How to work out to lose weight faster

Most people believe that any kind of physical activity helps with weight loss. And they’re right. But sometimes progress feels slow and frustrating. That’s why researchers from Fujian Normal University and Capital University of Physical Education and Sports in China decided to find out which workout structure leads to faster fat loss.

In a 12-week study, 45 men with obesity aged 18 to 30 were divided into three groups. One group made no changes to their routine. The other two trained three times a week, doing the same exercises: 30 minutes of strength training and 30 minutes of cardio. The only difference was the order. One group started with weights then did cardio, the other started with cardio then moved to weights.

Both workout groups improved their cardiovascular health, gained muscle, and reduced fat. But the group that started with strength training saw significantly better results in fat loss. They also became more active overall, adding about 3,500 steps per day on average compared to 1,600 steps in the cardio-first group.

So if your goal is to slim down and feel more energized throughout the day, start your workout with weights before moving on to cardio. This small change in routine can lead to bigger, faster results.