It is well known that exercise is a key component for living a long and healthy life. However, not everyone has the same fitness goals, so different people require different kinds of exercise. This is when you need to consider the advantages and disadvantages of cardio and weight training. Although both are beneficial, there is a distinct difference between the two and it’s important to understand which exercise suits your fitness goals best. Whether you just started working out or you’ve been a gym shark your whole life, choosing between cardio and weight training can seem a little complicated at times.
Which Is Better For My Fitness Goals?
Difference Between Cardio & Weight Training
Before figuring out which type of exercise may be better for you, you must first understand the physical differences between the two. Cardio is an activity that makes the cardiovascular system function at a high rate. This could be anything from running to swimming, and it’s all about working your heart and circulatory system. Although people tend to forget, the heart is just a specialized muscle. We can work this muscle out by doing high-intensity cardio exercises.
On the other hand, weight training is an approach that requires you to put your muscles against a set level of resistance using weights. When engaging in strength training, small tears are formed in your muscle fibers. As a result, your brain starts a complex collection of processes that are designed to make your muscles bigger, stronger, and faster as the tears heal. Weight training is great for athletes who use strength or anyone who wants to grow muscle mass.
Now that we understand the difference between the two and their end goals, we should get into the pros and cons.
Pros & Cons Of Cardio
Pros
- Overall improved cardiovascular health.
- Decreased body weight.
- Increased athletic performance.
- No equipment needed.
Cons
- Muscle loss if trying to gain muscle mass.
- Possibility of overtraining and exhaustion.
- Possibility of joint or foot injury.
Pros & Cons Of Weight Training
Pros
- Increased strength.
- Great stress reliever.
- Reduced risk of injury.
- Increased metabolism.
Cons
- Requires precision and good form, high risk of injury without.
- Not good for burning calories.
- Needs a lot of equipment.
The Verdict
Ultimately, there is no clear winner when it comes to cardio vs. weight lifting. Each form of exercise is great for its own individual goals and lifestyles. However, maintaining a solid balance between both could be the best option for most people. Both cardio and weight training offer great health benefits when done consistently that can greatly improve your quality of life. At BioCure, we believe in helping people feel their best by keeping their bodies in the best shape possible. However, sometimes previous injuries can prevent people from running, lifting weights, or performing daily activities. If you have suffered injuries that are affecting your quality of life, we can provide you with regenerative treatment to help restore your body’s natural abilities.
