Finding the right way to manage weight can feel overwhelming when there are so many different types of workouts available. New data comparing various exercise styles helps clarify which methods might work best for women dealing with overweight or obesity.
Researchers looked at 2,315 women and compared several types of training. They found that vigorous aerobic exercise was the most effective way to lower body mass index (BMI) and reduce overall body fat percentage. While high-intensity interval training showed a favorable ranking for reducing total fat mass, it was the intense aerobic work that stood out for general body composition.
Other factors like waist circumference improved most with moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise. When looking at lean body mass—the weight of muscles and bones—none of the programs showed a statistically significant improvement over control groups, though resistance training ranked slightly better than other options in that category.