October 30, 2017 by Snupit
If you are new to the exercise scene, getting yourself to turn up at the gym is hard enough without the overwhelming sensation of needing to figure out exactly what you should be doing at the gym. Furthermore, some of the equipment is very intimidating, and seeing how the other members do it might not be enough to encourage a first-timer into doing it. One ongoing debate between fitness freaks is the cardio versus weight argument. So, rather than telling you what you should be doing, we will talk about what they each offer, empowering you to make the decision yourself.
I need to lose weight
While cardio burns a lot of calories while you are exercising, it is still worth looking at the weight loss benefits of weight training too, even for women. Weight training increases muscle tone, and contrary to the popular belief, lifting weights will not instantly pack on muscle. It takes years, and very heavy weights to put on lots of mass. Lifting weights will increase your strength long before it shows as muscle. By lifting weights you are essentially straining them, breaking them down. The body then tries to rebuild the muscle that you have broken down during training, and it rebuilds the muscles to be stronger than before. This requires more food, which means that by weight training you are supercharging your metabolism in the long run, not only during your workout.
I need to get fit
Fitness refers to the body's ability to supply blood and oxygen to all the muscles and organs of the body, under strain. As your heart gets stronger, it takes less strain when you exercise, meaning you are less out of breath and capable of higher performance levels. For better fitness levels in stamina, work on your cardio. While sprinting your heart out on the treadmill is great, the body is able to start adapting to the exercise after around 10 minutes of exertion. You can actually feel the exercise becoming less strenuous around the 10 or 11 minute mark. Instead, try interval training. Interval training means changing the intensity of your exercise strategically. You can work on 2 or 3 minute intervals of pushing your heart rate to 160 beats per minute, and then for 5 minutes, allow your heart rate to go right down to around 90 beats per minute. Repeat this for supercharged fitness levels.
I need to get strong
Strength is built with resistance training. If you truly want to build functional muscle that is strong, your journey will be much harder than that of those who simply wish to pack on a few lean pounds. Stick to free weights rather than machines, because although the exercise is the same, free weight training engages your core muscles more than machines do. Build core strength to facilitate the growing process of every other muscle in the body.
f you are serious about reaching new goals and untapping the hidden potential in your body, find a gym in your area that will help you to grow into the best version of yourself possible. Use Snupit’s online directory to locate the best personal training facilities, gyms, fitness clubs or sports clubs near you!