11 Differences Between Swimming and Gym Workouts That Impact Weight Loss

4. Resting metabolic rate: Which mode helps RMR more

Resting metabolic rate (RMR) determines daily calorie needs and influences how easy it is to lose or maintain weight. Resistance training—common in gym programs—has a clearer track record of increasing RMR over time because growing or preserving muscle requires more energy at rest (Medical News Today). That means gym-goers who lift regularly often see better long-term changes in metabolic needs compared with people who do only low-resistance cardio.