There are four types of training: flexibility, balance, cardio, and strength training. You need all of these to have a complete fitness program. Each one plays a different role in keeping you fit. All of them work in synergy. If you don’t have the endurance from cardio training, you may lift weights, but not for long. If your muscles are tight and you ignore flexibility training, you’ll pull muscles doing cardio and strength training. Strength training also gives you the strength to keep going in endurance workouts. Which should be your primary focus? That all depends on your goals.
If you’re trying to lose weight, cardio and strength training help.
There is a drawback with cardio training. Even though it burns hundreds of calories, it gets the calories from muscle and fat tissue. Muscle tissue requires more calories for maintenance than fat tissue, so the more you have, the higher your metabolism is. Strength training burns loads of calories, builds muscle tissue, and continues to burn calories for hours.
You’ll shape your body with weight training.
You build some lower body muscles and increase your endurance when doing cardio, but it doesn’t give you a six-pack, a narrower waist, or a toned body. Strength training can help you lose inches, even if you don’t lose weight. Muscle tissue weighs more per cubic inch than fat tissue, so you can stay the same weight and still shed inches. Most people who want to lose weight want to look better and be healthier. Strength training achieves that.
The way you exercise may affect your results more than the type of workout you do.
The intensity of the workout makes a difference. It shortens your workout time and boosts results. High-intensity interval training is one example. You push toward your peak performance until your heart rate is 80 to 90% of its maximum. Then, you lower it to a recovery pace. Throughout the session, you alternate between the two. Alternating the two allows you to work at maximum intensity longer, burn more calories, and get more benefits. You should only do HIIT workouts one or two days a week.
- Cardio workouts are necessary to build heart and lung health. If you don’t like running or strict cardio, combine it with strength training in circuits. Rest less time between sets.
- Full-body workouts can include all types of training. One example is doing kettlebells. You work the entire body as you build endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance.
- Afterburn is part of both cardio and strength training. Cardio might burn an extra 10 calories an hour for a few hours. Strength training burns more extra calories per hour for longer. Your afterburn for cardio might end up being 100 calories, but 400 calories for strength training.
- The key to success for any exercise program is consistency. Schedule your workout at the same time every day to develop a habit. Know what exercises you’ll do so you don’t waste time and track your progress.
For more information, contact us today at Iron Fit San Antonio
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