I cringe every time I go to the gym and see mostly women on the cardio equipment and mostly men on the benches. Ladies, if you want to lose weight, hit the weights! If you want to get fit and healthy... hit the weights!! A balance between cardio and weight training is what you want. I'm not knocking cardio, not by a long shot (some of us guys need to get on that bandwagon), but having it be your only exercise isn't as healthy as a balance between the two. Trust me, you won't turn into Arnold and those sexy butts you see on tv... squats squats squats. That "mystical metabolism" that people keep talking about... that's nothing but how much energy your body burns when you're not doing anything. The more muscle you have, the higher your metabolism. That's why some of us guys can cram our faces with crappy food all day and not gain an ounce.

So please ladies, hit the weights. Forget how much you weigh. Set a goal of being able to do ten pushups and five pullups or something. I promise you you'll be healthier and the weight-loss will be a side effect as it should be and not the end goal.

I hope this doesn't come across as an insult, I just got back from the gym and that was the situation.

hehehe I'm STILL the ORIGINAL "KiK"


Welcome

Yrue! I have been hittin the weights, cardio, hiking & boxing!!!

Need to join the gym myself ...

I couldn't disagree more with that post!
Cardio burns off massively more calories than weight-training, and burning calories is the whole point of exercising to lose fat. Weight-training is just for building muscle. It doesn't take any fat off you, unless you do a hell of a lot of it - and then you end up very over-muscled.
For example, if a 140lb woman goes for an 8-mile run, she burns off about 850 calories. A press-up burns about 1 calorie. Can you imagine how muscular you would be if you did 850 press-ups on a regular basis?
Don't listen to him ladies! If you concentrate on weights you'll either not lose any fat, or end-up looking like a body-builder!

Perhaps you've misunderstood. If "the whole point of exercising to lose fat"... then you're **mostly** right. Cardio is the best way to burn calories. However, your metabolism will still be low compared to someone who does weight training. Therefore balance the two because your metabolism will keep working even if you're not. Also, if all you're looking for is calories burned... how about not eating them in the first place? Much cheaper and easier means of attaining similar results. Like most things in life, balance and moderation.

I have recently found that out myself that cardio is not enough to lose weight. I started lifing weights, obviously not heavy ones, for a female, a set of 5 pound ones work fine. I also do videos that have strength training circuts, wich work amazing. No need for time wasting treadmill. Muscle burns more calories, and makes you toned and slim,making you look awesome. Also, eating more protein and less carbs works well with excercising. No fast food. No white bread. Only whole wheat bread/ pasta/ rice a few times a week. A ton of veggies and fruit. And turkey or chicken. :)(Basically watch what you eat, but don't deprive too much)

everyone's body is different and not everyone gets the same results. A mix between cardio and strength training, along with a healthy diet should work.

I totally agree. It's all about the balance of exercises and the right diet.