Hey everybody,
Things are getting exciting over here. I’ve been more productive in the last couple of days than I’ve been in months. In part, I owe this to the fastest goal achievement program on the planet, designed by my friend Dax Moy.
Recently, I’ve been getting a bunch of questions in regards to the “new” mentality that lifting weights is important. I understand completely that it used to be regarded that cardio was the only important thing. Let me explain a little bit…
Resistance training serves to improve:
- cardiac output – the amount of blood your heart can expel with each beat
- lung capacity – the amount of oxygen you can take in
- VO2 max – the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use with exercise (i.e. endurance)
- stress management (cardio also does this)
- fat loss results – this is a result of your muscle to fat ratio improving
- metabolism (same reason as above)
- strength (this part is obvious, but easily neglected – think about how much more energy you’ll have at the beginning and end of each day if everything is easier)
- ….and the list goes on and on
Cardio, on the other hand, can be an incredible way to:
- Improve lung function – repeated deep breathing leads to this
- Reduce resting heart rate – some people believe that a lower resting heart rate results in a longer life span
- Endurance – this is for steady-state cardio only (see Weight Loss Cardio for more info on this)
- Enhance fat loss (although this is not the sort of cardio you might be thinking about)
- Decrease joint pain through improved circulation and delivery of nutrients to your joints
- Prevent heart disease
- …and much more
As you can see, they each have their purpose… and each one is important. That’s why I, personally, am a huge advocate of choosing an appropriate fitness program that offers both sides. I am fully aware that there is a huge argument out there right now to get rid of cardio altogether, but the truth is that they are both important. Sure, if fat loss is your only goal, then I understand why you might only lift weights. If strength is your only goal, then I understand why you might only lift weights. However, you’d be better off doing both in both cases.
Have a great day,
Kareem
