Cardio (or) AND Strength

I recently found a great quote from Younger Next Year, written by Chris Crowley and Dr. Henry S. Lodge:  "Cardio may save your life, but resistance training makes it worth living."  This means cardio is keeping our vital organs healthy, for example, heart, lungs, circulatory system, etc.  Resistance training keeps our limbs, muscles, and joints healthy.  Although these are less vital for survival than our heart and lungs, the health of our muscles and joints is essential to having a good quality of life.

Cardiovascular and resistance exercise do share some benefits, but also differ in the merits they provide.  I've compiled 5 of the many benefits of cardio and strength training.  Keep these in mind as you follow your workout program to appreciate the many ways you're improving your health and fitness.

Benefits of Cardiovascular Exercise:

• Improved hormonal profile: ease symptoms of depression and fatigue and release hormones that decrease appetite
• Increased metabolism: can lead to weight loss
• Improved heart health: decrease in blood pressure, decrease in bad (LDL and total cholesterol, increase in good (HDL) cholesterol
• Improved recovery ability
• Diabetes management: increased insulin sensitivity

Benefits of Resistance Training:

• Increased bone density: decreases the risk of osteoporosis
• Increased strength of connective tissue, muscles, and tendons: improved motor performance and decreased injury risk
• Increased muscle mass:  decreases risk of sarcopenia, increased metabolism at rest because muscle maintenance requires greater caloric expenditure
• Improved body mechanics: improved posture, balance, and coordination; reduces risk of falling
• Improved appearance: greater muscle definition, increased tone

Make sure to incorporate both cardio and strength into your workout program!