Should I perform strength training exercises if I want to lose weight?

For most people, the best way to lose weight (and get in shape) is to combine cardiovascular exercise with strength training. Each form of exercise affects the muscles’ calorie-burning abilities in different ways. Aerobic workouts promote the production of the enzymes that boost oxygen consumption, and therefore, the burning of calories. Weight training helps maintain and build muscle; muscle tissue burns more calories than fat, which means the more muscle you have, the more calories your body will naturally burn. Now that sounds like a formula for success!

Yes, strength training can certainly help in your weight loss efforts. Strength training can help increase muscle mass and muscle is more metabolically active than fat (albeit not by very much). However, because it is more metabolically active, the more muscle you put on the more calories you may be able to expend throughout the day and thus can assist in weight loss. This can help you develop and/or maintain a caloric deficit without having to restrict yourself or more calories.

Absolutely. Strength training helps reduce body fat and increases lean muscle tissue, which in turn helps to increase metabolism. Lean muscle also takes up less “space”–giving your body a leaner, more for appearance.

Yes! Strength training will help you maintain the muscle mass that you already have underneath your body fat. It will not only burn calories but will also increase your basal metabolism which will lead to a reduction in excess body fat.