What is the purpose of resistance training when trying to lose weight?

The purpose of resistance training when trying to lose weight primarily revolves around its ability to work all major muscle groups. When you engage in resistance training, you stimulate muscle tissue, which in turn can elevate your metabolic rate. This increase in metabolism means that your body continues to burn calories even after the workout has ended, which is beneficial for weight loss.

Incorporating exercises that focus on multiple major muscle groups—like squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and rows—can lead to more significant muscle engagement and greater overall calorie expenditure. Building muscle through resistance training not only enhances body composition by reducing fat and increasing lean mass, but it can also improve strength and functionality in daily activities.

While burning calories is important for weight loss, it’s not solely about high-calorie expenditure during the workout itself, hence why focusing only on burning high calories doesn’t capture the broader benefits of resistance training. Similarly, improving flexibility and cardiovascular endurance are valuable goals, but they don’t directly address the role of resistance training in enhancing muscle mass and metabolic function for effective weight loss.