Cardio and strength training are both important for overall fitness and health, but what happens when you combine the two? In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of completing cardio while strength training, including improved cardiovascular health, increased calorie burn, and enhanced recovery.
Why is Cardio Important for Strength Training?
Cardio is important for strength training because it can improve cardiovascular health. Cardiovascular exercise, such as running, cycling, or swimming, can help to strengthen the heart and lungs, which can lead to better endurance and overall fitness. Additionally, cardio can help to improve blood flow, which can aid in recovery and reduce the risk of injury.
How Cardio Can Increase Calories Burnt
When it comes to weight loss, cardio can be an effective tool for burning calories. Cardio can increase the number of calories burned during a workout, which can lead to a greater overall calorie deficit and weight loss. When you combine cardio with strength training, you can burn even more calories and see faster results.
How Cardio Can Enhance Recovery
Cardio can also aid in recovery after strength training. When you perform cardio after a strength training workout, you increase blood flow to the muscles, which can help to flush out lactic acid and other metabolic waste products. This can help to reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery time.
How to Incorporate Cardio into a Strength Training Routine
There are a few ways to incorporate cardio into a strength training routine. Here are a few options:
- Complete a cardio warm-up before strength training. This can help to get your heart rate up and prepare your muscles for the workout.
- Perform cardio after a strength training workout. This can help to improve recovery and reduce muscle soreness.
In conclusion, cardio and strength training are both important for overall fitness and health, and combining the two can provide a host of benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, increased calorie burn, and enhanced recovery. Completing a cardio warm-up before strength training, or performing cardio after a strength training workout, you can effectively incorporate cardio into your strength training routine. Remember, a well-rounded fitness program should include a combination of cardio, strength training, and stretching. Cardio will not kill your gains unless you take it overboard and take yourself into an extreme calorie deficit due to high activity levels, 15 minutes here and there won’t hurt!
