Sponsored Content
Cardio vs. Strength
The health and fitness world frequently argues about what type of training is best. You have one group of people who can run for miles and miles without end. You also have another group of people who can lift 2 or 3 times their body weight on any given day.
The magical question is, which is better?
The answer to that question is dependent on who is asking the question. Strength training may be the way to go if you are looking into strengthening and growing your muscles. Suppose you want to be able to move around and not be fatigued and out of breath. In that case, cardiovascular training may be better.
What is cardio training?
Cardio training is aerobic exercise. It is a type of workout where your heart rate and breathing increase, but not to the point where you need to stop. Training like running, stair climbing, rowing, speed walking, cycling, and swimming are all great examples of cardiovascular activity. These bouts of aerobic exercise generally last 20 minutes or longer.
What is strength training?
Strength training is anaerobic training. When lifting weights, the energy output to lift or move the weight is not going past a couple of seconds. Strength training is an exercise that causes your muscles to contract against an outside resistance. Strength training can be lifting weights, using resistance bands, or performing bodyweight exercises.
Benefits
Both forms of training come with their own set of benefits and limitations. Exercise overall comes with great benefits like helping manage weight, reducing the risk of disease, and improving your ability to do everyday activities.
Cardio training increases stamina, fitness, and strength. It also strengthens your heart, keeps arteries clear, and reduces health risks.
Strength training increases metabolism to burn calories, improves bone health, and increases flexibility and mobility.
Regardless of how you choose how to work out, whether cardio or strength training, the most important thing is to stay active. Staying active in the way you enjoy the most will always give the best results and benefits.
The Secret
The real secret is that we all need both forms of exercise. For most of us, a 60-40 combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercise is about right. 3 or 4 days a week of aerobic exercise combined with 2 or 3 days a week of strength building builds both major components of fitness.