I usually go to the gym to run or cycle. My workout mostly consisted of cardio until Orange Theory introduced me to weight lifting. While many believe that cardio is the best way to maintain a healthy weight, others claim that strength training should have an equal role. So which one is better - cardio or weights? Let's talk about it.

We are all looking for the best way to stay fit and maintain a healthy weight, especially during winter time when we seem to easily amass body fat. Cardio vs weights is one of the biggest debates when it comes to exercise. Cardio has long been seen as the most effective way to lose weight, while strength training can help build muscle mass. But which one should you choose if your goal is fat loss or overall health and fitness?

In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at cardio vs weights and discuss how they both play a role in achieving your fitness goals. We’ll also provide some tips on how to incorporate both into your routine so that you can make the most out of every workout session!

Aerobic exercise

Cardio and weightlifting are two of the most popular forms of exercise. They both offer a variety of benefits and can be used to achieve different fitness goals. It's important to understand the differences between cardio and weightlifting to find out which is best for you.

Cardio is any type of aerobic exercise that increases your heart rate and helps burn fat. Examples include running, cycling, swimming, brisk walking, jogging, rowing, stair climbing, indoor/outdoor sports, and many other activities that increase your breathing and heart rate over a sustained period of time. Cardio exercises will help you reach your cardiovascular health goals like improving heart rate and increasing longevity.

Strength training

Weightlifting or strength training involves moving against resistance with the use of weights or other equipment designed to create tension in the body's muscles. Strength training can build muscle mass as well as increase strength, power, and agility. It also helps increase endurance by causing small tears in the muscle tissue (microtrauma) which repairs itself resulting in stronger muscles over time. This can be done using machines, free weights, or just bodyweight exercises like push-ups or squats.

Because both cardio and weightlifting have unique advantages there are benefits to doing both together in order to achieve optimal overall fitness results. Cardio is great for calorie burning but does not add much muscle mass while weight lifting builds muscle but does not burn large amounts of calories efficiently on its own. Combining these two activities leads to greater gains in physical fitness such as improved strength and endurance as well as an increased ability to burn calories efficiently due to having more muscle mass in the body which requires energy.

How to incorporate cardio and resistance training into your routine

After leaving Orange Theory, it was difficult for me to incorporate weights and reps into my workout routine. But with persistence and will, I found a way! In order to start incorporating resistance training into your cardio workouts, here are some tips that have worked for me:

Set realistic goals

Before you start including weights in your workout routine, it’s important to set realistic goals and make a plan on how you will achieve them. For example, if your goal is to build muscle mass, you might want to start lifting lighter weights for more reps, rather than heavier weights for fewer reps.

Try circuit training

Circuit training involves doing several different exercises back-to-back without stopping in between sets. This allows you to get in a quick cardio workout while also engaging in strength training at the same time. One example includes doing cardio exercises like jumping jacks, sprints, or cycling for a set period of time followed by lifting weights and doing squats or push-ups.

Be familiar with different strength training exercises

Weightlifting requires using equipment or weights to engage in resistance training. But there are also bodyweight exercises that can give you similar benefits without the need for equipment. Some examples include push-ups, planks, sit-ups, donkey kicks, pistol squats, and tricep dips. By being familiar with the different exercises you can do at home or in the gym, you will be able to incorporate resistance training into your cardio routine easily and effectively.

Find a workout buddy

Working out with a friend can help keep you motivated and accountable, making it easier to stick to your fitness goals. Whether you do cardio together or go to the gym together for weight training sessions, having someone there with you can make all the difference!

There seem to be two main camps when it comes to choosing the right type of workout for maintaining a healthy weight: those who advocate cardio, and those who prefer strength or resistance training. Cardio has long been seen as the go-to exercise for burning fat and improving overall health, but recent studies suggest we may need to reconsider this popular belief.

Ultimately, choosing between cardio and weight training depends on what your specific fitness goals are. If fat loss is your main priority, then cardio might be the right choice for you. But if building muscle mass is more important to you, then incorporating resistance training into your workouts will likely provide better results.

Shop inexpensive fitness essentials

So which is better: cardio or weights? While the answer may vary depending on your individual fitness needs, the important thing is to find a workout routine that you enjoy and feel confident doing, no matter what type of exercise it includes. Whether you're hitting the gym for a quick run on the treadmill or doing some resistance training with free weights at home, always remember to stay consistent and be patient as you work towards achieving your goals!

Cardio vs weight training for health