The answer to this age old question has been muddled and rephrased and manipulated for myriad reasons. Usually – to sell you something. For example:
“This dumbbell set will change your life!”
“This treadmill is the key to longevity!”
“Want to lose weight? This resistance band is the ONLY thing you need! And it’s only 3 payments of $19.99!”
You get the picture. They want to sell it? They’ll say almost anything.
So what’s to be done? You have to go back to the science. And the science gives us perhaps the most satisfying answer – you need BOTH!
Both types of training provide so many benefits for your mental and physical health, and finding an intersection of both activities will maximize them for you.
Let’s break it down. We know some of the obvious benefits of cardiovascular exercise:
- It helps keep your heart & lungs healthy,
- It can help to decrease blood pressure and increase blood flow, increasing the flow of oxygen to all parts of your body,
- And it increases your aerobic fitness – meaning you can climb those stairs without getting winded!
But did you also know that cardiovascular exercise:
- Helps protect your brain health,
- Can diversify and support your gut microbiome,
- And helps you sleep!
Strength and resistance training come roaring back with diverse benefits like:
- Increasing your bone density,
- Protecting your joints,
- And improving your body composition,
- Increasing and maintaining balance,
- Not to mention strengthening and building your muscles!
Not only are both of these types of exercise important for people in their teens and 20s, but they become even more vital as we age. Much as Newton’s laws describe, an object in motion will stay in motion, and this rings true for people who prioritize exercise in every decade.
The benefits listed above are only a snapshot of the varied and endless pros to finding a balanced exercise routine that incorporates both strength-building and cardiovascular activities throughout life.
There are tens, if not hundreds of different exercise options available. You can find something indoors or out, with equipment or bodyweight, even options that mix in music and community.
You can choose to divide and conquer, with some activities focused solely on cardio work, while others zoom in on strength. Or, if you prefer it (or you’re short on time!), then you can work in both at the same workout.
Of course, knowing that it is important to exercise this way and actually doing it are very different. If these types of exercises are the door to a healthier life, then consistency will be the key to unlocking it.
No matter what specific activity or set of activities you choose to fulfill the strength and cardio training recommendations, sticking with it over the long haul will help you reap the most benefits.
Getting started today doesn’t need to mean lifting 100 pounds or running a marathon – start small and get moving. Your body will thank you today, tomorrow, and 50 years from now!
If you’re ready to level up your health with cardio and strength training, RiseUp Fitness is ready for you. Try a workout for free and start feeling amazing. You can book one here!