gym diet

2022 is in full swing, and some of us haven’t made much progress on our new year’s resolutions. It can be challenging to come up with a gym diet that you know you can commit to. The key to creating a great diet plan is defining your goals, choosing healthy foods you love, and finding a support network of specialists.

After that, it all comes down to personal commitment and accountability. If you make a plan that’s right for you and commit to it, nothing can stop you. For a guide on formulating the best gym diet for your workout needs, keep reading.

1. Know Your Goals

The first step in designing your optimal gym diet is knowing your goals. You can’t make a gym diet plan if you don’t have a clear direction.

Whether you’re bulking or cutting as part of an athletic routine or looking to make a lifestyle change, your goals will make a difference.

Bulking and Cutting

If you’re bulking, you want to prioritize carbs and protein. Most people use this as an excuse to open up their diets and eat whatever they want. Some people who bulk are a bit laxer when it comes to fast food, while others have a more semi-clean diet.

Your plan will depend on what works for your body and your goals. You’ll find various people who either open up their diets or only eat clean. Some have a hard time bulking because of high metabolism rates.

On the other hand, cutting involves introducing certain food restrictions. Through this process, you’ll work on transforming your bulk into muscle mass. This cycle can be difficult to stick to for most people but is par for the course for most athletes.

Lifestyle Changes

If you’re only looking for a lifestyle change, you can be more moderate about your diets. Start by reducing your sugar intake. Then, work on balancing your ratios of fats, carbs, and proteins.

Staying hydrated and choosing healthier options will be crucial to your success. Home-cooked meals will be your friend as long as you make a conscious effort to cook healthier. A balanced diet with plenty of leafy greens and lean protein will go a long way.

Regardless of how deep into fitness you are, a good tip is to avoid drinking your calories.

2. Plan Your Macros

Macros is a shorter term for macronutrients. This refers to three nutrients you get from your daily meals: fats, protein, and carbohydrates. Regardless of how intense your fitness goals are, you need to plan ahead for your workout diet.

One of the main reasons people don’t see results with their diets is that they forget to consider their nutritional intake. Many implement harsh food restrictions, which end up doing more harm than good.

Knowing where you’re going to get your nutritional intake from in advance will help you. It’s much easier to stick to a diet and cook around it when you have the ingredients laid out in advance. For your protein source, consider lean meats like fish and chicken.

If you’re vegan, soy and legumes are good alternative sources of protein. You might still need to look into workout supplements or additional vitamins. For fats, avoid heavy dairy.

Instead, opt for nuts and healthy oils like avocado. Some people even go with nut-based milk like almond or cashew. Carbs can be tricky as it’s important to keep them clean. Rice is a good go-to, and oats are another favorite.

Limit your intake of bread or pasta, especially if you have high goals. When you plan your diet and macros this way, you get to pick what you want to eat. It’s crucial to remember that eating healthy doesn’t mean saying goodbye to your favorite foods.

The ideal diet plan should be healthy, but also one that you like. If you’re too restrictive and only cook things you don’t like, you’ll have difficulty making progress.

3. Work with Specialists

Everyone is different, and we all have unique medical and nutritional needs. It can be hard to know what these are or which ones are most effective without trial and error. Working with specialists is more effective and can help you pinpoint more efficient strategies that work for you.

Specialists can give you a proper breakdown of the different types of diet plans. You may already be familiar with popular diets like keto or intermittent fasting. However, without proper research and consultation, going all-in could prove dangerous or counterproductive.

You want to adhere to proper workout nutrition based on your body. A nutrition expert can help you keep track and develop the right plan for your needs. They can also help you make subtle tweaks and provide you with more confidence.

You might like the thought of embarking on this challenge alone, but it can be hard. A good support system of experts who know what they’re doing will make a big difference.

4. Honest Accountability is Key

At the end of the day, it’s all on you. Your family can support you, or specialists can make recommendations, but it comes down to your determination. You need to be honest with yourself, what you want, and what you can achieve.

