Working Out 101: Cardio vs. resistance training

By Erin Mellinger, Fitness Together Fairlawn and Medina

There are many misconceptions about cardio and resistance training. One is the belief that cardio is good for weight loss while resistance training is good for toning.

In reality, both forms of training work well together for both weight loss and toning.

Cardiovascular training is anything that gets you out of breath by working your heart and lungs, like jogging, biking or taking an aerobics class.

Resistance training is moving your body against resistance provided by weights, bands or your own body weight, such as squats, push-ups or dumbbell curls.

To really see improvement in your cardio, you should do cardio-focused workouts where you push your pace or intensity to make gains. To really improve strength and build lean muscle mass, you should focus on slowing down and pushing your resistance.

Although only doing either cardio or resistance training is a good start, you should really include both in your exercise routine for optimal health. If you’re someone who only does cardio, start adding some resistance training into your routine. Try doing at least a squat, a pushing movement, a pulling movement and a core exercise to supplement your cardio workout.

Or, if resistance training is all you do, try doing 15-20 minutes of cardio after each workout. Both steady-state cardio or interval training would be a great way to improve your cardiovascular health.

Most importantly, please remember to be safe. None of us are born with the innate ability to do a proper squat or push-up. If you are beginning an exercise program for the first time, please be sure to seek guidance from a personal trainer or someone you know who can help you with proper form and resistance.

Fitness Together is located within the Medina Signature Square Shopping Center at 3725 Medina Road, Suite #106, in Medina. The Fairlawn location is at 2890 Sand Run Parkway, Suite B. Call 330-550-9839 for more information on either location. Visit FTResults.com to see testimonials from Fitness Together clients.