Weight lifting is working out for people who 1) don’t want to do the hard work of endurance sports or 2) care about aesthetics more than health

Swimming, cycling, and running are more efficient workouts. Swimming especially gives you everything that cardio AND weights can give you. But weights make you look strong with comparatively little effort and many breaks in between. If you want to work out and don’t run, swim, cycle, row, or something like it, you ain’t an athlete. (Exceptions are for people who need specific help with balance or bone density.)