It’s also important to realize that slip-ups are ok. What matters is you get back on the horse. If you mistime your fast or cave by eating a donut, don’t use that as an excuse to binge or reset your whole diet.

If anything, use these small failures as motivation to work harder. Remember, it’s all a part of your journey. As long as you progress towards your final goal, that’s all that matters.

Planning the Right Gym Diet

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to gym diets, but there are a few guiding principles to help you get on the right track. You want to start by having a clear set of fitness goals.

Having a gym and team of trainers you can trust also goes a long way. At VIM Fitness, we excel at helping you reach your health and fitness goals, so reach out to us today.

pilates classes

Studies show that 60% of people in the United States want to feel healthier. For many people, this may include losing weight and eating healthier. For others, it may be getting toned and building muscle. One way to help you reach these goals is by taking Pilates classes! These low-impact exercises can help you strengthen your muscles, improve your flexibility, and more.

Do you want to learn more about the benefits of adding a Pilates class to your workout regimen? Keep reading these top eight benefits of taking regular Pilates classes!

1. Builds Muscle

One of the primary benefits of adding Pilates to your workout regimen is that it helps you build muscle. Pilates classes can help you tone up your muscles, especially those in your core.

Pilates focuses on improving your strength through muscle balance. It uses your own body weight for resistance and targets both small and large muscle groups.

If you are looking for an exercise class to increase your muscle without creating bulk, Pilates is a great choice! These classes help you strengthen your deep core muscles, making your abdominal area look toned, without adding too much muscle.

2. Increases Flexibility

Next, Pilates can help you increase your flexibility and mobility. Because you are using an increased range of motion throughout your Pilates classes, you will find that you are able to stretch out more easily.

During your Pilates classes, you stretch your muscles and hold them in the end position. This means that you can increase your range of motion as you exercise.

Pilates also focuses on lengthening and expanding the muscles. The idea is that this allows your muscles to become longer, leaner, and look more toned.

3. Prevents Injuries

Not only do Pilates classes help you improve your strength and appearance, but they can also help you prevent injuries and even recover from injuries. As was mentioned before, Pilates can help you improve your flexibility and mobility.

Because your muscles are able to move more easily, it reduces the chance of your injuring them as you workout.

For example, many people do Pilates to ease their back pain and to prevent future back injuries This is because Pilates classes strengthen your core, which improves your posture and strengthens the muscles around your spine.

4. Workouts for the Entire Body

Pilates is especially known to help you improve your posture and your core strength. As you continue to take your Pilates classes, you will notice more definition in your stomach as your core muscles strengthen.

This is because many movements that you do in Pilates require you to hold your torso in one spot while the rest of your body moves.

This core stability is essential for your posture and helps you maintain the proper alignment in your spine and shoulders.

5. Increases Stamina

If you are looking for ways to increase your stamina, taking a Pilates class can help! During a Pilates class, your instructor will have you focus on your breathing. This helps you learn how to utilize your lungs through each movement, making it easy to use your entire diaphragm.

This way, you can increase your stamina and learn how to challenge your body.

Plus, Pilates classes help you build muscle strength. With more muscle, you will be able to work out for longer!

6. Minimal Equipment

Something that makes Pilates a great option for many people is that it requires minimal equipment. You can even take virtual Pilates classes without having to go to a gym or an exercise class.

Many pilates exercises simply require your own body weight. As you improve, you may want to add additional weights or resistance bands to your workout.

Other types of equipment you can use for Pilates includes a balance ball, a mat, and even a foam roller. If you don’t want to purchase any equipment, you can take a Pilates class at a gym to have access to all of this equipment and more.

7. Improves Mental Health

Similar to any type of exercise, Pilates classes can help you improve your mental health. In Pilates, there is a great focus on breathing throughout your exercises. This can help you deepen your stretching, but it can also lessen your stress and reduce your blood pressure.

This deep breathing can even encourage better blood flow and can help you sleep better at night.

