Concurrent training, combining aerobic and resistance exercise, is associated with a small but statistically significant reduction in visceral adipose tissue (SMD = -0.36) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SMD = -0.26) in adults with overweight or obesity compared to sedentary controls, with visceral fat showing a greater relative reduction (mean %ΔV/%ΔS = 1.96), suggesting a preferential mobilization of metabolically harmful fat depots.

When someone does both cardio and strength training, their body releases more stress hormones that break down belly fat into fuel. The muscles grow bigger from strength training, which makes the body burn more calories all day. The fat from the belly area breaks down more easily than fat under the skin because it has more blood vessels and more receptors for these hormones. The freed fat gets burned for energy during and after exercise, especially from the belly area, leading to more belly fat loss than fat under the skin.