Cardio or Strength Training?
Gym enthusiasts have duked it out for decades over which is best: cardio or strength training. But whether you want to build muscle, ditch fat or enhance your cardiovascular fitness, the healthiest approach is to do both. Here’s how the ultimate fitness battle breaks down.
Health Benefits of Cardio vs. Strength Training Heart Health
There’s little dispute in the health and fitness world that aerobic activity has the greatest cardiovascular benefits. Cardio is important for heart and lung health, but without strength training, you won’t develop the posture, strength and technique necessary to carry out cardiovascular activities. Even on its own, strength training boasts cardiovascular benefits, too. Winner: Cardio
Weight Loss
Calorie for calorie, cardio has a slight advantage The caveat: Strength training continues torching calories long after you’ve completed your reps. Weight training also increases lean muscle mass, which raises the number of calories your body uses even when you’re resting. Winner: Strength training
Stress Relief
Countless studies show that light cardio activities, like walking or biking for 20 minutes or more, can reduce stress. Athletes who run marathons or bike for extended periods of time often experience a rush of feel-good brain chemicals called endorphins. Winner: Cardio
Muscle Building
Strength training has long held the title for the best way to build muscle. If you’re just doing light resistance exercise a few times a week, you’ll see a small increase in body mass and a decrease in body fat. Winner: Strength training
Bone Health
While activities such as walking and running are often celebrated for promoting bone health, the repetitive nature of cardio can overly tax joints, tendons and ligaments. Strength training can counteract some of these effects by stressing the bones in a controlled manner and correcting muscle imbalances. Winner: Strength training
Combining Cardio & Strength Training Is Best
For maximum benefits, you should do both forms of exercise regularly. Moderate intensity cardio warms up your muscles for strength training. If you’re worried about wasting energy for weightlifting, keep cardio to 10 to 15 minutes. You can also cool down with cardio, which helps stretch out muscles after strength training.
Get moving this summer! For a listing of walking and running groups, recreation centers, parks and trails, visit-macombgov.org/departments/move-more-macomb.
Enjoy free weekly workout classes at The Mall at Partridge Creek courtesy of Henry Ford Macomb Hospital. Visit-henryford.com/calendar/wellness/macomb-hospital/wellness-wednesday for details.
A free yoga class is also offered July 25 at Freedom Hill County Park pavilion, visit-bocmacomb.org/events/yoga-at-the-hill/.