Because of this, Pilates is a great type of exercise to improve your mood and mental health. Plus, as with any exercise, Pilates releases endorphins in your body after your workout, making it easier to be happy.

8. Good for Any Level

Finally, Pilates is a great exercise for any level. Whether you are someone that regularly exercises or not, you can find a Pilates class that fits your needs, regardless of your age or levels of fitness.

Even those with health concerns, like injuries, can do Pilates because it is a low-impact form of exercise.

As you improve your skills, you can increase the difficulty of your Pilates routine. You can exercise with your own body weight, with additional weights, and with other pieces of equipment!

Looking for Beginner Pilates Classes?

Adding pilates classes to your workout routine provides many great benefits for your health. Not only does it help strengthen and tone your entire body, but it will increase your stamina and help you recover from injuries.

If you are searching for a “beginners Pilates class near me,” VIM Fitness can help! We provide a total wellness and fitness center that includes gym facilities, yoga, pilates, group classes, and more.

Contact us today to learn more about our Pilates class cost and to book your classes!

pilates classes

Studies show that 60% of people in the United States want to feel healthier. For many people, this may include losing weight and eating healthier. For others, it may be getting toned and building muscle. 

One way to help you reach these goals is by taking Pilates classes! These low-impact exercises can help you strengthen your muscles, improve your flexibility, and more. 

Do you want to learn more about the benefits of adding a Pilates class to your workout regimen? Keep reading these top eight benefits of taking regular Pilates classes!

1. Builds Muscle

One of the primary benefits of adding Pilates to your workout regimen is that it helps you build muscle. Pilates classes can help you tone up your muscles, especially those in your core. 

Pilates focuses on improving your strength through muscle balance. It uses your own body weight for resistance and targets both small and large muscle groups. 

If you are looking for an exercise class to increase your muscle without creating bulk, Pilates is a great choice! These classes help you strengthen your deep core muscles, making your abdominal area look toned, without adding too much muscle. 

2. Increases Flexibility

Next, Pilates can help you increase your flexibility and mobility. Because you are using an increased range of motion throughout your Pilates classes, you will find that you are able to stretch out more easily. 

During your Pilates classes, you stretch your muscles and hold them in the end position. This means that you can increase your range of motion as you exercise. 

Pilates also focuses on lengthening and expanding the muscles. The idea is that this allows your muscles to become longer, leaner, and look more toned. 

3. Prevents Injuries

Not only do Pilates classes help you improve your strength and appearance, but they can also help you prevent injuries and even recover from injuries. As was mentioned before, Pilates can help you improve your flexibility and mobility. 

Because your muscles are able to move more easily, it reduces the chance of your injuring them as you workout. 

For example, many people do Pilates to ease their back pain and to prevent future back injuries This is because Pilates classes strengthen your core, which improves your posture and strengthens the muscles around your spine. 

4. Workouts for the Entire Body

Pilates is especially known to help you improve your posture and your core strength. As you continue to take your Pilates classes, you will notice more definition in your stomach as your core muscles strengthen.

This is because many movements that you do in Pilates require you to hold your torso in one spot while the rest of your body moves. 

This core stability is essential for your posture and helps you maintain the proper alignment in your spine and shoulders. 

5. Increases Stamina

If you are looking for ways to increase your stamina, taking a Pilates class can help! During a Pilates class, your instructor will have you focus on your breathing. This helps you learn how to utilize your lungs through each movement, making it easy to use your entire diaphragm. 

This way, you can increase your stamina and learn how to challenge your body. 

Plus, Pilates classes help you build muscle strength. With more muscle, you will be able to work out for longer!

6. Minimal Equipment

Something that makes Pilates a great option for many people is that it requires minimal equipment. You can even take virtual Pilates classes without having to go to a gym or an exercise class. 

Many pilates exercises simply require your own body weight. As you improve, you may want to add additional weights or resistance bands to your workout. 

