Search
Close this search box.

The age-old debate: cardio vs weights!

Cardio

Pros:

  1. Heart health: Cardio exercises, like running, cycling, or swimming, are excellent for improving cardiovascular health, increasing endurance, and reducing the risk of heart disease.
  2. Weight loss: Cardio exercises are great for burning calories and shedding pounds, especially when combined with a healthy diet.
  3. Improved lung function: Cardio exercises strengthen lungs and increase oxygen capacity.

Cons:

  1. Injury risk: High-impact cardio exercises can put excessive stress on joints, leading to injuries like shin splints or knee pain.
  2. Time-consuming: Cardio exercises often require a significant time commitment, especially to see noticeable results.
  3. Limited muscle engagement: Cardio exercises tend to focus on a specific muscle group, neglecting others.

Weights:

Pros:

  1. Muscle growth and strength: Resistance training with weights builds muscle mass, increases strength, and enhances overall muscle tone.
  2. Injury prevention: Strengthening muscles through weight training can help prevent injuries and improve joint stability.
  3. Metabolism boost: As muscle mass increases, so does metabolism, helping with weight management.

Cons:

  1. Technical complexity: Weightlifting requires proper form and technique to avoid injury, which can be intimidating for beginners.
  2. Equipment requirements: Weight training often requires access to specialized equipment or a gym membership.
  3. Progress plateau: Weightlifting progress can plateau if not varied or challenging enough.

Ultimately, the best choice between cardio and weights depends on your:

  1. Fitness goals: If you want to improve heart health or lose weight, cardio might be the way to go. For building strength and muscle, weights are the better choice.
  2. Personal preferences: Choose the type of exercise you enjoy most, as consistency is key to a successful fitness routine.
  3. Current fitness level: Beginners may want to start with cardio and progress to weights as they build strength and confidence.

Remember, a well-rounded fitness routine often incorporates both cardio and weights, as they complement each other and provide a comprehensive workout. What’s your take on the cardio vs weights debate?
REFERENCE 
Cardio
:

  1. Heart health: American Heart Association. (2017). Physical Activity and Health.
  2. Weight loss: National Academy of Sciences. (2002). Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids.
  3. Improved lung function: American Lung Association. (2020). Exercise and Lung Health.

Weights:

  1. Muscle growth and strength: American College of Sports Medicine. (2018). Resistance Training for Health and Fitness.
  2. Injury prevention: National Strength and Conditioning Association. (2017). Essentials of Personal Training.
  3. Metabolism boost: Harvard Health Publishing. (2019). The benefits of strength training.

Additional resources:

– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Physical Activity Basics.

– World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Physical Activity.

About the author
Asma Siddiqua

Asma Siddiqua

Asma Siddiqua is a Senior Consultant and Clinical Dietitian at ProGen Weight Management with over 5 years of experience in managing obesity and related co-morbidities. She specializes in reversing diabetes and helping clients achieve and maintain healthy body fat percentages. Asma is dedicated to providing personalized, evidence-based dietary guidance to support sustainable weight loss and improved overall health.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
2 Comments
  1. After study a few of the blog posts on your website now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Pls check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.

  2. Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your site, how could i subscribe for a weblog web site? The account aided me a appropriate deal. I were a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered brilliant clear concept

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    ×
    WhatsApp WhatsApp us

    Get A Free Consultation