Compared to aerobic exercise, resistance training does not lead to as large a decrease in the body's resting energy expenditure or daily movement energy use.

We analyzed the available evidence and found that resistance training appears to be associated with less reduction in metabolism compared to aerobic exercise. Specifically, the evidence we’ve reviewed shows that when people engage in resistance training—like lifting weights or using resistance bands—their resting energy expenditure and daily movement energy use tend to decline less than when they do aerobic exercise, such as running or cycling [1]. This suggests that resistance training may help preserve the body’s natural calorie-burning capacity during weight loss or periods of reduced activity. We did not find any studies in our review that contradicted this pattern. The 54.0 supporting assertions indicate a consistent trend across multiple observations, though we note that these are not all controlled experiments and may include different types of measurements and populations. Resting energy expenditure refers to the number of calories your body burns at rest to keep basic functions like breathing and circulation running. Daily movement energy use includes all the small activities you do throughout the day—walking, standing, fidgeting—that add up to a significant portion of total calorie burn. What we’ve found so far leans toward resistance training being gentler on metabolism than aerobic exercise, especially when the goal is to maintain energy expenditure during weight loss. However, we also recognize that individual responses vary, and the long-term effects depend on factors like training intensity, diet, and overall lifestyle. If you’re trying to protect your metabolism while losing weight or staying active, including resistance training alongside other forms of movement may help your body burn calories more steadily over time.