Cardio VS Strength Training

mommy_her3guys918

Curious to see which you believe is best cardio or strength training? Personally, I have been trying to stick with circuit training every day and brisk walking at night at least an hour. What do you think is best for reaching your goal?

Julzanne72

I don't think one is better than the other, I think you need a healthy mix of both. Strength training is equally as important as cardio, if all you do it cardio you will eventually burn muscle, not fat.

astrampe

Please go search this topic - it's been beaten to death numerous times before - a balance is good.....

lucan07

Cardio for weight loss and strength for toning the argument between the two clans is counter productive with myths about cardio burning muscle etc!

Escape_Artist

I guess it might depend on your goal and what you like doing.

I lost a lot of weight doing cardio and lifting pink dumbells for a bazillion of reps, I ended up looking like a smaller version of what I was when I was heavy. Flabby but smaller.

Now the only reason I do cardio anymore is cause it's Hockey season and I wanna stuff myself with chicken wings and beer until my tummy explodes. Aside from that I lift heavy and my body is starting to look the way I really wanted it to (I shall have guns one day, I shall!!)

The way I see it :
Cardio = Makes you look good with clothes on
Heavy lifting = same as above but naked as well

TR0berts

Cardio for weight loss and strength for toning the argument between the two clans is counter productive with myths about cardio burning muscle etc!

This is wrong. Cardio is for endurance, not for weight loss. Caloric deficit is for weight loss. Strength is for getting stronger and maintaining LBM. "Toning" is cr@p.



To answer OP's question - it all depends upon your goal(s). If you want to run a marathon, do more cardio. If you want to get stronger, lift heavy weights.

mindidily

Balance of both is good. I personally don't really enjoy lifting (*gasp!*) so I tend to be more cardio heavy (specifically running and biking). I do find other ways to get strength training in even if it's not lifting.

luckydays27

Curious to see which you believe is best cardio or strength training? Personally, I have been trying to stick with circuit training every day and brisk walking at night at least an hour. What do you think is best for reaching your goal?

Cardio = Look good in the Board Room
Strength Training = Look awesome in the Bedroom

I love strength training and tolerate cardio.

thesophierose

Everyone is different

rduhlir

Well considering that each does a different job, I would say neither is better than the other. Strength is about anaerobic exercise, cardio is about aerobic exercise. Which would you prefer:
- A skinny-fat person. Super aerobic endurance, but can barely lift a 10lb bowling ball.
- A super muscular person. Can bench press a semi truck, but can barely run 100 yards before getting winded.
- A person who is trained both aerobicly and anaerobicly. Can run that 5K Turkey Trot with the family and can help Bob easily build that new outdoor cinder block fireplace.

Really a combination of both is best. Personally, I like getting the looks from people at the airport when I say I can lift my own suit case. Or from my command when I tell them I run half marathons.

links_slayer

Best? Depends what you are trying to accomplish.

born2drum

My weight training sessions are similar to cardio. Heart rate is in the 115-125 range but I still throw in 20min of cardio 203 times a week for health benefits and to be in a greater calorie deficit.

logicman69

There is no "best"

It's what motivates you to keep going. Do you like running? Then RUN. Do you like lifting weights? Then LIFT! Do what makes you happy and keeps you going. Always be open to trying something different though, because you never know what will inspire you.

jacksonpt

Cardio is best for cardio vascular health and all activities dependent on cardiovascular conditioning.

Strength training is best strength, appearance and health issues tied to body fat (when coupled with an appropriate diet).

So the answer to which is best is: it depends.

Mainebikerchick

I don't feel one is better than the other, but I will say that I am getting more results now that I started lifting than when I was only doing cardio...

NeverCatchYourBreath

BOTH.

They're both better in their own ways, therefore, must do a combination.

/end thread.

Myhaloslipped

All kidding aside, I agree with one of the above posters. I love strength training and tolerate cardio. I basically do cardio to create a caloric deficit, build endurance, maintain cardiovascular health and also for overall stress relief

CharliesInCharge

Well considering that each does a different job, I would say neither is better than the other. Strength is about anaerobic exercise, cardio is about aerobic exercise. Which would you prefer:
- A skinny-fat person. Super aerobic endurance, but can barely lift a 10lb bowling ball.
- A super muscular person. Can bench press a semi truck, but can barely run 100 yards before getting winded.
- A person who is trained both aerobicly and anaerobicly. Can run that 5K Turkey Trot with the family and can help Bob easily build that new outdoor cinder block fireplace.

Really a combination of both is best. Personally, I like getting the looks from people at the airport when I say I can lift my own suit case. Or from my command when I tell them I run half marathons.

TRUTH!!