“Cardio is like day trading for quick profits (burns calories). Weight training is like investing for passive income (boosts metabolism).”
Cardio and weight training each have unique benefits that can help you achieve your fitness goals. Understanding how they work together is the key to transforming your body and improving your overall health.
The Benefits of Cardio
Cardio is incredible for you. Movement of any sort should be included in your daily regimen. It doesn’t need to be running 3 miles a day. It can be as simple as going for a twenty-minute walk. Cardio increases the number of calories you burn, and doing this daily is crucial for maintaining or losing weight.
Simple Ways to Incorporate Cardio:
- Step goals
- Daily walks
- Riding your bike
- Walking your dog
These forms of cardio will significantly aid your fat loss journey. The effects of cardio are immediate but also short-lived. Once you finish your chosen form of cardio, the calorie burn stops. There’s no muscle being built.
The Role of Weight Training
The toned and lean look that many people aspire to isn’t built from hours of cardio. It’s built through a combination of strength training and daily movement. Strength training is like passive income. It not only burns calories but also builds muscle in the process.
As you build muscle, your metabolism increases. This means you burn more calories daily by doing nothing. People with more muscle can often seem to eat whatever they want and still maintain their figure because their bodies burn more calories as a result of having more muscle.
Why Weight Training is Essential:
- Burns calories
- Builds muscle
- Increases metabolism
By strictly doing cardio, you ensure that you must continue that amount of cardio to maintain your figure. For instance, if you’re running for an hour a day, your body will continuously need that hour of cardio daily to maintain your current physique.
However, strength training not only helps with daily calorie burn but also improves your metabolism and builds muscle. This means your body becomes more efficient at burning calories the more you strength train because of the newfound muscle on your body.
Combining Cardio and Weight Training
To achieve the best body composition, metabolism, and the toned look you desire, a combination of cardio and strength training is essential.
Why Combine Both?
- Cardio: Provides immediate calorie burn and improves cardiovascular health.
- Strength Training: Builds muscle, boosts metabolism, and creates long-term calorie burn.
This combination will help you achieve a balanced and sustainable approach to fitness.
Conclusion
Cardio and weight training each play vital roles in your fitness journey. Cardio is great for immediate calorie burn and should be a part of your daily routine. Strength training builds muscle, boosts metabolism, and provides long-term benefits. By incorporating both, you create a comprehensive fitness plan that helps you achieve and maintain your dream body.
Remember, the key to success is consistency and finding a balance that works for your lifestyle. Embrace both cardio and strength training to transform your body and improve your overall health.
BY CONNOR FLAHIVE