Other types of equipment you can use for Pilates includes a balance ball, a mat, and even a foam roller. If you don’t want to purchase any equipment, you can take a Pilates class at a gym to have access to all of this equipment and more. 

7. Improves Mental Health

Similar to any type of exercise, Pilates classes can help you improve your mental health. In Pilates, there is a great focus on breathing throughout your exercises. This can help you deepen your stretching, but it can also lessen your stress and reduce your blood pressure. 

This deep breathing can even encourage better blood flow and can help you sleep better at night. 

Because of this, Pilates is a great type of exercise to improve your mood and mental health. Plus, as with any exercise, Pilates releases endorphins in your body after your workout, making it easier to be happy. 

8. Good for Any Level

Finally, Pilates is a great exercise for any level. Whether you are someone that regularly exercises or not, you can find a Pilates class that fits your needs, regardless of your age or levels of fitness. 

Even those with health concerns, like injuries, can do Pilates because it is a low-impact form of exercise. 

As you improve your skills, you can increase the difficulty of your Pilates routine. You can exercise with your own body weight, with additional weights, and with other pieces of equipment!

Looking for Beginner Pilates Classes? 

Adding pilates classes to your workout routine provides many great benefits for your health. Not only does it help strengthen and tone your entire body, but it will increase your stamina and help you recover from injuries. 

If you are searching for a “beginners Pilates class near me,” VIM Fitness can help! We provide a total wellness and fitness center that includes gym facilities, yoga, pilates, group classes, and more. 

Contact us today to learn more about our Pilates class cost and to book your classes!

evolt 360 12 week challenge
February Promos
goal setting tips

Are you looking for a way to ensure that you hit your goals this year? Do you feel that you need help with goal setting strategies that really work? If so, then you need to start by learning all that you can about the goal setting process with goal setting tips that you can apply right away.

Setting goals just for the sake of setting them won’t do any good. It requires action to turn them into a reality! It’s all about setting yourself up for success by providing actionable steps.

See below for an in-depth guide listing several goal-setting tips. These will help you envision yourself obtaining your goals and battling through adversity.

1. Establish a Vision

Many people have tried to get inside the mind of Michael Jordan. One of the best basketball players of all time, MJ accomplished goals at an alarming rate. The moment was never too big for him.

But what makes him the most special player of all was his mindset. The way he established big and small goes are the stuff of legends. He always stressed the importance of practicing like you want to play and envisioning himself making the free throw with the game on the line.

…Did you catch that last part? Envisioning himself making the free throw with the game on the line.

He saw himself coming up in the clutch long before it ever happened. That’s the kind of goal-setting vision we all need to instill in ourselves. If we can see ourselves accomplishing the goal, it can give us the confidence and inspiration to work towards the goal in the first place!

Most of us never take the time to envision ourselves losing 30 pounds or getting that job that we’ve always wanted. We just sit in the prison of our hopelessness.

No longer! Find some time today to sit in solitude and envision the goals you want to accomplish. What does that look like? What will it take to get there? What will it feel like when you finally get under 200 pounds again? These are the question you need to ask yourself!

2. Organize Those Goals Effectively

Think back to the big projects you’ve completed in your lifetime. What made those projects more realistic than the ones you didn’t accomplish? We’re willing to be that it had something to do with your organization.

The success rate of you accomplishing your goals starts at the very beginning, in the organization stage. This is what helps you create concrete parameters for your goals; it ensures that you’re on the right track.

First, start by using the SMART goals method. For those of you unfamiliar, “SMART” stands for:

  • Specific: Define your goals; lower them down to a niche meaning/
  • Measurable: Set small goals that can help you gauge your progress towards your end goal /
  • Achievable: Find the balance between a goal that’s challenging, but entirely possible/
  • Realistic: Is this goal realistic? Do you have the ability to accomplish it?
  • Time-Based: Create deadlines. This creates urgency and ensures you remain consistent.

One last note, be sure to write down these goals. Studies show that you’re 42-percent more likely to achieve your goals when you write them down.

