If you’re looking for a way to get in shape, improve your health, and look great, you should be doing cardio and weight training. Cardio and weight training provide many benefits that you can’t get from either one of them alone. For some people, this may sound a bit overwhelming, but don’t worry, you don’t have to work hours daily. Instead, just a few minutes of both cardio and weight training a few times a week can make a big difference in your health and appearance. If you can do that, you will be well on receiving many benefits!
Contents
- 1 The Benefits Of Cardio
- 2 Improves Heart Health
- 3 Strengthen Your Immune System
- 4 Enhances Cognitive Function
- 5 The Benefits Of Weight Training
- 6 Improve Bone Health
- 7 Burn Calories More Efficiently
- 8 Promotes Quality Sleep
- 9 How To Combine Cardio And Weight Training
- 10 Reap The Benefits Of Doing Cardio And Weight Training
The Benefits Of Cardio
To start, let’s look at the benefits of cardio. Cardio, short for cardiovascular exercise, is any movement that gets your heart rate up and keeps it there for an extended period, such as running, biking, swimming, rowing – anything that gets your heart going. And there are plenty of good reasons to do cardio, including:
Improves Heart Health
When you do cardio exercises, your heart muscle becomes stronger and more efficient at pumping blood. As a result, your resting heart rate slows down, and your blood pressure decreases. Cardio also helps to reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels and increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels. In addition, it helps to lower triglyceride levels and reduce inflammation throughout the body.
All of these factors help to reduce your risk of developing heart disease. So if you’re looking for a way to improve your heart health, include some cardio in your workout routine.
Strengthen Your Immune System
Cardio exercise is not only good for your heart, but it can also help to strengthen your immune system. When you exercise, your body temperature rises. This temperature increase helps kill bacteria and viruses that might otherwise make you sick. In addition, exercise triggers the release of antibodies and white blood cells, which help to fight infection.
Furthermore, regular exercise can help reduce stress levels, and chronic stress can weaken the immune system. So if you want to keep yourself healthy this cold and flu season, get some cardio in!
Enhances Cognitive Function
Cardiovascular exercise is associated with physical fitness, but recent research has also shown that it can positively impact cognitive function. A growing body of evidence suggests that regular cardio can help to improve memory, attention, and executive functioning. One explanation for this link is that cardio helps to increase blood flow to the brain. This increased blood flow delivers more oxygen and nutrients to brain cells, promoting healthy brain function.
Additionally, cardio has increased the size of the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory. So if you’re looking for a way to boost your brainpower, get some cardio in!
The Benefits Of Weight Training
Now that you have learned some of the benefits of cardio let’s look at the benefits of weight training. Weight training, also called resistance training, is any exercise that uses weights or other resistance to build muscle, such as lifting dumbbells, using a weight machine, or doing bodyweight exercises like push-ups and sit-ups. And like cardio, there are plenty of good reasons to do weight training, including:
Improve Bone Health
Weight training is an excellent way to improve bone health. When bones are under stress, they adapt by becoming stronger. This process, known as bone remodeling, helps to prevent fractures and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercises, such as lifting weights, are especially beneficial for bone health. They help to stimulate new bone growth and prevent existing bone tissue from breaking down.
In addition, weight training can help increase muscle mass, protecting bones from injury. Furthermore, weight training can improve balance and coordination, which can help reduce the risk of falls. By incorporating weight training into their routine, people can enjoy numerous benefits for their bone health.
Burn Calories More Efficiently
Though often associated with bulking up, weight training can be a great way to help burn calories more efficiently. Unlike cardio exercises that only work the muscles used during the exercise, weightlifting forces the body to use multiple muscle groups to lift the weights. This not only results in more calorie expenditure during the workout but also causes an increase in post-exercise metabolism, meaning that the body continues to burn calories at an elevated rate even after the workout.
Furthermore, research has shown that resistance training can help to increase lean muscle mass, which in turn helps to boost basal metabolic rate and promote long-term fat loss. For all these reasons, weightlifting can be an effective tool for those looking to burn more calories and achieve their fitness goals.
Promotes Quality Sleep
Most people are aware of the apparent benefits of weight training. However, few people realize that weight training can also promote better sleep. When you lift weights, your body releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. In addition, increasing body temperature during a workout can help improve sleep quality. Studies have shown that people who engage in regular weight training are more likely to experience deep, restful sleep than those who don’t.
Moreover, weight training can help to combat conditions like insomnia and sleep apnea. So if you’re having trouble sleeping, consider adding some weight training to your routine. You might find that it makes all the difference.
How To Combine Cardio And Weight Training
For many people, working out improves their overall health and fitness. However, figuring out the best way to achieve this goal can be challenging. One approach is to combine cardio and weight training. Cardio exercises help to improve heart health and increase lung capacity, while weightlifting helps to build muscle mass and improve bone density. When these two types of exercise are combined, they can provide a well-rounded workout that offers a variety of benefits.
In addition to improving overall health, combining cardio and weight training can also help to prevent injuries. Cardio exercises help to warm up the muscles and prepare them for the more strenuous activity of weightlifting. As a result, workout routines that include cardio and weightlifting are less likely to lead to injuries.
Finally, combining these two types of exercise can also help to boost your overall energy level. Cardio exercises help to increase your heart rate and get your blood flowing, while weightlifting helps to build endurance and stamina. When these two activities are combined, you’ll have more energy to put towards your workout routine – and life in general.
Reap The Benefits Of Doing Cardio And Weight Training
Cardio and weight training offer a variety of benefits that can help improve your overall health. When these two types of exercise are combined, they provide an effective workout that can help you achieve your fitness goals. So if you want to improve your health, consider adding cardio and weightlifting to your routine. You might find that it makes all the difference. And if you are still unsure about how to get started, you can always consult with a personal trainer to create a workout plan that is tailored specifically for you.
