Cardio exercise is the only way to lose weight
Any exercise that burns calories will contribute to lose weight. In fact studies have shown that adding strength training to your exercise program results in quicker results. When increasing your strength by resistance training the body responds by recovering the muscles and building them further, this uses more energy.
Cardio only works out the heart and lungs.
When doing aerobic exercise your heart rate and respiration rate go up in order to deliver more oxygen to the muscles. The muscles are working hard during cardio training.
The fat burning zone
Many people thinking by doing long low intensity workouts the body will burn more fat. The body will use any calories available. When doing a more intense or interval type training the body may use carbs up, but the end result is the same as afterwards the body will metabolize fats to restore the carbohydrates to normal levels. Furthermore studies have shown that shorter intense workouts result in stimulated metabolism for a longer period afterwards. After a prolonged low demand workout the body responds by fatigue, metabolism decreases and appetite increases.
Cardio allows you to multi task in the gym
If you are reading a book or watching a movie during your workout you are probably not pushing hard enough. It is better to concentrate on a more intense shorter workout for the same reasons mentioned above.
Training for a race is best way to lose weight
When training for a race the objective is to improve the efficiency of the body, meaning that you are able to complete the race with less energy expenditure. If you are geared to losing weight the body needs to be progressively challenged by pushing the limits both in cardio and resistance training.
Cardio or aerobic training is important, but like anything it is important to understand what it can and cannot do. Like any exercise program striking the right balance of cardio and resistance training is key.