3. Create Accountability

Every person, regardless of the goal, goes through the same ebbs and flows. At first, you’re riding a high; you’ve got all the inspiration you need (and then some) to work towards the goals you’ve set.

However, the path to any worthwhile goal involves many setbacks and hurdles. You’re too tired to work out, you’re feeling defeated because you aren’t seeing the results you’d hoped for, etc.

It’s in those moments that your inspiration (power from within) is at its lowest. That’s when you need motivation (power from external sources) to encourage you and pick you up off your feet!

Make sure that you give yourself accountability towards your long-term goals. You don’t have to go this alone! Accountability takes many forms, such as small group training, hiring trainers, finding mentorship, or teaming up with others working towards the same goal.

4. Gear Towards Change

If there’s one thing that humans don’t like, it’s change. Change pushes us in directions that we don’t want to go; it’s notorious for making us feel uncomfortable.

However, as the old saying goes, “If you want results you’ve never had, then you have to do something you’ve never done.” Wiser words have never been spoken.

Don’t avoid change, embrace it. When you’re setting your goals, look for ways to switch them up from the methods you’ve tried before. When you’re working towards your goals, do something each day that makes you feel uncomfortable. It will expand your horizons!

5. Take Action

You’ve done all the preparation you need. You’ve envisioned what it’s like to accomplish this goal, but your imagination isn’t going to get you to where you want to go.

Just like Arnold H. Glasow once said, “An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied.” It’s time to act, people!

Start by taking little actions each day. In fact, give yourself 5 tiny actions to knock out each day towards your goals. When done over 30 days, that’s 150 small goals you’ve accomplished. Over 365 days, that’s 1,825 small goals you’ve finished! You’ll surpass your long-term goal with ease.

Use These Goal Setting Tips for Your Personal and Professional Lives

Now that you have seen an in-depth guide with goal setting tips that will help you succeed, be sure to use them to your advantage.

Take the time to read this article for more information on our January Promos that can help you accomplish all your 2022 fitness goals. to get started, take a look at our available classes to help you reach new heights this year.

pilates vs yoga

For more than half of the population, feeling healthier is one of their main goals and things they feel would make their lives better. They want to be able to move freely and do the things they want to do without pain or exhaustion. 

A key to being able to meet that goal is exercising and moving the body every day. But many aren’t ready to jump into hardcore weight lifting or cardio options. This is where low-impact options like pilates or yoga are great choices. The two get confused and pilates vs yoga is a common question with a lot of people thinking they’re the same thing. 

The two exercise styles are actually quite different and will each have their own set of benefits. We’ve broken it all down for you so you can choose which would be best for you and your body. 

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a type of exercise that dates back to the 1920s. It’s since continued to grow in popularity and even has entire studios dedicated to this single movement type. This is largely due to the fact that it can be done by a wide range of people with very minimal risk compared to other exercise options.

A typical Pilates class will consist of a series of repetitive motions to try to improve strength and flexibility. A core tenant of the practice is combining those two elements. 

In some cases, a pilates class can involve specific equipment called a pilates reformer (or other options) which intensifies the movements and difficulty level. But it can also be done with simple resistance bands or bodyweight for similar results. 

The main goal of the Pilates workouts is to strengthen the connection between body and mind while developing key muscles for overall health. 

What are the Benefits of Pilates?

For a lot of people, one of the harder parts about getting into exercise is dealing with weak joints. The heavy impact classes can cause more damage than do good in the long run. 

Pilates is completely low impact and won’t cause those same problems for those who practice it. In fact, a lot of pilates workouts are designed to target those areas for more strength and stability. Those who are consistently doing these exercises will see an improvement in posture, core strength, and stability. 

At the same time, they’ll likely see an improvement in their flexibility as well. A lot of the exercises include an element of stretching which gives that double punch. 

Those who are practicing pilates will feel like they had a hardcore workout because they’ll be building lean muscle. But also like they had a great meditation session with a lot of stress relief at the same time. 

