Story highlights Researchers took to the lab to measure weight-lifting vs. cardiovascular exerciseA combination was best, followed by cardio only and then weight-liftingFor decades, conventional wisdom (and Jane Fonda) said cardio was the best exercise for weight loss. So a few years ago, Duke University researchers took to the lab and conducted the largest study of its kind to compare the two and get an answer once and for all. After 8 months of tracking 119 overweight and previously sedentary volunteers while they performed resistance training, aerobic exercise, or a combination of the two, the clear winner was ... aerobic exercise . The cardio group lost about 4 pounds while their resistance training peers gained two. Yes, the weight gain was attributed to added lean mass.

Source: CNN March 06, 2017 09:00 UTC