#mbf FAQ: Does Lifting Weights Burn Fat?

Do you find yourself wondering, “does lifting weights burn fat?” or “am I going to bulk up too much from weight training — should I just stick to cardio?”

If you do, we have another question to ask you: Have you tried our #mbf Muscle Burns Fat program from Super Trainer Megan Davies yet?

If you’re looking to burn fat, build muscle, and get into the best shape of your life, you might want to consider giving #mbf a shot.

It’s actually two three-week programs done back to back (#mbf Muscle Burns Fat and #mbfa Muscle Burns Fat Advanced) that incorporate strength training and cardio for a full-body workout that’ll leave you a lean and toned for your strongest body ever!

New to strength training? Don’t worry, we’ve got all your burning (see what we did there?) questions answered!

1. Can you lose weight by lifting weights?

Yes! “Lifting weights burns calories, which leads to less fat mass and more lean muscle mass,” says Elanit Friedman, Senior Director of Fitness at Beachbody. “Incorporate a healthy nutrition plan while exercising and you’ll see not only weight loss, but muscle sculpting, as well.”

2. What type of weight lifting is best for fat loss?

Friedman explains there are several different ways to lose fat with weight lifting. “One way is to go heavier,” she says. “Sticking to the same weight and not challenging your body can result in stagnant” outcomes.

By adding intensity to your lifting, you not only burn fat, but you’ll also feel even stronger and more confident!

3. Which burns more fat: lifting weights or cardio?

You need both! “A healthy, balanced program includes both weight training and cardio if you’re looking to burn fat,” Friedman explains. “Both methodologies have their benefits, which is why #mbf/#mbfa is so great for burning fat! You’ll alternate your days from weight lifting and cardio for an efficient, full-body transformation.”

4. Can you burn fat with cardio alone?

Yes, you can absolutely burn fat with just cardio. Cardio is great for weight loss, as well as building cardiovascular endurance. The more cardio you do, the better you get at it, and the more calories you’ll burn, says Friedman.

But #mbf will help you build muscle, which can help you maintain your weight loss goals even more (and help you get a stronger bod, which is definitely a bonus).

5. How do asymmetrical moves help you get stronger?

Asymmetrical training (a.k.a., working one side of the body at a time) is a great way to “correct imbalances in the body,” explains Friedman.

Plus, “this style of training really helps promote core stabilization and strength,” she adds.

“In life, we tend to do asymmetrical training on a day-to-day basis, such as carrying groceries or hammering a nail into the wall with our dominant side,” explains Friedman. “So, it’s important to help strengthen our weaker side to live in a more balanced body. You’ll see a lot of asymmetrical training in #mbf/#mbfa.”

6. What’s the best type of cardio for burning fat?

There are lots of cardio types to choose from if you want to burn fat, so find the one that works for you and that you actually enjoy. Friedman’s personal favorite is HIIT.

Why does she love high-intensity interval training? Because “spiking your heart rate with intense exercise, using a specified time on and time off formula, puts you into an optimal fat burning zone to maximize fat burn,” she says.

“In #mbf/#mbfa, Megan does exactly this with the EMOM (Every Minute on the Minute),” explains Friedman. “You do one intense movement and you have 40 seconds to complete it. That leaves you with 20 seconds to rest and this is performed for 5 minutes straight. This is a true fat burner!”