What is Yoga?

Yoga has a much longer history and has essentially always been around in one form or another. People have been seeing the benefits of this ancient practice for thousands of years. 

In essence, yoga is a slow, concentrated method of stretching while working on your mental strength and clarity as well. 

Someone who is practicing yoga will move through a series of poses, pausing to hold each one. The movement is fluid and often done to relaxing instrumental music in the background. Each class has a goal of getting a little deeper stretch into the pose and stronger in your ability to hold them. 

Meditation and relaxation are crucial elements to the experience as well. One of the main goals is to reduce stress and anxiety through breathing exercises and other calming techniques. 

What are the Benefits of Yoga?

One of the most obvious benefits (and the main reason people are so drawn to this option), it the reduction of stress you can find after a class. There are so many tools you can learn in a yoga class that can be used outside in real-life hard situations. 

But yoga is more than a time to relax and unwind. When practiced correctly, it can also burn a lot of calories, build muscles, and improve flexibility like other types of exercise options. The trick is finding the right type of yoga practice to meet your specific needs and goals. 

Yoga can be much less intimidating for those first getting into moving their body on a regular basis. And it’s easy to follow along with a class, modifying to your ability level along the way. 

Which is Right for Me? 

While one can see the similarities between these two exercise options, the difference between yoga and pilates is also clear. They have different methods and even different desired outcomes for those participating. 

When choosing which class you’d like to go to, it’s helpful to evaluate what you’re really looking for in your exercise experience. 

Once you know that answer, you can look at these options and decide which will better help you get there. If you’re looking to have a calm experience where you can get centered and focused while having a good workout, yoga is likely the better choice. And if you’re looking more for the muscle building and toning option while still protecting your joints, Pilates is for you!

Both will help you experience a happier, healthier life when done on a regular basis, there’s really no wrong choice here! 

Pilates Vs Yoga

The good news is, in the pilates vs yoga debate there is no loser. Both options can bring you closer to your health goals and improve your flexibility, strength, and overall wellness. 

After you’ve made your decision, the key is to be as consistent as you can as that’s where you’ll see the biggest changes. That’s made a lot easier when you love the place you exercise at. You want to feel supported by the instructors and like you have people on your side to help you along the path. 

If you’re in need of this kind of wellness experience, contact us today to hear more about our class options and how to get started! 

When it comes to fitness, a good balance is key. Too much or too little cardio can limit your fitness goals. Learn how to balance well here.

An estimated 45 million Americans go on a diet each year. Many of these Americans don’t get their desired results from diets because they aren’t paired with a fitness regimen. Everyone is striving for a perfect weight loss journey.

Learning to implement balance into your fitness journey can help improve your results. Keep reading to learn more about how integrating a cardio workout into your routine can improve your overall health.

What Is Cardio?

Cardio workouts are not isolated to spin classes and jogging. Cardio is defined as any workout that raises your heart rate and breathing rate for an extended period of time.

By challenging your cardiovascular system you can clear out carbon dioxide and waste from your system. As your heart is exercised it gets stronger and can reduce the resting stress on your heart.

Cardio fitness programs offer a wide variety of workouts from swimming and running to  HIIT workouts and dance classes. Cardio training can be done at a low to moderate intensity as long as it challenges your heart and lungs.

Cardio Exercises

Any exercises that challenge your cardiovascular system fall into this category of “cardio exercises”. Here are some common cardio fitness workouts to integrate into your workout schedule.

HIIT Workouts

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts routinely alternate between intense bursts of activity and intentional rest periods. Their short-term rest paired with high bursts challenges the body. HIIT workouts are known to help people lose weight efficiently. This is part of the growing popularity of the workout.

HIIT workouts typically only take about 30 minutes. Research has been put into developing these workout plans making them efficient as possible. HIIT workout stimulates the production of human growth hormone which can increase your metabolism and cause you to keep burning fat up to 24 hours after your workout.

