Which workout is best for your goals?
There are many different types of training practices when it comes to fitness. We all know aerobics class, yoga, High intensity interval training, cardio training, resistance training, strength training, CrossFit. The list can go on and on.
They all have their die groupies if you will, but how do you determine which one is best for your goals? It will actually depend on what your goals are, along with any health concerns you could have. If you are looking to start any type of exercise routine first ask you Doctor before you begin any form of exercise.
If you have a goal of over all better endurance and looking to not be out of breath when walking up the stairs or playing with the kids. Cardio training will be the one you will want to try. Cardio training includes any type of running, jogging, aerobic training, and walking. If you are looking for better flexibility then any type of yoga practices will be a must for your fitness. Resistance training can also give you better flexibility with some strength. Resistance training can be done with resistance bands.
Now if you are looking for something really quick and packs a punch because you are hard press on time to get a workout in the High Intensity Interval Training will be what is for you. Do any move for a 80-100% effort for a 30-90 second time frame then rest for a certain amount of time. This type of anaerobic training types into energy reserves (fat stores) to help restore body to resting state. Not only during the workout will your body burn energy but your body will have the “after burn” affect due to the muscle break down the body will burn more calories restoring muscle fibers.
Strength training is really great for fat loss. You have different types of strength training to develop your fitness. This all depends on the amount of weight and reps. You can train for muscle endurance which reps would be high as 15, hypertrophy which looks like anything 8-12 reps, and strength is anything 4-8 reps and anything lower than that is for power. As you are lifting your heart rate will elevate. Compound movements (movements that work more than one muscle group at the same time) also help with packing a punch for a limited workout. Yet again the after burn with strength training happens due to the break down of muscle fibers and while your body is busy recovering you are still burning calories.
CrossFit takes all of this into consideration and really puts the definition in the name. You are fit cross all sports/training practices. They take long distance runs, swimming, power strength, olympic weightlifting, gymnastics, plyometric training all in one package. There is both strength training and a cardio workout that are programed in a workout of the day (WOD) for a CrossFit class. CrossFit classes are held at boxes across the country, boxes are the gym. Most of their sessions last 1 hour with a strength training workout and then a cardio workout to end it with. You can then compete in local, regional and national levels. There are competition that are in the individual form or teams.
All of these types of training the key is to progress and push your self to get better. If progression isn’t practiced then there will be plateaus in your training. Which is the main reason people fall off their exercise regimen. Increase your times of that walk or run, increase your reps in the timed interval, increase your weight in your lifts or increase the reps with the amount of weight you have. Progression is key for fitness no matter the practice.
Which type of training do you practice when it comes to exercise?
