Aerobic exercise best for weight loss

Individuals who want to lose some weight in the new year may want to put some new or used gym equipment, a pair of sneakers or athletic apparel on their holiday wish list. This is because of a new study conducted by researchers at Duke University that found aerobic training (AT) is the best way to reduce fat and body mass.

According to HealthDay News, researchers assigned nearly 120 sedentary, obese or overweight adults to undertake an exercise program consisting of AT, resistance training (RT) or a combination of both for eight months. 

They found that those who did AT and the combination of AT and RT reduced their total fat mass and body mass more than those who only did RT.

"If increasing muscle mass and strength is the goal, a program including RT is required," said the study's authors. "However, balancing time commitments against health benefits accrued, it appears that AT alone is the optimal mode of exercise for reducing fat mass and total body mass."

Scientists point out that RT is important to maintain strength and help raise one's metabolic rate, which is the amount of calories one burns while resting.

Common ways of getting AT include running, walking, hiking, bicyling and swimming.