Eddy's Blog
Resistance Training (Weight Training) Vs Cardiovascular Exercise
Exercise is a wonderful way to enhance health, emotional and mental well-being, and to burn calories and add to the quality and quantity of life. Any form of exercise is positive, however if you want to know the most effective way to gain benefits from it, choosing the correct exercise is paramount. Many people choose to steer clear of resistance training, instead opting for pure cardio vascular activity (usually referred to as ‘cardio’) such as walking, running, using cross-trainers and other similar types of exercise. Whilst exercise is encouraged in any form, resistance training, usually referred to as weight training, has some substantial benefits above and beyond pure cardio vascular exercises. Here are some fundamental facts you may not be aware of:
- Resistance training is also classified as cardio vascular activity! Yes that’s right. Cardio vascular exercise works your heart and lungs and with resistance exercise, your heart rate elevates during ‘cardio’. Try taking your heart rate between sets and you’ll soon see what I mean.
- Pure cardio vascular activity burns both muscle and fat however resistance training burns more fat and stimulates increased muscle tone. Holding on to more muscle tone increases your metabolic rate and the rate at which you burn calories.
- Bulking up or becoming excessively muscular is almost impossible to do without the presence of elevated testosterone levels, so ladies do not fear getting too muscular as this is a myth and not easily achieved!
- Stronger muscles directly relate to stronger bones as the pushing and pulling often undertaken during resistance training enhances bone density via the connective tissue that joins muscle onto bone (tendons and ligaments).
- Overall, you will maintain a healthier muscle to fat ratio placing you in a better position, health wise and aesthetically.
As you know I am an advocate for all forms of exercise. Resistance training will give you the best ‘bang for buck’ both short term and long term, and no single form of pure cardio vascular activity has been scientifically proven to be more effective. In my next blog I will explain the most effective exercises you can perform with resistance, to cut your workout times in half.
Eddy Tannourji
Eddy Tannourji has been passionate about health and fitness since he was 15. With over 15 years of experience training the Victoria Police force and 8 years of running his own health and fitness facility, Eddy has coached hundreds of individuals, including many athletes, to help them reach their goals.
Currently, Eddy serves as the Managing Director of Next Generation Supplements. He also has an impressive competitive record in athletic physique competitions, with numerous state and national titles, as well as world rankings.
Drawing from his 30-year career, Eddy provides a wealth of knowledge on exercise, nutrition, and supplementation. His approach combines both anecdotal insights and scientific evidence, presented in a simple and easy-to-understand way.