Strength Training or Cardio – What are the Differences?

 

Exercise Types

If you plan to start exercising, then you should know that generally there are 2 broad categories of exercise. The first category is cardio. This refers to things like running, jogging, skipping rope, using exercise bikes, using treadmills, etc. Cardio gets your cardiovascular system pumping and it helps you lose weight by burning off calories. Strength training, on the other hand, helps you burn calories and build muscle by exercising.  Examples are: weight training, anything involving dumbbells, push-ups, pull-ups etc.

But which type is best for you?

Cardio is best for burning fat.

If your goal with exercise is to burn fat and shed some pounds, then without a doubt the best option is cardio. Now, that may be confusing for some. After all, both cardio and strength training are forms of exercise, so why should cardio be a better option for burning fat? Well, the reason is rather simple. 30 minutes of cardio burns more calories than 30 minutes of strength training. This may come as a surprise to some people, especially since you will find many people stating that strength training is the only way to go.

However, recent research has shown that cardio is just a much better way of burning fat and burning calories. For example, a study conducted by researchers at Duke University, looked at whether resistance training, cardio or a mixture of both was the best way to lose weight. The study concluded that if your goal is simply to lose weight and burn fat, then your best option is just to do cardio alone. Cardio proved to be superior both to strength training and strength training mixed with cardio. Now, this is not to say that strength training is useless, just that when it comes to losing weight, cardio is the better option.

Strength Training works best for muscle building.

If you want to build muscle, then the best option is strength training. In order to build muscle efficiently then you need to do strength training. Cardio is simply not intense enough to let you build muscle. In order to really build muscle, you need to do rapid, high-intensity exercise sessions. Strength training takes on more importance for people who are getting older, as strength training is the only way of ensuring that you maintain some muscle mass.

Finally, the best option is what works best for you. This will probably be some combination of both strength training and cardio!

We recommend you download this very useful free report that will further provide information on exercise and fitness.

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3 Great Exercise Types that Sharpen Your Senses

3 Great Exercise Types

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Exercises train your body and mind as well. Most people are aware of the benefits of toning your muscles, losing weight and feeling strong. Few people however realize how much exercising does for your mental health. There are exercises that sharpen your senses and increase your feeling of well being .

Practice  these 3 Great Exercise Types to maintain a fit body and a sharp mind.

Yoga

Yoga is great for your mental sharpness. It also makes you concentrate and gain control over your muscles. Aside of exercising many muscles in your body, it forces you to control how you breathe.  Additionally it forces you to relax. Hence, your mind sharpens and so do your senses. Few exercise forms are as complete as yoga.

Aerobics

Aerobic exercises get your body parts moving and your heart pumping. A good aerobic workout will strengthen your muscles, improve your circulation and oxygen intake. In doing so, your brain cells will also benefit. A good aerobic workout will get your entire cardiovascular system running. If it is good for your muscles, it is also good for your brain. Another great exercise to keep you focused and fit as well..

Jogging

Jogging does wonders to your mental acuity.  Many people run outdoors, and studies show that outdoor exercise alone is good for your mood. Not only does it get your blood pumping and reduce stress, it also gives you the famous “runner’s high.” A runner’s high results in a flood of endorphins being released into your body. These endorphins not only help reduce stress levels, but they also help fight off mental illnesses like depression. Just in general, endorphins make you feel energized and better about yourself.

These 3 Great Exercise Types will help you stay mentally fit.

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Exercise

Exercise Programs to Loose Weight.

Stay fit for life by creating your own exercise program. Choose the body areas where you need improvement by targeting each one with specific workouts.

Read below for suggestions that are proven to work. Regardless of whether you prefer working with weights, aerobics or running, if you prepare a a well thought exercise plan, results will soon follow.

Exercise for a life of wellness. Start Now!

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Exercise Bike Workout Tips

Exercise Bike Workout

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 Do you want an effective exercise bike workout?

Here are some tips for you.

Pick a Good Exercise Bike

To begin with, there are quite a few different exercise bikes on the market. You’ll find inexpensive mini bikes and larger and more expensive bikes as well as recumbent bikes. Look at product reviews of exercise bikes to help you choose a good one. Look at models that show you distance traveled, calories burned, and if possible, one that measures your heart rate, too.

Use it Regularly

Many people buy an exercise bike with the goal of regularly doing exercise bike workout routines but the bike winds up sitting in a corner, collecting dust or being used as a clothes horse. Consider whether you’re really going to use it or not. If you aren’t sure that you are, consider buying an alternate piece of workout equipment or better yet – join a gym so you’ll have access to a wide variety of exercise equipment. If you think you’ll use it 2-3 times a week, it could be a good investment

Track Your Progress

Because setting goals is a good way to make sure you get the most out of y our exercise bike workout routines. Hence consider keeping a running total of the amount of calories burned and / or the amount of distance traveled on your workouts. Most models will provide you with a display that tells you these things. If you make it a goal to increase calories burnt or distance traveled weekly, you could see and feel great results from your exercise bike workouts.

