[katie333]

So I have been working out for awhile, but have gotten really intense in the last 3 or 4 weeks. I know you should probably balance resistance and weight training with cardio to lose weight and build muscle. I don't really like weight training. Would it be just as effective to do cardio at a higher resistance (I sometimes put the elliptical on almost the highest level and do front and backwards strides, and bend my legs so its almost like squatting), and for my arms possibly use the rowing machine? Any insight would be great.

Thanks!

[Ilene]

Weight training and cardio are like comparing apples and oranges. They both work different parts of the body, although when you're doing cardio you are working your legs muscles and if you're using your arms at the same time you are using some muscles there, but cardio uses the heart muscle mostly.

There are several benefits to weight training while losing weight:

- Muscles are metabolicaly active, the more muscle you have the more fat you will burn when not active.
- Weight training can reverse the natural decline in your metabolism which begins around age 30.
- Weight training strengthens your bones reducing your risk of developing osteoperosis
- Weight training improves your muscular endurance.

Got this info here «Top 18 benefits of weight training»

Even if you fit in only 3 short 20 min sessions of good intense weight training per week, that is really all it takes...