Kim I work in a gym. I watch as people come in from the desk. Some turn right—cardio side—and some turn left—weightlifting side. The same people come in every week. I know the cardio people, and I know the weightlifters. The cardio folks never lift weights, and the weightlifters never do cardio. Weightlifters wear shirts that say, “Cardio, you mean lifting weights faster?” Cardio people never even look at the weightlifters. To be fair, there are some crossovers, but not as many as there should be.
Why is there such a divide between they two types of exercise?
Because it’s human nature to get stuck going down a single path and forget about the health benefits of both, weightlifting and cardio.
Cardio
- Increase lung capacity
- Improve heart strength and efficiency
- Reduce your risk of many diseases
- Reduces anxiety, depression, and stress
- Better sleep
- Improves your sex life
- Confidence
Weightlifting
- Bone strength
- Reduce your risk of many diseases
- Boost metabolism
- Reduce inflammation
- Improve sleep and energy
- Improve strength of muscle, connective tissue, and tendons
- Improve posture and balance
- Confidence
Both forms of exercise are extremely important for a well-rounded fitness routine. We need the cardio side for heart and lung health, and the weightlifting side for muscle and bone building. Both help with maintaining a healthy weight. Both provide emotional benefits. If you are doing only cardio or only weightlifting, it may be time to add another aspect into your training.
