Core is key

I have been doing a ton of research in the area of "fastest way to get lean". It is kind of amusing (and just a little frustrating) how much material is out there on this topic. The most frustrating aspect is that there are SO many views - and it seems that every view contradicts every other view.

So - with a lot of time spent searching for a definitive answer - I thought I would put forward my own view (which is a distillation of what I have learned). Of course, this means yet another view is posted out on the internet!

That all being said - pretty much anything that gets you moving helps. Having said that - understanding what your goals are should influence what you should be doing.

For just dropping weight - nothing beats cardio. In particular - interval training. That absolutely kicks up your metabolism - and a great work out can be done in a very short period of time. The downside - you will lose muscle mass as well as fat. For many, that isn't a big deal. Think about the body type of long distance runners - that is what cardio as the primary exercise is guiding you to.

For those that want some definition - nothing beats strength training. Weightlifting - assuming you are stressing your muscles - will help you build muscles. Simple as that.

For the best of both - nothing beats strength training and focusing on core muscles (legs, mid-section and back). The idea is to perform exercises that bring in LOTS of muscle groups - the more the better.