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Cardio vs Strength Training: Which is Best for You & Your Health?
Cardio and strength training are two forms of exercise that offer different benefits depending on your needs. For those looking to improve their overall health, both types of exercise are important for creating a balanced, healthy lifestyle.
Before beginning any form of exercise, it’s important to consult with your doctor and develop a plan that is tailored to your specific needs and goals. Performing the wrong type of exercise for your needs can lead to injury or fatigue.
The Benefits of Cardio
For those looking to have a healthy heart and improve their lung function, cardio is the way to go. Cardio exercises are aimed at increasing heart rate, which leads to increased circulation and better oxygen flow throughout the body.
Cardio activities such as jogging, biking, and swimming also burn calories, helping to create a calorie deficit and lead to weight loss. As an added bonus, many people experience a “runner’s high” after their workout, feeling more energized and motivated.
The Benefits of Strength Training
Focus on the other side of fitness, strength training helps to build muscle and burns fat. Strength training activities involve weight lifting and working with resistance bands or our own bodyweight. It’s important to gradually increase the amount of weight and intensity as you get stronger to continue to make progress.
Strength training exercises also help to improve balance and coordination, strengthen bones, and improve posture. Strength training is also beneficial for those who suffer from joint pain, as it assists in supporting and stabilizing the muscles and joints.
Which Exercise is Better for You?
In order to determine which type of exercise is best for you, consider your health goals and lifestyle. If you’re looking to lose weight, then both cardio and strength training can help you do that. However, if you’re not interested in burning calories, then you might want to focus on strength training.
If you’re looking to increase physical strength and improve balance, then strength training is the way to go. If you’re more focused on having a healthy heart and improving lung function, then focus on cardio activities.
In order to truly improve your overall health, it’s important to incorporate both cardio and strength training activities into your exercise regime. Finding the right balance between the two can help you reach your fitness and health goals.
