Running or gym

[stripes416]

So I need to lose about 3 stone and I'm not sure whether it would be best to start the gym or start running. I've thought about doing couch to 5k but wasn't sure if it would take longer to lose weight. I'm really unfit at the moment so not only am I looking to lose the weight I also really need to build up my fitness. I know it will probably come down to personal preference but wondered what other people's thoughts are on the pros and cons really

Can you not do a mix of both?
Losing weight is more about diet than exercise

Both...
Also depends on your age.. If you are menopausal it's important to strength train.

But honestly if you want the exercise to help the weight loss... Just do something that you will consistently stick too.
And you really need to exercise at least five times a week.
I run and do weights and do hiit... All free classes etc on you tube.
That way I don't pay for the gym or persuade myself I don't have time as a lot of hiit stuff is only 20mins.

I’ve tried both in the past. Always started enthusiastically but stopped either due to loss of momentum or injury. In the last 6 months I’ve found a local ladies’ gym that focuses on strength training. I had significant health issues last year so I had to start very gently. I’ve been doing strength training via Zoom and will be going to the gym when it opens. See if you can find the right gym for you. Couch 2 5k is great if you find you enjoy running - I get motivated when I have a race booked in! Find what you enjoy and go for it.

Mix of both is best, running alone can set off little niggles and small injuries if you’re not used to it so it’s best to cross train with swimming/gym etc. Building muscle through weight bearing exercise can help your metabolism and help you stay slim.

OP, I'm looking to lose a bit of weight and get fitter. I used to be very fit and still love a long hike, but it's not enough as I get into my 40's.

I'm about to complete the C25K this week, and I've loved it. Some runs have challenged me, but I think the programme is brilliant. I'm combining it with weight training and yoga (both online). I've cut out 90% of sugary stuff and eating mainly wholefoods, fish, seafood and beans etc, as I like that stuff.

I've lost about 10lbs (about 6 weeks) and it's been pretty easy so far. I'm not rushing myself, and I get the weekend off, but I never go crazy with snacking etc, as it just makes it harder for myself.

I can see my body changing slowly and that's SUCH an incentive. I put that down to the running mainly. I look and feel stronger, and I really love that.

Losing weight is largely to do with food intake. Start by working out your TDEE so you know how many calories you’ll burn per day (roughly) and then have a deficit of at least 500. This will let you lose 1lb/week

Both, for the variety really. I love running but need days off in the gym or i’m prone to injury. During lockdown I got a rebounder trampoline and do classes on You Tube, it’s been brilliant. When the gyms reopen i’ll do a lot on the cross trainer and bike. I’m not into group classes but so many gyms offer free classes so i’d look out for those. Best of luck with it

Sorry didn’t finish the post. Depending on your starting weight you could have a bigger deficit per day. Cardio will burn more calories than weight training but weight training boost metabolism as maintaining muscle is more costly than maintaining fat.

Whatever is fun and easy for you to stick to.

I hate running but I love a good HIIT class and I love lifting and body weight exercises.

I would say try to get some weight training in as well as cardio. It's very satisfying to master and changes the shape of your body in a good way. Running is excellent for burning calories and losing fat (as long as you don't eat the calories back) but weight training builds muscle which is really useful. I find I can lift children, furniture and shopping bags a lot more easily and safely than I used to and have been surprised at that benefit.

With any exercise your body adapts and you need to challenge yourself more as time goes on. There's likely to be enough challenge running further and faster for a while but at some point it could get very time consuming whereas upping weights is easy and takes the same time.

I like the commitment of going to the gym for a class but other people like
the freedom of just putting on their trainers.

Running would be a lot cheaper than my posh gym membership is. That is a bit of a downside.

Thanks for the replies everybody. I managed to lose quite a bit of weight years ago and felt a lot better about myself but then after having my youngest and not working for a year, I've put it all back on and more. I'm also just quite disappointed in myself that I don't do any exercise for the health side of things.
I've never enjoyed any form of exercise really so I think the hardest part will be getting into it. I think I'll try and do a mix of the both. does anybody recommend PT's? I've contacted somebody who I think would be great but with it only being once a week I wasn't sure how beneficial it would be.

I highly recommend a PT for motivation and showing you how to do exercises. You have to do some independent sessions outside the once a week with them for it to be effective but they would do a programme for you.

For weight loss, as others have said, 80% is about what you eat so that's the place to start.

Weight training is then good because you build the muscle after you finish working out; so your body is working after you've stopped. You don't burn so many calories in a session but you burn calories for a longer period.

Running - calorie burn is higher during exercise, but stops when you stop.

Also, variety is better for most of us because it keeps things more interesting so we're more likely to keep it up. Doing one thing every day over and over is boring, so we're more likely to quit (and also you get diminishing returns if you're not constantly pushing yourself to improve).

When looking for a PT, I'd expect a free trial session to see whether we get on (very important), talk through my goals & check that they can help me with those (tailor what they do to suit me). I see a PT once a week, he also does me a programme to work on throughout the week & gives me eating / nutrition help as well - once a week is enough for most people and I'd say has a massive impact.

I think I'll try and do a mix of the both. does anybody recommend PT's? I've contacted somebody who I think would be great but with it only being once a week I wasn't sure how beneficial it would be.

I'm evangelical about my PT - he should be available on the NHS.

A good PT will help you with appropriate nutrition (NOT diet) and also give you a mix of exercise and activities. Losing weight is mostly about what you eat. You can't out-train a bad diet.

Women need to strength train - get started now, and get comfortable with a bar bell (not little hand weights) as this will help you build muscle, and that will help with losing weight. And it's fun, lifting up heavy shit (I cannot wait for gyms to re-open).

And once a week is fine for a PT. Ask her to give you a programme you can do in other days - aim to exercise every day, but mix it up - I'd only lift heavy 2 days a week, then I do some cardio-focused work 2 or 3 days a week, and then some yoga or Pilates - and you need at least one rest day, probably more if you're starting out. So a good long walk 2 or 3 times a week, or Yoga with Adrienne or the like. (I also do a pro-level dance class most days (proper dance not silly "Barre" workouts or Zumba).

A good PT is worth his/her weight in gold and will set you "homework" if you want, so you are not just doing their workout once a week.

Strength training is very important so even if you run I would certainly look to do gym work some days per week.

Losing weight is mainly about food intake, as others have said, and exercise can be a double-edged sword if it makes you ravenously hungry afterwards. Running is probably more likely to do that than resistance training but you won't know until you try.