8 Myths About Doing Cardio for Weight Loss — and What to Do Instead

Myth: Focus Only On Cardio for Weight Loss

First things first: does cardio burn fat and, thus, aid in weight loss? Yes — but it's not the only activity that can help you see results. Enter: strength training.

All cardio and no strength training isn't just boring, but it's also inefficient. "Strength training builds lean muscle mass, which both increases your metabolism and decreases fat," says Elizabeth Burwell, a NASM-certified personal trainer and co-owner of High Performance Gym. "So the more muscle you build, the more calories you burn on a day-to-day basis," she continues. (Here's all the science you need to know about reducing body fat and building muscle.)

Some strength training workouts can even double as cardio: A recent study by the American Council on Exercise found that kettlebell exercises can burn up to 20 calories a minute — the equivalent of running at a six-minute mile pace! Maximize weight-loss benefits by incorporating up to four non-consecutive days a week of resistance-based exercises such as kettlebells, TRX, and weight lifting. (Try this weekly strength-training workout plan for beginners.)

Myth: You Should Do Cardio First, Then Hit the Weights

Should you start with strength training or cardio when you go to the gym? Well, it might be more beneficial to choose a lane. "If you're hitting the treadmill for an intense cardio session and then plan to hit the weights afterward, you'll have little left in your tank to make your resistance training count," says Lindsay Vastola, a NSCA-certified personal trainer and founder of Body Project Fitness and Lifestyle. When it comes to doing a full, high-intensity cardio session and an entire resistance training workout, aim to do them on separate days so you can give each one your all, she suggests. (See also: Should You Do Cardio Before or After Lifting Weights?)

Myth: You Should Burn at Least 500 Calories During Cardio

Here's the thing: There's no one answer to how much cardio you should do to lose weight. Why? Because it's just not that simple (although wouldn't it be great if it was?!). There are a few different factors in addition to metabolism-boosting cardio that contribute to weight loss, such as maintaining a healthy diet and building muscles, among others. And just like how there's no one answer to how much cardio you should do to lose weight, there's also no one answer to how many calories you should burn during each workout.

Slogging away on the treadmill to hit some magic number is a waste of time and energy, especially since machines can only roughly estimate your metabolic rate, says Vastola. Ignore the red digits on the console and focus on intensity instead while doing cardio for weight loss goals. If you work harder in shorter bursts, you'll burn more calories even after your workout is over (aka the afterburn effect).

Use a heart-rate monitor (aim to stay between 75 and 85 percent of your max heart rate) or the rate of perceived exertion scale of one to 10 (strive for an eight or nine on high-intensity intervals) to determine if you're working hard enough.

Myth: Stay In the "Body Fat-Reducing Zone" If You're Trying to Lose Weight

ICYMI earlier and are still wondering, cardio burns fat but it isn't the only way to make 'er happen. You see, your body also burns fat as fuel during lower-intensity workouts (when you're in the "body fat-reducing zone" of about 65 percent of your max). However, that's not necessarily what you need to focus on for weight loss.

What counts the most is your overall calorie expenditure, not the fuel source. "The higher the intensity of your workout, the more total calories you will burn," says Marta Montenegro, C.S.C.S., a certified strength and conditioning coach and adjunct professor of exercise and sports sciences at Florida International University. That burn lasts up to 24 hours after your last rep or step, and studies show you'll lose fat faster, she adds.

But before you go switching all that cardio for weight loss to high-intensity, maximum-effort training, remember that this type of exercise isn't without its pitfalls, such as a greater risk of injury and overtraining fatigue. Try alternating between low- and high-intensity workouts to give your body proper time to recover and build consistency, suggests Montenegro. For example, do your high-intensity interval training on Mondays and Thursdays, low- to moderate-intensity on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and mix in some yoga or strength on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Myth: Cardio On an Empty Stomach Burns More Fat

You can't drive a car without gas, so why expect something different from your body? The trouble with the fasted cardio theory is that the large muscles that power you through that cardio routine rely heavily on a combination of carbs and fats for energy. When you run or bike on an empty stomach, your body will turn to the carb and fat fragments in your bloodstream and muscle stores, not to the fat in your fat cells to energize your workout, says Michele Olson, Ph.D., senior clinical professor of exercise physiology at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama. This strategy could completely backfire, as you may become hyperglycemic and low on hydration, which can cause you to cut back on the intensity or stop before you had planned, she adds.

Skip the pre-gym fast and show up ready to rock by fueling up about 90 minutes before your workout. Opt for something light and easy to digest, such as a small piece of fruit and half a cup of low-fat yogurt sprinkled with a couple of tablespoons of granola, suggests Olson. And be sure to wash it down with one or two full glasses of water. (If you're a fan of sunrise sweat sessions, here's what to eat before and after your a.m. cardio for weight loss.)

Myth: Training for a Race Is a Great Way to Lose Weight

There a ton of benefits to running a 5K or marathon — improved cardiovascular fitness, more stamina, working out for a good cause if you run for charity — but weight loss isn't necessarily one of them. All the training you do to cross the finish line makes your body efficient at conserving energy so you can go the distance. And as you increase endurance, you'll gradually start burning fewer calories during your runs, says Jon-Erik Kawamoto, a certified personal trainer, strength coach, and former competitive runner. Great for your race, but the exact opposite of what you need to lose fat. Couple that with the common increase in appetite — and subsequent increased calorie intake — and some runners may in fact gain weight.

To meet your race goals and lose weight in the process, supplement your running program with resistance training up to three times a week, focusing on equally working opposing muscle groups (such as your back and chest) and improving joint mobility and function to build strength, says Kawamoto. Also, try switching out one day of running for a cross-training cardio workout to help prevent injury and offer a new challenge to your cardiovascular system, he suggests. And make sure your eating plan provides the nutrients your body needs.

Myth: Always Split Up Strength and Cardio for Weight Loss

Now to totally confuse you, but...while it's often beneficial to split up your sessions if both are at a killer intensity, there are times when fusing strength and cardio can be both efficient and effective. In one study, people who cycled for 20 minutes in the middle of a resistance workout saw a greater metabolic impact post-exercise than those who hopped on the bikes before or after lifting weights. "This means your calorie-burning metabolism will stay on fire after the exercise session has ended," says Montenegro.

So next time you can't decide between strength or cardio for weight loss, why not perform both? An easy way to do it is to use the treadmill as active rest between strength sets.

Myth: If You Do Enough Cardio, You Can Eat Whatever You Want

Not only do most people (and the machines they work out on) overestimate how many calories they burn during their workouts, but they also underestimate how many calories they're eating, too.

Exercise alone just isn't effective enough to burn fat, says Bret Contreras, C.S.C.S., a certified strength and conditioning specialist. "A recent study suggests that the average obese person loses approximately 5 pounds of fat over the course of eight months through cardio or resistance training alone," he says. And depending on individual goals, this might sound like a lot of work for the end result. So don't forget the "calories in" side of the equation and follow a healthy diet that delivers the calories you need to eat to power through cardio for weight loss and effectively lose weight. (Up next: Try These Cardio Workouts at the Gym When You're Sick of Your Usual Routine)