The two major components of body weight are body fat and lean body mass (muscle and bone). Several studies have clearly shown that, while endurance and HIIT exercise can reduce visceral fat (lower waist circumference) and improve cardiovascular fitness, they often do not result in overall weight loss. Often, athletes find significant strength improvements with resistance exercise but no change, or even an increase, in total body weight. A 2012 study in the Journal of Applied Physiology followed individuals who worked out for eight months and saw no weight loss (despite other significant health benefits).