While spending hours on a treadmill or elliptical can torch a bunch of calories while you're doing them, Joel says they don't really create a sustained, post-workout burn. "If you want to lose fat (and weight), then you need to train with weights!" Joel told POPSUGAR. Since the recovery process from weightlifting is usually longer and more intensive, he explained, it in turn requires more energy and calorie burning than steady-state cardio does. He added that "muscle is more metabolically active than fat, so the more you gain from lifting weights, the more calories you'll burn all day long."
So how do you get started? "Find a trainer or streaming workout program that motivates you, and start light," Joel suggested. If you're a weightlifting newbie, be sure to learn proper form before you start lifting heavy. "The better your form is, the more effective your training will be, the faster you'll reach your goals, and the fewer injuries you'll have along the way."
Easing into your training will also minimise the soreness that often comes with starting a new program, which can make you want to quit. "But don't let soreness deter you! Stretch, rest, hydrate, eat healthfully, and you'll recover quickly and optimise your results," Joel said.
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