Weight Training
Why Weight Training Is The Best Way To Get Fit
While cardio work gets the most attention when people talk about getting fit, there is an even better way, that ensures you not only get the fitness benefits that cardio provides but also builds strength while building and retaining muscle and burning fat.
Progressive resistance exercise such as weight training is considered by many experts to be the most efficient way to get and stay fit.
In this article we will look at how weight training builds strength and muscle while increasing cardio vascular fitness at least as effectively, and in most cases much more effectively, than conventional cardio work.
Why It Works
Weight training builds muscle far more effectively than cardio work. This is important for fitness as the more muscle the body has the more fat gets burned on an ongoing basis.
Rather than trying to burn off fat with endless cardio sessions and losing some muscle mass in the process, when you increase muscle mass you essentially burn more calories simply by having the muscle.
This is because it takes more calories to maintain normal muscle function because now there is more muscle. When you increase your muscle mass you increase your bodies need for calories even while you sleep.
In addition to increasing muscle mass, weight training makes you stronger. This strength can then be used to increase the intensity of your workouts.
This results in you getting much fitter, faster, because you are now able to work that much harder.
Intensity is the key to getting fit fast and as you build muscle and get stronger you will find your ability to work hard and recover more quickly between workouts increases naturally.
How It Works
Weight training when done correctly is an excellent way to increase cardio vascular fitness.
Most people think of long and slow cardio sessions as the main way to increase your cardio vascular fitness but in reality this low intensity long duration workout can have the reverse effect.
On the other hand, when you perform intense and relatively short duration strength training, the demand on your cardio vascular system forces improvements in fitness to occur.
And as you get stronger and are able to push yourself even harder, the demands on your cardio vascular system increase so you will get even fitter. Far more fit than taking hour long walks or 30 minute jogging sessions.
When performed correctly weight training is a safe and very effective way for anybody regardless of age to get fit.
If you have hit a plateau with your cardio workouts, or are simply bored with them and are looking for something different, consider making regular weight training sessions a part of your physical fitness routine.
