The Difference Between High-Intensity Cardio and Strength Training

High-intensity workouts have become the go-to way to exercise for so many people today. For those still unfamiliar with this form of exercise, they are short bursts of high intensity exercise followed by periods allowing the body to recover. It is key to understand that's both phases are equally important. The topic we'll bring up here is the difference between high-intensity cardio and high-intensity strength training, and what each brings to the table as far as your overall health and fitness.

It might be helpful to point out that mankind has evolved from using high-intensity activities followed by periods of rest. This came from the flight or fight necessity that was essential for our ancestor's very survival. Over countless generations of these high-intensity periods followed by periods of rest and recovery, it is how our body has become genetically wired. So when we do low intensity cardio over long stretches of time, a marathon race for instance, we are going against the way we have been built throughout human history.

In many ways it has been found that high-intensity strength training is more in tuned to the way we have been genetically wired. That would be like having to sprint on a hunt for food to feed the tribe, and then having the strength to finally subdue the game that has been caught. Matching training to the way our distant ancestors did would be to do some high-intensity cardio followed by high-intensity strength training, and then necessary periods of rest.

So what can we expect to gain from both of these types of training? They do have some similar benefits. They release the hormones adrenaline and epinephrine, and these are important to emptying the muscles of glucose so it can be used for fuel. This will result in increasing insulin sensitivity and reversing the effects of metabolic syndrome. We get that both from intense aerobics and intense strength training.

The primary difference between the two is the difference in muscular fatigue. This muscle exhaustion is important in that it triggers the release of myokines. These are a type of chemical messenger that are anti-inflammatory and increase insulin sensitivity, increasing glucose utilization inside the muscle. Clearly, they have very specific effects on systemic inflammation, the composition of the body as well as reducing the risk of chronic disease. When we tax the muscles to the degree that we feel true muscle fatigue, we get a lot of benefit from that, with the caveat that these muscles then be given proper recovery time.

So when we go to the health club and watch someone on an inclined bike gently pedaling away for a long period of time as they read a book or watch television, what they are doing is better than sitting on the couch watching television. They would be so much better off by cutting their training to a small fraction of the time they put in and do 20 to 30 second bursts then followed by short rest periods. If they were to end up doing some strength training that really taxes the muscles they would have the perfect formula for a truly healthy workout.

Endorphins are an important regulator of pain, but also pleasure.  Most people produce them  through exercise, but certain foods,  especially chocolate  can produce a similar effect.  Read more about it on our website.  Rich Carroll is a writer and health advocate now living in Chicago.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rich_Carroll