Think of strength training and cardio as a classic duo like peanut butter and jelly. While they’re good individually, they’re even better together.
Pros of Cardio
Cardio exercise helps improve your body’s ability to deliver blood and oxygen to your muscles, strengthening your heart and lungs. This process builds up your endurance through training your muscles to better utilize oxygen. Regular cardio lowers blood pressure, body fat, regulates blood sugar levels and reduces inflammation.
In the long term, regular aerobic (cardio) exercise can also reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer. It can also improve your memory and protect the brain against age-related cognitive decline.
Pro tip: Aim for about 150 minutes of moderate cardio exercise per week. This can include brisk walking, swimming, jogging, cycling, dancing, or classes like zumba.
Pros of strength training
Strength training on the other hand helps you build muscles that support you in your everyday life, boosts your metabolism and improves the body’s ability to burn more fat in the long run. Strengthening your muscles makes you feel stronger, stimulates bone growth, assists with weight control, improves balance, posture and reduces pain in the lower back and joints.
Anxiety Reducing
In general, exercise is known for its many positive physical and mental effects. Although, combining movement with bodyweight training offers double the benefits of one of them riding solo. Also, incorporating something fun or performing an activity that requires syncing your breath with your movements can enhance the positive effects on your mental health.
