endeavour; as soon as you stop you lose everything.

 

[JUICESEEKER]

are you saying you are not lifting at all right now? you are losing muscle mass then and you are accellerating the muscle loss with extensive cardio. lifting regularly is a lifelong endeavour; as soon as you stop you lose everything.

I am still lifting. But i primary motive right now is to tone up or lose fat. If i can cut back on lifting, i can save time at the gym.

 

[PCxPete]

you can diet down reasonably quickly, the quicker you go the more muscle mass you drop hence, weaker you'll get but the better you'll (hopefully) look. its a catch 22.

i prefere the long term, eat good, work hard approach.

but when youve got a deadline like summer, youve just gotta suck it in and make a choice.

 

[gimp]

yes lift intensely. do supersets, high reps. take only 30 seconds between sets etc... continue to do cardio. I will do 45 mins of cardio 5x per week and do weights in the evening. When I diet I make an effort to really get a good pump on all sets to bring out mu veins.

 

[OXANDRIN]

I understand that cardio/lifting combo is good, but i just want to focus on one thing to lose fat. I just want to come in the gym and spend no more than 45 mins and leave.

you'd burn more calories doing 45 mins of med-high intensity weight training than you would doing 45 mins of cardio. more cals = more fat

 

[serge]

I am not trying to gain mass or bulk right now. Right now i am trying to lose fat mass so i can look lean for the summer. I go to the gym to do mostly cardio for 45 mins. Is weight lifting neccessary if i am only trying to lose fat mass? I want to hold on to the little bit of muscle i have also.

what about circuit training instead of cardio??? i that would yeild superior results, you'll maintain muscle mass and keep your hear rate up thus acheaving the aerobic effect