Until recently, most experts didn’t think weight training was valuable for cutting body fat. In the 70s and ’80s, health experts pushed aerobics and didn’t think resistance exercise promoted health.

Studies during the past 10 years found that weight training builds muscle, improves cellular health and promotes fat loss.

Researchers from East Carolina University found that weight training increased fat use in abdominal fat during and for at least 40 minutes after exercise in young men. In obese men, three months of weight training increased fat breakdown by stimulating adrenaline receptors in fat stores.

They concluded that weight training prevents fat gain and improves body composition by increasing caloric consumption, promoting abdominal fat breakdown and boosting whole-body fat use. Weight training is a proven fat fighter that works even better when combined with aerobic exercise. [sources: Journal of Applied Physiology, Fitness RX]