Does Doing Cardio for Weight Loss Work? (It’s Complicated)

Um, wait a minute.

If 1) calorie deficit = weight loss and 2) cardio = calorie deficit, then it stands to reason that cardio = weight loss — so, what’s the complication here?

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Well. While statement #1 is a fact, like how:

  • The Earth is not flat (it’s not perfectly round, either, but more like a slightly squashed sphere called an ellipsoid; the more you know ...)
  • Australia is wider than the moon
  • An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain

… statement #2 doesn’t always hold up its end of the bargain. How do we know? By looking at:

The relationship between cardio and weight loss in research

Here are 3 different studies:

1️⃣
2021 meta-analysis published in Sports: When compared to control groups, both high- and moderate-intensity exercise led to scoff-worthy amounts of fat loss after 8 weeks, 0.20 kg and 0.25 kg, respectively. (A fun comparison exercise: your poop could weigh up to 0.47 kg 👀)
2️⃣
2021 RCT published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise: Found that well-controlled cardio interventions tend to yield only 20-50% of the weight loss we would mathematically predict.
3️⃣
2023 RCT published in Nutrients: The cardio interventions induced weight loss in 32.3% of individuals, while dramatic pause 55.6% maintained their weight, and 10.1% actually gained weight. Meaning? This study suggests that you’re more likely to maintain your weight on cardio than lose fat. 🤦

Given *waves hands in air* all that, when faced with the question, “What’s the relationship between cardio and weight loss?” it seems like our answer is the same as this dude's — tough question:

@jordan_the_stallion8

#stitch with @Meet Cutes NYC #fypシ

♬ original sound - Jordan_The_Stallion8

Doing cardio for weight loss doesn’t always work. Why?

Researchers have floated 3 theories:

  1. Compensatory reductions in energy expenditure: After cardio, you tend to move less throughout the day (e.g., take fewer steps or fidget less), decreasing your NEAT levels and, in turn, total daily energy expenditure.
  2. Compensatory increases in appetite: You feel hungrier after cardio, so you (often subconsciously) “eat back” your calories. Sometimes, you may even “overdo” it — explaining why 10.1% of individuals gained weight on cardio interventions in the 2023 RCT mentioned earlier.
  3. Waning motivation to exercise over time: Research shows that exercise dampens motivation for physical activity.

So, is there a point in doing cardio for weight loss?

We mean … the evidence is pretty damning: cardio just isn’t very effective for weight loss.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

And in case you’re wondering whether doing cardio fasted changes things …

Can Fasted Cardio Give You Better Fat Loss Results?
Fasted cardio forces your body to tap into your fat reserves for energy — which means it’ll help you lose fat faster, right? Hmm. Answers here.

But before you swear off cardio, know this.

All 3 mechanisms preventing weight loss (or considerable weight loss) on cardio appear subject to considerable inter-individual variation.

This means you may not feel the need to:

  • Laze around on the sofa or
  • Stuff your face or
  • Skip out on your gym sessions

… as much as the next person. So, to find out if you’re one of the lucky ones, you’ll have to track your response to cardio.

Ideally, you’d log your average steps, food intake (note: you don’t have to track your calories; you could simply write down what you ate, e.g., stir-fried chicken and rice, if you wish), and training frequency for 2 weeks.

Then, add cardio to the mix and see how those things change.

Slowly adjust your cardio levels until you find one that has minimal adverse impact on your energy expenditure, appetite, and motivation to work out.

(Please don’t be a smart *ahem* 🍑 and say that your sweet spot is zero cardio; you still need to do some cardio for health reasons.)

Don’t just do cardio for weight loss

Ultimately, cardio is just a tool in your fat loss toolbox. There are many others you could use.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

A 2023 systematic review published in Advances in Nutrition suggests that you’d see the best weight loss results by using a few tools together at the same time.

