In a world of skinny models and big muscles, how can you choose how to work out. I for one am always short on time, especially when it comes to the gym. So how can you get the most out of that precious 45 minutes in the gym?
I’m going to be focusing on cardio versus weight lifting. A disclaimer: everyone is an individual and has different body types. Certain workouts will work better for some than others and in the end it is completely up to you and what makes your body feel its best. It also depends what you want to get out of your workout. Are you trying to lose weight? Tone an already fit body? Get more muscle mass? Or just to get the endorphins pumping and feeling good?
Cardio has always been “in” it seems. I remember always being under the impression from the media and influences around me that doing all cardio all the time was the key to a fit body. Not so true as it turns out. Cardio is not as much the key to a strong, healthy body as it is to a strong, healthy mind. Cardio improves mood and is one of the best w
ays to prevent and treat depression. However, doing 30 minutes on the elliptical everyday will not necessarily get you spring break ready. Another pro for cardio is that it keeps your heart and lungs healthy. Any sort of exe
rcise will do this, but the quicker movement and slight stress cardio puts on your body will train your heart and lungs to work more efficiently. The final pro is sleep. I know I have problems falling asleep before 2 am but that’s probably the Netflix. Doing cardio at some point in the day makes you tired and this will translate into better sleep at night. Natural nightquil!
Weight training seems to get a bad wrap. People think it will make you bulky and look like Arnold Schwarzenegger. This is not true. In reality weight training
is actually considered more effective for weight loss for a number of reasons. First, it’s a shock to your body. What I mean by this is instead of going at the same pace for your whole workout, like with cardio, you are constantly changing it up. This type of movement makes your body continue to burn calories for hours after your workout. Also that soreness you feel for days aft
er a good workout is your muscles recovering from micro trauma, elevating your metabolism for an average of three days. You don’t even need to be lifting super heavy weights to get these effects!
So if you are like me and are really busy stick to weight training. It’s possible to get your cardio in while weight training if you are working hard enough. If you come across a day with some extra time, do both, both is always better than one!
Sources:
http://www.self.com/story/best-workout-fat-loss