Get Pumped

The secret to fat-burning success

Trying to burn fat and tone up? Cardiovascular exercise is often thought to be the fat-burning king, but strength training actually beats cardio in its ability to tone problem areas, burn fat and build muscle. Cardio still wins in the heart health category, so make sure you do both types of exercise. But if you only have time for one, pick up the weights. Here's why:

BUILD MUSCLE. Although the repetitive and highimpact movements of cardio can wear away at your joints and muscles, strength training specifically builds up your muscles, with little impact on your joints.

INCREASE BONE DENSITY. Building muscle increases the load on your bones, and your body responds by producing a new layer of bone tissue for reinforcement. As you continue your strength training, your bones will continue to get stronger.

BURN CALORIES ON THE COUCH.

According to bornfitness.com, 1 pound of muscle burns 37.5 calories per day at rest while 1 pound of fat burns—wait for it—two calories. Lift weights regularly and you’ll burn more calories at rest. Netflix, anyone? You’ll still be torching those calories.

MAINTAIN MOBILITY. You’ll strengthen not only your muscles and bones but the tendons that connect your muscles to your bones. All these parts work together to help you move, and the stronger they are, the more mobile you’ll be over the long haul.

GET FASTER, LASTING RESULTS . If you’re a cardio junkie, you know that it takes a long time to see results, and that’s because cardio doesn’t build muscle like strength training does. Because strength training burns calories more efficiently, you’ll not only see improvement faster, but it’ll be more permanent, too.

INCLUDE CARDIO. Yes, you can strength train and do cardio at the same time. Lift moderate to heavy weights with short rest periods in between. The heavier weight and faster pace will get your heart pumping and give you those hearthealthy benefits.

RESHAPE YOUR BODY. Cardio can help you lose weight, but it will burn muscle along with fat to get you there. With strength training and the help of a healthy diet, you can reshape your body by building up your muscles and burning