More specifically, here’s how the researchers ranked the fat loss protocols in order of most to least effective compared to no intervention:

📌
Energy restriction + high protein + exercise (MOST EFFECTIVE)
Energy restriction + resistance training
Energy restriction + mixed exercise
Energy restriction + aerobic training
Energy restriction + high protein
Energy restriction
Mixed exercise
Resistance training
5:2 intermittent diet
Aerobic training (LEAST EFFECTIVE)

This means, for best results, you should pair cardio with:

🥘
Calorie restriction: This means sticking to a calorie deficit. In whatever way that works for you. You could track your calories, eyeball your portions, or follow your preferred diet (e.g., intermittent fasting, ketogenic diet, or the Mediterranean diet) — it’s up to you.
🥩
An adequate protein intake: Eating enough protein tells your body to hold on to as much precious muscle mass as it can and goes a long way in satiating you (i.e., less snacky-snacky, more weight loss). The optimal daily protein intake to hit? 1.6 g per kg of body weight. Oh, and if you can’t hit that, remember that you’ll always have the option of protein shakes.
🏋️‍♂️
Resistance training: Does 2 things. Helps your body preserve/build muscle mass and prevents fat regain in the post-diet phase.

Cardio + energy restriction + enough protein + strength training: 😵‍💫

How are you ever going to stay on top of all that?

An all-in-one fat loss system

Say no to overwhelm and yes to an all-in-one fat loss system.

GymStreak is an AI-powered personal trainer app that’ll help you plan and track your fitness + nutrition programs —tailored to your unique fitness goals and personal preferences (e.g., workout frequency, equipment availability, and dietary restrictions).

Everything you need to seriously boost your chances of successful weight loss.

Don’t just take our word for it; see how GymStreak could help you here:

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Workout Programming + Nutrition Tracking, Off Your Hands

*sigh of relief* We'll guide you through it all — step-by-step. Just download the app, and you'll be making progress toward your dream body like never before.

References

Broskey, Nicholas T., et al. “Effect of Aerobic Exercise-Induced Weight Loss on the Components of Daily Energy Expenditure.” Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, vol. 53, no. 10, Oct. 2021, pp. 2164–72. PubMed, https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000002689.

---. “Effect of Aerobic Exercise-Induced Weight Loss on the Components of Daily Energy Expenditure.” Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, vol. 53, no. 10, Oct. 2021, pp. 2164–72. PubMed, https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000002689.

Dorling, James, et al. “Acute and Chronic Effects of Exercise on Appetite, Energy Intake, and Appetite-Related Hormones: The Modulating Effect of Adiposity, Sex, and Habitual Physical Activity.” Nutrients, vol. 10, no. 9, Aug. 2018, p. 1140. PubMed, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10091140.

Eglseer, Doris, et al. “Nutrition and Exercise Interventions to Improve Body Composition for Persons with Overweight or Obesity Near Retirement Age: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Advances in Nutrition, vol. 14, no. 3, May 2023, pp. 516–38. ScienceDirect, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advnut.2023.04.001.

Flack, Kyle D., et al. “Altered Motivation States for Physical Activity and ‘appetite’ for Movement as Compensatory Mechanisms Limiting the Efficacy of Exercise Training for Weight Loss.” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 14, 2023, p. 1098394. PubMed, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1098394.

Jakicic, John M., and Renee J. Rogers. “Association of Eating Behaviors with Variability in Weight Change in Response to Physical Activity Interventions in Adults with Overweight.” Nutrients, vol. 15, no. 15, Aug. 2023, p. 3452. PubMed, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15153452.

Ltd, HealthMatch Pty. “Do You Lose Weight By Going To The Bathroom?” HealthMatch, 12 Nov. 2021, https://healthmatch.io/weight-management/do-you-lose-weight-when-you-poop.

McCarthy, David, and Aloys Berg. “Weight Loss Strategies and the Risk of Skeletal Muscle Mass Loss.” Nutrients, vol. 13, no. 7, July 2021, p. 2473. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13072473.

Morton, Robert W., et al. “A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression of the Effect of Protein Supplementation on Resistance Training-Induced Gains in Muscle Mass and Strength in Healthy Adults.” British Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 52, no. 6, Mar. 2018, pp. 376–84. bjsm.bmj.com, https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2017-097608.

Steele, James, et al. “Slow and Steady, or Hard and Fast? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Studies Comparing Body Composition Changes between Interval Training and Moderate Intensity Continuous Training.” Sports, vol. 9, no. 11, 11, Nov. 2021, p. 155. www.mdpi.com, https://doi.org/10.3390/sports9110155.