Cardio vs. strength training...what's better for you?

The fitness world is a complicated one to navigate. Everywhere you look, someone different has an opinion of what you should do at the gym. One person is telling you that weights will make you bulky. Another claims weight training is the answer to everything! This raises a lot of questions for me as a trainer. The most common question I receive is, “What should I focus on during a workout, Cardio? Or strength training?"

Here’s a myth buster for you: both strength training and cardio are beneficial to your overall health and wellness! 

Let me break this down by explaining the benefits of each separately, and then tell you why you should be doing a combination of both in your exercise program! 

Cardio and its Benefits

Cardio is short for Cardiovascular. Cardiovascular means that the activity is related to the heart and blood vessels. Cardio activity is also known as aerobic activity, which translates to, “with oxygen”. Mayo Clinic describes cardio as repeatedly using large muscles in your arms, legs, and hips. As you use these muscles, your heart rate increases. As you do more cardio activity, you are able to use oxygen more efficiently. 

Doing cardio during exercise is absolutely necessary if your goal is weight loss. 

When participating in cardiovascular activities, you burn more calories per hour than when you are just lifting weights. This increases your opportunity to reach a calorie deficit (burning more calories than you take in through food during the day). 

Cardio also…

• Strengthens your heart
• Controls your appetite
• Boosts your mood
• Helps you sleep better

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Strength Training and its Benefits

When it comes to strength training, there can be a lot of confusion.. especially for women. When women think weight lifting, the fear of becoming bulky or large comes to mind. Strength training isn’t reserved solely for body builders. In reality, it is necessary for all individuals. 

Becoming stronger through resistance training causes your body to transition into a more “youthful” function. The stronger you are, the higher your metabolism is. It is known that as you age, your metabolism becomes slower. Strength training actually reverses that process as you age. This makes things such as weight loss, overall stamina throughout the day, and prevention from injury easier to achieve. 

Strength Training also… 

• Boosts energy levels
• Improves mood
• Strengthens your heart
• Tones and tightens
• Helps keep the weight off for good

When you combine strength training and cardio in your exercise plan, the benefits are endless. However, finding that balance of both in your program can be overwhelming. This is where trainers come in! We are here to take the stress out of fitness and provide you with the best balance of cardio and strength that align with your unique body and fitness goals. If you are interested in getting started on a fitness plan and finding that balance of cardio and strength, visit my services page and find a great plan for you! Visit my services page or contact me at (210) 861-2705. 

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