Your Fitness

One of the ongoing debates in the fitness world today is which burns more calories: cardio or weight training?

You will find those on both sides of the argument offering data to support their position. As much as I would like to say that you can dispense with one or the other the truth of the matter is that you need both of them. I know, that is not what you wanted to hear but let’s be honest deep down inside you knew this was the case.

Trust me there is nothing that I would love more than to never have to due another minute of cardio training for the rest of my life. I despise treadmills, ellipticals and the like. However, I faithfully do them everyday that I go to the health club.

I know that there are other people who probably fell the same way about weight lifting. Much of it has to do with (in my humble opinion) the type of muscle fibers our bodies are composed of. My theory is that the more fast twitch muscle fiber you have the more you enjoy weight lifting. The more slow twitch muscle fiber you have the more you enjoy cardio. In other words, it boils down to personal preference since one form of exercise is easier for us since our bodies are better equipped to handle one or the other.

But the truth of the matter is that we need both. Cardio is essential for burning calories. I have tried to burn calories thru weight training programs but ultimately I fail to keep up the pace of the workout. If I workout at a pace that keeps my heart rate where I want it I do not have enough rest in between sets and my weight lifting performance and progress falters. If I give myself the rest in between sets that I require then my heart rate is too low to burn calories as I should.

Therefore, cardio becomes a necessity for me in order to burn the calories that I need to throughout the day.

Conversely, weight training is essential as well since the more muscle that you have the more calories that your body will burn in order to maintain this muscle. It takes more energy for you body to maintain muscle than it does to maintain the same weight in fat. The more muscle you have the higher your metabolism will be as well. This will benefit you in your overall weight loss and fitness program.

When you combine the two forms of exercise you have a powerful duo that provides you will a tremendous level of fitness and keeps your body weight exactly where you want. So do yourself a favor and spend time each week performing both cardio and weight training. You will be better off for it.

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