Why Long Sustained Cardio is Less Effective at Fat Burning than Weight Resistance Training

Body Reset plans do not involve or recommend exercise in the first two weeks of the programme, this is because we are working to sustain homeostasis levels (the state of steady internal, physical, and chemical conditions) in the body, avoiding any sense of fatigue. This is so the body can focus on fat burning (just for the first two weeks). However, some clients really enjoy exercise and exercise in itself is what might makes them feel calm and happy; so if this is the case for you, then do exercise, but in the form of weight resistance training, keeping cardio to a minimum.

Now, you might be wondering why I am recommending keeping cardio to minimum, when cardio has previously been thought of as the ultimate fat loss exercise, well here is why…

The body uses both muscle and fat for long-distance fuel.

Over time, distance runners drop overall weight, both muscle and fat. Muscle depletion slows the metabolic rate, which ultimately slows down your fat loss! The reason we want to sustain muscle is because it has metabolism boosting effect in the body. In addition the body recognises repetitive patterns of constant cardio and resists adaption resulting in lengthy periods of time wasted at the gym/on a track with little results. 

You may also have also noticed that after a good cardio workout you have an increased appetite resulting in an intake of unnecessary extra calories.

On the other hand, weight resistance exercise supports fat burning processes in the body. When you tear the myosin and actin filaments, this requires working the muscles to overload, your muscles then repair and build overnight whilst at rest.  This in itself is a highly calorific process resulting in fat burning 24/7. 

Both cardio and weight resistance do burn fat but a quicker, more effective and efficient system is weight resistance training coupled with a shortened cardio phase at the end of your weights workout. 

Cardio has many benefits such as increasing heart and lung strength and capacity but when it comes to fat burning and metabolism boosting, weight training is the hero. 

The message I am trying to put out is not to deter people’s love of cardio but encourage them to reduce long sustained workouts and replace with weight resistance training.

If you are wanting to train whilst on my Body Reset programme, then weight resistance over cardio will be more supportive especially in the first two weeks. 

Please note always warm up and cool down at the end of a workout.