There are infinite options available for exercise, making it tough to narrow down your workout routine. At Balanced Flow Wellness, we’ll help you develop a fitness program that considers the differences between two types of exercise: cardio vs strength training.
Cardio vs Strength Training
The truth is, you need cardio and strength training. The two work synergistically to burn fat, build muscle, and improve your overall health.
Without one, the other will not be as effective. Both cardio and strength training can increase bone density, “good” cholesterol, and insulin sensitivity as well as improve overall physical performance.
Cardio Training
Cardio, also known as aerobic exercise, betters your body’s cardiovascular system at absorbing and transporting oxygen. It can reduce fat on your body and in your bloodstream. Cardio has the most impactful benefits on your heart, lungs, and endurance.
Strength Training
Strength training, also known as resistance training, helps you gain muscle mass and strength. It also increases the number of calories you burn while at rest because muscle is much more metabolically active than fat. In fact, your muscles contribute about 20% of your daily energy expenditure, while fat only accounts for 5%.
The Importance of Outlining Your Goals
As convenient as it would be to stick with either cardio or strength training, that’s not the best plan for your overall health. Ideally, you’ll get a healthy dose of both every week. Still, all physical goals require a unique balance of exercise strategies.
When we work with clients on developing a detailed fitness program, our first step is to outline their goals. If your main objective is to lose weight, your plan will differ from someone aiming to build muscle.
Goal of Weight Loss:
If you’re looking to lose weight, movement is most vital. Shoot for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity cardio per week, and increase that goal with time. To avoid muscle loss, add strength training at least 2 times weekly and be sure to consume enough protein. We recommend around 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight each day.
Goal of Building Muscle:
If you’re looking to build muscle, focus on strength training. However, if you want to see muscle definition, you still need to burn off the layer of fat covering them. Cardio can play a significant role in achieving muscle definition when paired with proper nutrition.
Miha Bodytec EMS Training
Miha Bodytec is wearable electromagnetic technology designed to maximize your every move. Using this device while training, you can get cardio and strength training in at the same time! The utilization of EMS can assist in muscle growth, enabling you to burn more calories while at rest, and enhance your cardiovascular health through intensified aerobic activity.
Check out this video to get more familiar with EMS technology.
Get Expert Advice at Balanced Flow Wellness
At Balanced Flow Wellness, we exist to help you find the best wellness path possible. One of our experienced team members would love to educate you on the ideal fitness program for your body. To get more information about cardio vs strength training, make an appointment with one of our experts using the button below.