Tips to Stay Interested

It can get boring to sit on a stationary bike and stare at the same wall. Make sure you vary your routine to keep your exercise bike workout interesting:

• Move the bike. Move it in front of a window, in front of a tv, etc. You might even want to move it in front of your computer so you can do other things while you exercise on the bike.

• Take it outside. If you can have an indoor exercise bike for workouts and buy a bicycle to do outdoor workouts, even better.

• Take a spin class. Exercise bike workouts in spin classes mimic outdoor conditions and add a great deal of intensity to exercise bike workouts. This could be a good start before you invest in a stationary bike for your home, too.

• Mix it up. If every single workout involves a stationary bike, you’ll have a greater chance of getting bored. Find alternate cardio exercises to blend in with your exercise bike workouts. Consider walking, running, swimming, and aerobics classes, too. Adding strength training to your regimen is a smart idea, too.

In conclusion, use the Exercise Bike Workout Tips offered above and you will see results.

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Aerobics Exercises – A Fun Way To Lose Weight

Aerobics Exercises

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Aerobics exercises help you oxygenate and this type of exercise is a versatile way to lose weight and get fit. To start with, there are so many different options. Take a class with other women and do aerobics together. Or exercise from the privacy of your home with aerobics exercise videos or home exercise equipment. Join the gym and use their equipment, or simply start getting active in your own neighborhood. You could also do a little bit of all of the above.

Choose from many different aerobics exercises  so you will not get bored. Aerobics exercises offer you a great way to work out doing different routines, keeping you interested and motivated.

Since many workouts can be boring and repetitive after a few times. The variety of aerobics exercise options however, offer many different methods to lose weight.

In addition to get your heart pumping, help you burn calories, and tone muscles.  Other added benefits are, reducing risk of heart disease, lowering your blood pressure, better managing blood sugar issues, helping improve digestive function, and more.

Examples of exercises that might be in your aerobic routines:

Aerobics Exercises – A Fun Way To Lose Weight

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  • Walking, hiking, running
  • Swimming, water aerobics
  • Aerobics classes
  • Boxing and kick boxing
  • Rowing
  • Jumping jacks
  • Jumping with a jump rope
  • Skiing
  • Plyometric Training
  • Dancing

It’s clear that there are many options to choose from and not all of them are for beginners but even if you start off with low impact and a small amount of aerobics exercises several times a week, you’ll be doing great things for your health.

Whether you take a class for aerobics exercises or just strive to get moving every day. You’ll start to see a difference in the number on the scale, how well your clothing fits, and in your endurance levels. Start off with low impact activity and find that within a few weeks of working out a few times a week, you’ve got more stamina and more energy.

Don’t start off planning to run a marathon. If you’ve got health issues, you probably will want to speak with your doctor before embarking on an aggressive workout plan. Start off small with ten minute intervals of exercise.

Finally, keep looking at different options to keep aerobics exercises as diverse as possible and you’ll soon see and feel the difference.

 

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Running for Weight Loss is a Great Way to Get Healthy.

Running for Weight Loss

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Do you wish you had the body of a runner? Running for weight loss is a highly effective way to lose weight fast. Runners are often healthier than most people and develop long and lean muscles. But running for weight loss isn’t necessarily the easiest thing to get into.

Running for Weight LossHow do you become a runner, especially if you find running difficult right now?

Start Off Slow

Walking, then speed walking, then jogging or running for weight loss could be a good progression for you. You can’t break into a run the first day you exercise without feeling like you’re going to pass out. A short run the first day, a break the next day to help your muscles recover, and then continue increasing your distance over time.

You might train with a treadmill, by running outdoors, or with a combination of both methods. Whatever the case, running for weight loss can bring about great and rapid results.

Tips: Make sure you get well hydrated for your runs, bring water with you, and get the right gear. Good shoes are essential. It’s also nice to have extras, such as a heart monitor (not a necessity), and you can even integrate your shoes with your smartphone (Nike, for instance, has an integrated iPhone app for runners).

Run With A Friend

If you’re running for weight loss and you can find someone to buddy up with, at least some of the time, this is a great thing. You can plan to run together and complain about the aches and pains together. And you can compare your weight loss results together.

You might even opt to eventually train for and then run a 5k together. New runners can often train in 3 months to be able to run their first 5k run.

Running for Weight LossJoin A Running Clinic Or Hire A Trainer

There are running clinics that provide you with great information and training that can help you progress and maximise your results. Consider looking for a local running clinic or trainer.

Regardless of which type of running for weight loss you take up, it’s going to be a bit of an uphill climb. But if you get informed and you stick with it, running can be one of the best ways to lose weight you’ll find. Once you reach your weight loss goals with running, continued weight management can be much simpler (even with some room for the occasional splurge).

Try Running for Weight Loss and Better Health, It Works!

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