David Harper is an ACE and AFAA-certified group exercise instructor, and a fitness trainer at SPAC and other fitness facilities across Chicago. He’s worked in the health and fitness industry for the past 15 years.

In today’s world, quick and easy is the name of the game. In terms of fitness, people look for the quickest way to lose weight or bulk up their muscles. Sadly, though many may promise it, there is no quick fix, in pill form or otherwise, to achieve the fitness results many desire.

When people do find out that they do have to exercise to stay in shape, they want to know how little they can get away with. One of the most enduring questions for any fitness professional is “Which is better, cardio or weight training?” Here is a breakdown of each type of exercise so you may make a more informed decision as to which type is best for you.

Cardiovascular, or aerobic, exercise places increased demands on the heart and lungs. Put another way, cardio is a good, hard sweat. In cardio exercise, the heart and lungs require lots of oxygen. This results in a healthier, stronger heart and increased lung capacity. Cardiovascular exercise is also an outstanding way to burn off stored fat or maintain your current weight. This type of exercise is also the only way to keep your heart strong, healthy, and working efficiently.

Weight training however, places increased demands on the muscles of your body. This results in improved muscle strength and endurance. Weight training also increases the amount of lean muscle mass in your body. Several studies have shown that a higher amount of lean muscle leads to increased metabolism. Increasing metabolism results in less fat stored in the body because of a greater efficiency in burning daily fat and calories. Therefore, weight training can lead to weight loss. But, weight training does very little to strengthen your heart, which is the most important muscle of all.

So, here’s the skinny: Both types of exercise provide great benefit to your overall fitness level. But, one is no better than the other. I would recommend including both types of exercise in your workout regimen. You may choose to do one type of exercise more than the other. Take some time to evaluate your fitness goals and decide which type of exercise routine would have the greatest result for you. The most important fact to remember is this: Any exercise at all is beneficial!