Why to incorporate strength training.

thefuzz1290
thefuzz1290 Posts: 777 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
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Too much cardio without weight training will leave you looking sickly, but add in cardio with weight training and you look healthy.

Replies

  • spiritcrusher
    spiritcrusher Posts: 326 Member
    Not really true.

    If you're a marathon runner who burns 8000 calories running 290375203507235072307523705 miles every day and eats only about 3k, then yeah you're not only going to burn up every bit of glycogen and fat store but you're going to be in a constant catabolic state.

    But I agree that weight training is important.
  • siouxperwoman
    siouxperwoman Posts: 45
    Another reason: muscle helps you burn fat faster. Just sayin :)
  • xraychick77
    xraychick77 Posts: 1,775 Member
    that first photo looks photoshopped btw
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    Perfomance at what?? For running a marathon the man on the left is probably about right. The guy on the right looks like a freak, I'm sure he can perform at his particular sport (sprinting?), but I bet he couldn't run 42km.

    To be elite athletes, they are probably both in quite good general health.

    So, the point you are actually making is that taking things to extremes doesn't look good either way.

    But, I take your point, and agree that it's healthy to have strong muscles, I just don't think these pics are the best illustration.
  • RAFValentina
    RAFValentina Posts: 1,231 Member
    that first photo looks photoshopped btw

    It's not... Long distance runners CAN actually be this "lean"/skinny. Racing snake... When I go to the RAF running events, you see a lot of the long distance guys are like this.

    Weights/Strength training (however you choose to do it, whether it be plyometrics, calisthenics, free or resistance weights/other) are essential for helping keep strong muscles to help protect your body functionally. For example, if you fell forward. Your upper body strength... arms would fall forward and act like suspension making the fall less severe to your body...hence push ups are a great exercise for functionality. They help build muscle and bone density in your arm as they require weight bearing through your arms. In the same way any load bearing exercise in your legs help this, such as squats.

    Functionality wise, for every day life, I personally think the best strength training is unevenly loaded (switched around to train evenly in the end) free weights such as holding a heavier kettlebell in one hand whilst using the other hand to clean and press a different weight... Why? Because this replicates real life, for example, carrying one heavier shopping bag and trying to lift with the other hand to open your front door... or that kind of thing. On top of that, calisthenics such as pressups and squat thrusts are great for your back/spine upper body strength.

    You shouldn't be doing strength training JUST to lose weight, it should be in your workout routines IN SPITE of and you can reap the additional benefits with respect to weight loss, definition, aesthetics too. And women, you won't get bulky as mentioned as you simply do NOT have enough testosterone to get massive easily. However you will get beautifully defined, strong and lean, and help shift that last subcutaneous blubber!

    Just my thoughts though.
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