Cardio and weight training for women.

Cardio and weight training for women.

How beneficial is each?

Cardio Endurance training is, and always will be important for keeping your Heart, Lungs, Arteries and all organs healthy. But too much of it without some resistance training can fatigue exterior muscles like legs and glutes. There should be a greater overall feeling of strength and greater energy levels when resistance exercises or strength training is included in an exercise programme.                                                                                                                                                Common myths regarding resistance/weight/strength  training:                                                                                                                                   “I shouldn’t do resistance/strength training. I prefer that lean toned look” or “I don’t want to look like a bodybuilder” or “If i stopped using weights the muscle would turn to fat”.                                                                  Women have up to 20 times less testosterone levels than men, so a lot more work is required to increase muscle size. If weight training is stopped, muscle loses strength and becomes flat and doesn’t turn to fat, and when resistance or weight training is reintroduced, the muscle will tone again and strengthen.

Summary                                                                                                                                                                                                   Including  resistance/strength training in an exercise programme will improve energy levels, create a more toned look, and because muscle is metabolically more active than fat, will improve one’s ability to burn calories.