Which Is Better: Cardio Or Strength Training?

Cardio and strength training go hand-in-hand when it comes to weight loss. Read this article for tips on how to mesh them together perfectly.

When you’ve just started exercising, the whole world of working out can certainly seem overwhelming. There are so many different theories about what works and what doesn’t, about what’s healthy and what’s not. If you’re looking to lose weight, then you have to figure out what exercises will help with that, and which won’t. It’s all so confusing, and if you’re not careful, it can discourage you to the point of giving up. We understand what you’re up against, and we want to help you. Losing weight is such a positive change in someone’s life, and whether you have ten or a hundred pounds to lose, we want to help you in your journey.

Types of Weight Loss Exercises

There are two basic types of exercises that will help you lose weight. Many people are aware of cardio, and there is also strength training. You’ll hear proponents of both types proclaim the praises of each, but the truth is that a combination of both will yield the best results. Cardio, or cardiovascular, exercises get your heart rate up to a level that is optimum for fat and calorie-burning. The blood in your body gets pumping as well, giving your muscles more oxygen. When you keep your heart rate in that zone, you’ll burn more fat than with any other activities.

Strength training’s primary focus is building up your muscles. You may be wary of that because you’ve heard that muscle weighs more than fat, and you’re trying to lose weight, after all! However, building up that muscle density increases the number of calories you burn while you’re just sitting around or even sleeping. Combine that effect with the cardio exercises, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for success!

How To Combine Them Cardio & Strength

Now that you know this information, you may still be at a loss for what to do! What are some good cardio exercises? Here is a sampling, though there are tons of options:

• Walking
• Dancing
• Running
• Swimming
• Aerobics Classes
• Karate

What about strength training activities? Well, the great thing about these exercises is that many of them don’t require weights, though some do. Plus, even adding hand-held, two-pound weights to those will increase your results dramatically. You may be surprised at this list, as some of them you are no doubt familiar with:

• Squats and Lunges
• Push Ups
• Pull Ups
• Weight machine reps
• Bicep curls
• Bench and shoulder presses

The best workout routines, as we’ve mentioned, include both. You may choose to do some activities of both types in one session (squats and lunges paired with a nice brisk walk), or you might prefer to do cardio one day and strength training the next. That decision is personal, and as long as you’re doing both, you’ll be great! Another benefit of using these combinations is that you are less likely to get bored of your routine, and that means you’ll keep at it. It also means that those pounds will keep falling off!