What burns more calories one hour of cardio or one hour of weight lifting

When it comes to burning calories, two popular forms of exercise often come to mind: cardio and weight lifting. Both activities offer significant fitness benefits, but which one burns more calories?

Cardio: Cardio, or cardiovascular exercise, involves activities that elevate your heart rate for a sustained period. Examples include running, cycling, and swimming. Cardio is known to burn a high number of calories during the workout due to its intensity and duration.

Weight Lifting: Weight lifting, also known as resistance training, focuses on building strength and muscle mass. It involves the use of weights or resistance to challenge the muscles. Unlike cardio, weight lifting burns fewer calories during the workout itself. However, its long-term effects contribute to calorie burn.

Which Burns More Calories?

In terms of calories burned during the workout, cardio typically wins. An hour of moderate-intensity cardio, such as running at a 6 mph pace, can burn approximately 400-500 calories. On the other hand, an hour of weight lifting may burn only 200-300 calories.

However, it's important to note that weight lifting's calorie-burning effects continue after the workout. Studies show that weight training can increase your resting metabolic rate, leading to increased calorie expenditure throughout the day. Over the long term, weight lifting can contribute to a higher daily calorie burn compared to cardio alone.

Conclusion

Both cardio and weight lifting offer substantial calorie-burning benefits. Cardio is a more efficient way to burn calories during the workout, while weight lifting helps maintain and increase calorie burn over time. For optimal results, incorporate both types of exercise into your fitness regimen.

What is the best cardio exercise for burning calories?
- Running, cycling, and swimming are excellent options.
What are the benefits of weight lifting?
- Builds strength, muscle mass, and improves overall fitness.
Is cardio better than weight lifting for weight loss?
- Both cardio and weight lifting contribute to weight loss, but weight lifting can be more effective in the long term.
How many calories does an hour of moderate-intensity cardio burn?
- Approximately 400-500 calories.
How many calories does an hour of weight lifting burn?
- Approximately 200-300 calories during the workout, but more throughout the day due to increased metabolic rate.