Whats best for building muscle

Slimbo

Hi All,

Some advice needed please.

I am about 2 stone overweight(although I willl feel more comfortable if I only lose 1-stone as I am stocky in build) ,I am currently in the gym working it off.

Is it better to lose the weight first before you start lifting weights, or can you do cardio and weights with the same result?Will one take longer than the other?

I am trying to build some muscle in the legs, tone myself all over, and lose the weight.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

slimbo:)

Dr4gul4

Ehhh quick reply is 3 days cardio, and 2 days weights imo, especially if you are tryin to loose body fat. You're going to have to push ure self during the cardio, maybe try interval training , HIIT.

BossArky

Slimbo, I'd advise weights and cardio at the same time.

From my experience I started off a year ago at 75kg (non flabby, just average off the street person), put on a bit of muscle to 76kg then burnt off the fat down to 70kg ish. Now I'm back up to around 74kg with bodyfat around 8%. The rest of the weight is muscle.

I guess the reason my weight plummeted from 76kg to 70kg so quickly was 'cos I was working hard but not eating enough to offset the calories I was burning. Now I have to conciously force myself to eat more just to maintain my current weight. Its kinda ideal really.

I'm basing this assumption on the fact that I'm alot faster, stronger, slimmer waist and have more endurance than a year ago.

2 stone isn't that much to loose if you put your mind to it. Start off with compound exercises (squat, deadlift, bench press, pull ups, rows, etc ... not all on the same day) and finish off each session with a 15 to 20 mins on the bike or threadmill. Without getting into nitty gritty detail, if you follow the above for a few months you'll see the weight fall off.

Buzz Buzz

Hey, I started a year ago this month on a major transformation.. I'm 6'1, was 90kg back in Feb 07.. focused all five days on weights, couple of days of cardio if I had the time.. today I'm still 90kg but I've lost 3.5inches off my waist and put 4inches on my chest.. I look sensational. Cant say what % bodyfat I'm at, but I'm very well toned and defined. So it really depends on how much muscle your trying to build, but in my opinion weights will not only help you burn the fat but also tone and define you.

Slimbo

Thanks for the replies, and may I say well done to you guys. You are obviously ontop of it,and after only a year would be great.
I have taken the advice on board and instead of doing 5 days just running on the treadmilland doing a bit(small bit), of stocmach. I will now alternate.
I was just hoping to avoid that top-heavy look,it does'ny suit me.

Thats why I want to build my legs and gradually tone the top half.

But if I read those replies correctly, I can mix it up with cardio and weights each day. This way the weight goes off and the muscle starts building.
i was afriad that i would be adding tomy already broad shape up top.

I hope I can come back and tell you it worked a treat after a year,that would be ideal.

Thanks again.

rubadub

Slimbo wrote: »

I was just hoping to avoid that top-heavy look,it does'ny suit me.

Thats why I want to build my legs and gradually tone the top half.

But if I read those replies correctly, I can mix it up with cardio and weights each day. This way the weight goes off and the muscle starts building.
i was afriad that i would be adding tomy already broad shape up top.

Sounds like you might be thinking cardio is for fat loss, and weights for muscle?

If you were only to do 3 1 hour workouts per week time would be best spent on weights if fat loss is your goal. Lifting boosts your metabolism and you use calories building muscle on your off days.

Train for max muscle growth all over. You wont get too big. It would take several years of full on training before you got "top heavy", especially as you will probably be on a calorie deficit.