Both...definitely the answer is both. Strength training raises your lean muscle mass and so you burn more calories all of the time -- even when you're sleeping, but you also need the cardio for both health and for the calories burned in the moment --and of course, cardio does build some muscle so you'll get some increase of metabolism from cardio, but nowhere near the same amount. Also, strength training will improve the way you look as you get closer to, and reach, your goal. It will help give you that nice, long, lean look...sculpted.
It is important, however, not to do any hard strength training two days in a row. Your muscles need time to recoop and heal (Most of what I've read says 24 hours is good)...so three days a week is really plenty (I just do it every other day). Most cardio you can do every day without a break...but I generally take one day a week off from the cardio too...so my body has a chance to, well, restore.
Last edited by Schumeany; 11-06-2008 at 12:25 AM.
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