What is the difference between cardio and weight training?

These days the world of fitness has become high tech and complex. There are hundreds of web sites devoted to offering daily health tips. Some of these websites also have healthcare professionals on board offering advice on common medical questions for athletes. Unfortunately, many of these sites also promote their own supplement(s) and also tend to state that only their exercises or fitness equipment is the best. For the past few years’ people have been debating cardio versus weight training and which one is better or worse. In reality the one daily healthy tip that is universally agreed upon is that

almost any type of physical activity is better than none.

What do you want to achieve?

When it comes to cardio versus weight training, it really depends on what one wants to achieve. For individuals who are more focused on weight loss, keeping the body trim and toned than there is no question that cardio is the way to go. Cardio is known to burn away fat and is one of the best ways to reduce weight. While there is no harm in doing cardio everyday, it can lead to significant loss of muscle and make one appear anorexic. To counter this, one should combine it with a weight lifting training program that adds bulk and power to the muscles. Typical cardio activities include almost any type of fast sporting activity, gym exercises, and use of a fitness ball.

What about weight training?

Weight training on the other hand does not lead to much weight loss but does help build muscle and power. However, this is not a one shot deal and one has to perform repetitions with weights for at least 4-6 weeks to start to see the improvements. There are many types of weight training programs and it is important to develop a schedule so that all muscles get a work out.

Combination routine

Today, rather than focusing on cardio or weight training, most fitness experts suggest combining the two forms of exercise. Both have benefits that are not always mutually exclusive. One can perform cardio for 2-3 days and weight lifting for the rest of the week. This type of combo leads to a great physique, enhanced endurance and a streamlined body. If you are strictly after cardio respiratory benefits, place more emphasis on exercises that are geared towards cardio.

This can be combined with exercises that enhance muscular endurance such as a treadmill rowing machine, swimming or a static bicycle. This not only conditions the body but also helps one lose weight and contour the muscle outline. It is always

important to perform more weight training than cardio. The reason is that with cardio it is usually the same muscles that are being worked each time, which creates an imbalance and an asymmetric body shape.

Evidence for cardio and weight training

There are many studies that have looked at both cardio and weight training in isolation and in combination. While there are some minor disagreements on the exact amount of weight loss with cardio or muscle gain with weight training, the overall consensus is that a combination of the two is the most beneficial. Plus, performing the same type of exercise every day can be monotonous and lead to boredom, which is a very common reason why people quit fitness training.

Common questions about cardio and weight training

Common medical questions often asked are how much weight can one lose with cardio and what should one eat?

With cardio the amount of weight loss depends on the intensity of your exercises. If you do the exercises regularly expect to lose anywhere from 2-4 pounds a month. Remember if you want to maintain the weight loss, you will always need to do some type of exercise.

As to what foods to eat is a difficult question? There are 100’s of diets out there for fitness fanatics and body builders. In practical terms, use common sense. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables and protein. Avoid too many processed and refined foods. During exercise you may want to drink ample water. There are many health and food supplements being promoted for people who exercise. Current evidence indicates that these snacks do have a small benefit but only in people who have already trained. For a first time athlete, the benefits of these supplements are questionable.

What are health benefits of these exercises?

Another common medical question that athletes often ask is if these exercise also have health benefits? Sure, whether you do cardio or weight training, they both have health benefits such as lowering of blood pressure, reduction in your blood glucose and cholesterol; this eventually results in a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke.

Conclusion

No matter what exercise you do, in order to improve and maintain your fitness and physique you also need to eat right. A healthy diet enriched with proteins is vital. In addition, do not smoke and limit the amount of alcohol intake.