Cardio vs. Strength Training?

How many of you believe that your yoga class doesn’t burn as many calories as your bike ride?

Contrary to a long-held belief, strength training is—as new studies have shown—superior to steady-state cardio in caloric burn. Although going for a bike ride or jog does burn major calories, a recent study from the University of Southern Maine shows that weight training may offer more bang for your buck in the calorie-burning department than cardio.

Participants in the study burned as many calories doing 30 minutes of weight training (it doesn’t mention what types of exercises or the equipment used) as they did going for a 30-minute run at a lightning fast six-minute-per-mile pace. Since running at that speed for that long is better left for those training for winning marathons, it seems that if you’re looking to burn calories, strength training is your best bet.

Aside from burning calories, weight training also makes you stronger and gives your muscles that chiseled look you’re after. As if that wasn’t enough, strength training also boosts your metabolism, with some exercise physiologists estimating that the body continues to burn calories for up to 36 hours after your workout.

You’re wondering about the yoga connection? Let me just add that yoga uses your own body weight, and according to Nicholas DiNubile, MD, author of FrameWork: Your 7-Step Program for Healthy Muscles, Bones, and Joints. “Yoga can be just as effective as weights when it comes to developing a stronger, more impressive physique …”

Think yoga is way too passive to give your body the boost it’s been looking for? Here’s why yoga moves just may help your muscles reach your fitness goals even faster!

It’s convenient and cheaper

It helps to prevent injuries

It can improve your next workout

It teaches muscles to work properly

It gives muscles more stamina