Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Cardio Is Not the Only Way


Are you Big Bad Cardio Machine? I'm an avid runner myself, as it is a great stress reliever and calorie burner! But did you know that your workout can become complete by adding resistance training to it? Don't go away just yet! Many people do not consider resistance training to be essentail to meet their fitness goals as they come to the gym. But let me ask you some questions.

Are you trying to lose weight, and when I say weight I mean fat?

Are you looking to improve your body's physique?

Are you trying to improve your strength or endurance?

Is one of your goals to become healthier?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, resistance training is actually a fantastic way to accomplish these goals and can benefit you by integrating it into your weekly workout routine.

If you are a beginner in an exercise program you can receive benefits when using both aerobic (cardio) and resistance training (weight lifting) in a single workout session.

For more advanced gym goers who have trained in cardiovascular exercises for at least six months, beginning a resistance training program may help if you have reached a plateau in your improvements. Cardio training can be performed once or twice a week to maintain cardio fitness and resistance training will also aid in muscle gains.

For women, many fear they will "bulk up" or have a "manly looking" body. This is absolutely false. For one obvious reason, women are not men. Women have different hormone balances, body composition (typically higher fat %), and appetites/diets (this plays a relatively small role on this topic). Regardless, it is difficult for women to put on muscle mass. And with the right program, you can accentuate your muscle's potential and reach your goals with a well-rounded routine.

One last note for those who are considering resistance training! If you are not sure where to start, get comfortable with the weight machines. They are designed for most body types and are a great start for beginners, as well as those who are more advanced. Also, consider getting involved in a Group X class at the fitness center. Boot Camp, for instance, incorporates cardio training as well as resistance training exercises in a variety of ways for all levels. If you have any questions regarding machines, technique, or possibly a personalized program, talk to one of the Personal Trainers at the fitness desk on the weight floor.

Have a great workout!

Katie Sue (NSCA Personal Trainer)

2 comments:

  1. Great article! Well-written and nicely presented. Thanks for sharing, I found it valuable.
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  2. To give your heart a proper workout you need to make sure that you do your cardiovacular exercise with a certain amount of intensity, but you don't want to overdo it. One way measure the amount of exertion while exercising is by monitoring your heart rate.
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