Cardiovascular exercises or weight training? Know the difference here.
In the battle for fat loss, success between cardiovascular training and weight training generally arises these questions.
Is cardio or weight training better for fat loss?
What burns more fat, cardio or weight training ?
Is weight training more effective than cardio ?
How good is cardio for weight loss?
Can I loose weight by lifting weights only ?
In my 4 years of fitness coaching career this question is being asked to me enormous times..I will let you be the best judge. You yourself would be able to figure it out after reading the full blog. Before we get into any kind of discussion and come to a conclusion, let’s have close look to the benefits of both separately.
Starting with the cardiovascular exercises first
The word cardio is probably one of the first words you hear when you start an exercise program. Cardiovascular exercise is any movement (running,cycling,climbing,dancing,swimming) that gets your heart rate up and increases blood circulation and it is one of the key components that should never be left out of a fitness plan.We may think of cardio as a chore. Huffing, puffing and sweating.. But cardio in any form is very effective in burning maximum no of calories. But the reason to do cardio does not end with fat loss . There is wide variety of health benefits you receive from a regular cardio programe. Such as :
A- Improved heart health
B- Increased metabolism
C- Reduce stress
D- Relief from depression and anxiety
E- More energy
F- Better sleep
So the mantra is ‘Keep calm and do cardio.’
Weight training
When you think of weight training, body builders with bulky muscles and chiseled chests come into the mind. But resistance training offers far more than you think. It’s just not about bulking up.
Have a look at the reasons why resistance or weight training is incredible for your health:
A- Firstly and most importantly, it keeps your bones strong and healthy. After 30 you start to lose bone density and women make up 80% of osteoporosis cases as they lose bone mass. I personally know many of them. Still thinking about not lifting weights?
B- It improves posture.
C- It improves balance and reduce the risk of falls. ( older people are always at higher risk injury due falls)
D- Improves strength and endurance
E- It improves your ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL)
F- It promotes fat free body mass
G- It improves quality of life by giving you a great body
You ask me why do I lift weights? I wonder why don’t you?
Conclusion
Cardio burns more calories than strength training,without any doubt. But it doesn’t add much to your muscle mass. Strength training is the number one way to build more muscles and build strength. Still confused between cardiovascular exercise and weight training? So the answer is..In order to maintain existing muscle mass and keeping body fat to minimum, you need to focus on both cardio as well as weight training..Both go hand in hand. The key to fat loss is balance between both.
Divide your 5 workout days into two parts. Strength training on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and cardio on Tuesday and Thursday. For those who are seriously looking for fat loss they should be lifting weights before cardio. As and when you do weight training you will typically use glycogen as fuel .By doing weight training first you can burn majority of your glycogen stores. Knocking out your cardio after you crush the weights will burn more fat.
Rise and Shine. It’s exercise time.
To know more about the types of exercises you should follow in your workout regime drop us a comment and follow our publication. you can also contact me for any personal assitance.