Elliptical

The benefit of working on an elliptical as opposed to the outside is that it’s much easier on your joints. The fluid motions and repetition can keep fragile joints working like a well-oiled machine.

In order to receive the maximum cardio benefits on an elliptical machine, it’s best to work out for at least 15 minutes. Typically most people will work out for up to an hour to continue burning calories.

Running

Running and jogging are some of the most popular forms of physical activity. Running is appealing because it doesn’t cost a lot and you can fit it in at nearly any time of the day.

Running is able to help you develop strong bones because it is a weight-bearing exercise. Not only does it help you improve your breathing patterns and cardiovascular fitness but it allows you to strengthen your muscles.

If you’re just starting running it’s recommended that you start at a slower pace or lower intensity in order to protect your joints. Running on a treadmill is an alternative to help make sure that you are taking care of your body as it acclimates to high-intensity workouts.

Swimming

Anyone who is looking to swim as a means of fitness should swim for at least 20-30 minutes at a time. Swimming is a great workout for people of all ages because it helps you maintain your mobility and range of motion. This means that you were actively swimming during this time, not just in the pool.

Swimming is a great cardiovascular exercise and it helps you build a lot of upper body strength and leg muscle. Although swimming is a great workout, it is not a weight-bearing one. Water supports up to 90% of the body’s weight so you can easily glide through the water.

Biking

Cycling is a great low-impact workout for your body. By working up to a rigorous cadence on the bike you can elevate your heart rate without putting too much tension on your knees. If you look to cycling as your primary form of cardio, it is recommended to ride for 30-60 minute increments 3-5 days a week.

Stationary bikes are going to help you control your resistance and build a more structured workout. Alternatively, outdoor cycling will help your body by giving you a mix of sprints and hill climbs.

Benefits of Prioritizing Fitness

Running and other cardio-intensive workouts trigger a release of dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin. These neurotransmitters help to reduce anxiety, improve self-esteem and improve overall cognitive functions. Integrating exercise into your routine can help improve your energy levels, mental focus, and overall mood.

Cardio is one of the easiest ways to take control of your health. Over time cardio can strengthen your heart and lower your resting heart rate and blood pressure. Exercise also reduces your risk of developing major health conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes, cancer, and stroke.

Different Tracks for Cardio

Regularly doing cardio workouts can help you increase your fitness and reduce your health risks. Your preferred workout structure can vary based on your workout goals.

Training for Endurance

Endurance is the ability to withstand hardship or sustain a prolonged workout. Over time, doing cardio can help you build up your tolerance.  Endurance keeps your heart, lunch, and circulatory system healthy.

The best exercises to build your endurance are ones you can do for a prolonged time period. Walking, swimming and Pilates can help you build up your endurance.

Balance Fitness With Well-Managed Diets

If you are working out to achieve your desired body, it matters what you eat as well as how you work out. Simply doing cardio workouts will not cause you to lose weight, you need to pair your workouts with mindful eating.

Focusing too heavily on caloric deficit can be unhealthy. When deciding what to eat, it’s beneficial to look at food as fuel, certain foods are going to be higher quality fuel for your body.

Prioritize Your Health: Add Cardio to Your Routine

Workout training plans and diets should not be universally adopted. Everyone has a different body type and will have different results from diets and fitness plans. Weight loss is attainable to achieve your ideal body, however, you may need a more personalized plan.

When it comes to fitness, maintaining a healthy balance is ideal. Too much or too little cardio can stunt your progress and keep you from meeting your fitness goals. Connect with us to learn how to balance your fitness plans to achieve your health goals.

All workouts are the same, right? Wrong! Learn the difference between a cardio workout and strength training here to find that balance.

Did you know that worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975? In 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults, aged 18 years and older, were overweight. Of these, over 650 million were considered to be obese. This amounts to a whopping 39% of adults being overweight in the world.

These figures prove how valuable working out is and show how many people should start on a fitness journey. In order to make the most of your workouts, some planning should be done beforehand.

