There’s a huge misconception that you shouldn’t lift weights when going through a weight loss phase. Not only is it believed that it could stunt your results, but it’s actually thought to truly be counterproductive.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Let’s get informed:

On the contrary, strength training/weight lifting can be greatly beneficial for fat loss. Why? Because it builds lean muscle, increases BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate), and increases the speed of your metabolism.

It can be agreed that cardiovascular exercise is probably a better candidate for general caloric expenditure during the workout, the keyword here is ‘during’. Strength training is universally more effective at burning total calories and fat overall.

Let me explain… By increasing muscle mass, you increase BMR. In its simplest terms, a higher BMR equates to more calories being burned throughout a 24-48 hour period.

Why is this beneficial for weight loss?

Through building lean muscle and increasing BMR, you inevitably burn more calories at rest throughout the day, AND increase your overall caloric deficit - a necessity for weight loss. This is what is known as EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption).

Still not fully understanding?

During an aerobic, cardiovascular workout, it’s widely accepted that more calories are burned during a workout than a typical strength training workout of the same duration. The distinction? While you may certainly be losing weight, you’re also losing a proportionate amount of muscle at the same time. Additionally, it can also slow down your metabolism rather than speed it up. A detriment if you’re trying to lose weight.

Here’s the answer: Increase intensity and begin to implement a consistent strength training regimen consisting of weight-bearing exercises in conjunction with aerobic activity. This is the optimal weight loss plan. Oh, and don’t forget to hone in on your diet, as well!