Is weight lifting good for weight loss?

General
1

Hi everyone,

I am wondering if weightlifting is effective for losing weight. Can anyone share their experience or knowledge on this?

2

For ME, lifting weights made me GAIN weight and LOSE fat - which was the goal. Had to stop looking at the scale

3

Weightlifting is absolutely a valuable tool for weight loss, and here’s why:

Building Muscle Burns Calories:

  • Muscle Mass Matters: Muscle tissue burns more calories at rest compared to fat tissue. Building more muscle increases your resting metabolic rate (RMR), which means you burn more calories even when you’re not active.
  • Increased Strength: Strength training enhances overall strength, allowing you to burn more calories during workouts and engage in more calorie-burning activities outside the gym.

Weightlifting and Weight Loss:

While weightlifting alone might not lead to significant weight loss on the scale, especially at the beginning, it can be a key part of a weight loss strategy when combined with a healthy diet:

  • Body Composition Changes: Weightlifting helps you lose fat and gain muscle, improving your body composition. This might not show as weight loss on the scale but can result in a decrease in dress size and a more toned physique.
  • Afterburn Effect: Strength training can lead to an afterburn effect, where your body continues to burn calories after your workout to repair and rebuild muscle tissue.

Experiences and Tips:

  • Many People See Success: Numerous individuals have found weightlifting to be an effective weight loss strategy, especially when combined with a healthy diet.
  • Combine with Cardio: For optimal results, incorporate cardio exercises like running, swimming, or cycling into your routine alongside weightlifting. This combination helps burn calories and improve overall fitness.
  • Focus on Consistency: Consistency is key to any exercise program. Aim for regular weightlifting sessions, 2-3 times a week, to see the best results.
4

True lifting makes you build muscle and burn fat you ultimately lose some weight though

5

If you’re also focused on your diet along with strength training, you can lose weight.

You can even lose weight on diet alone.

But you will generally not lose significant weight without a focus on diet and only doing strength training.