Are you not sure whether a cardio or strength workout is better for you and which one you should be doing? Well, keep reading below to learn the difference between a cardio and strength workout, to find that much-needed balance!

What Is Strength Training?

Strength training or weight training is an anaerobic activity that includes lifting free weights such as bench presses, dumbbells, and kettlebells. Strength training is done to gain size on your muscles or for muscle endurance and is great for your health. So, how much strength training do I need? The answer is it’s totally up to you and all depends on the results that you’re after.

Generally, powerlifters, bodybuilders, and sportsmen do this kind of training to improve muscle mass and create overall strength. It can also be used to improve muscle endurance and lose fat. The advantage of strength training is it creates a metabolic spike that means you burn calories even after training.

What Is Cardio Training?

Cardio training is short for cardiovascular training. So, how much cardio do I need?

It is an aerobic activity, which means it uses oxygen to increase your breathing and heart rate. Activities such as running, cycling, and swimming are all cardio workouts but anything that increases your heart rate and makes you breathe hard can be considered cardio. The answer? Cardio really should be determined by the results you’re after and your own personal capabilities.

Long-distance runners, swimmers, and triathletes will use this type of training to be able to run and swim over long distances and build the muscle endurance required to do so. Cardio training does burn calories but not at a fast rate at which strength training burns them.

Faster heart rates are great for weight loss.

Benefits of Strength Training

With strength training, it’s not simply just about lifting heavy weights day in and out. There are endless possibilities to mix and match your workout and keep your muscles guessing what is next. Often people can hit a plateau with strength training but the ability to mix it up makes it very popular with all types of athletes.

In short, there is no way better way to create muscle mass and definition in your muscles than by strength training. Weight training breaks down the muscle fibers in your muscles and creates a natural response in your body to repair these muscle fibers. By putting the correct food in your diet, for example, protein, will replenish these muscle fibers and build muscle at the same time.

The other major benefit of weight training is that even after your workout is done, you will continue to burn calories and improve your metabolism. Strength training is the fastest way to burn fat and replace that fat with muscle.

Along with the weight loss benefits, weight training aids in preventing injury. Lifting weights increases your bone density which affects the strength of your bones. Stronger muscles increase the fiber content in the muscle and the higher muscle mass helps support your joints, reducing the risk of knee and shoulder injuries.

Benefits of Cardio Training

Cardio like any other workout has its own benefits and plays a vital role in athletes and for people seeking to lose weight. Cardio builds up your muscle endurance and the way air is transported to your muscles. If you don’t do the right amount of cardio, you will find yourself short of breath all the time and you won’t be able to keep performing at a high rate.

Doing cardio does burn a significant amount of calories, although at a slower rate than strength training. Cardio does, however, improve heart and lung function to more efficiently move oxygen through your body.

You don’t burn calories as fast with cardio training, but because you are able to work out longer, the number of calories you burn at the end will be higher than if you are strength training.

Which Is Better For You?

It’s hard to separate the two and both have different pros and cons but the decision will come down to what exactly you are wanting to get out of your workouts? Are you looking to build muscle? Do you enjoy lifting heavyweights?

If the answer is yes then weight training would be the answer but if you are training with the intend to compete in a cycling race, triathlon, or anything that will test your lung capacity, then you will need to improve your cardio.

Frequently nowadays most athletes join the two workouts together to improve in every area. For most people, the best possible workout is to alternate between them on separate days or combine them into the same workout.

The pros are there for everybody to see. If you weight train while still taking time out to improve your cardio, you will not improve muscle mass, but you will be able to lift for longer. The time it takes you to catch your breath from high-intensity workouts will be less and you will be able to push yourself harder.

Become a Better You With Fitness

In the truth, there is no written law that states you have to only weight train or only do cardio-related training in your fitness regime. The most important thing is to get out there, do some exercise and become a better you!

By training and looking after yourself, you will not only feel better as a person but you will live a healthy life and not have health problems now or when you get older!

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