Introduction
Confused about where to begin your Fitness Journey? We have read your mind! Keeping in mind all the gym beginners, we will break it down to the basics in this blog! We will start by understanding the major exercise groups involved in everyone’s fitness journey– Strength, Cardiovascular, and Flexibility Training.
A balanced combination of these workouts is required to achieve and maintain your well-being and fitness goals. The specific exercises and their ratio depend entirely on the results you want. So, let’s get cracking!
Cardiovascular Training
Also known as Aerobic Exercises and Endurance Training, Cardio Exercises are performed with rhythmic and repetitive exercises that use up more oxygen and elevates the body’s metabolism and heart rate. Cardio Workout benefits the body by developing stamina while also improving heart and lung function.
The benefits mentioned above are already quite convincing, but there’s more! While doing cardio, the brain releases endorphins, our body’s “relaxing glass of wine”. The release of these feel-good hormones has proven to keep Depression and Anxiety at bay. Thus, apart from boosting physical health, cardio also facilitates mental functions.
Strength training
When you hear about building or maintaining Muscle Strength, Strength Training is the type of exercise at play. This one goes by surprisingly many names. You can call it Resistance Training, Toning, Body-building, or Weightlifting. The strength training process uses the bodyweight of an individual or heavier weights such as dumbbells, resistance bands, barbells, strength machines, and so on.
The external resistance caused by these weights cause contractions and microscopic tears in the muscles. They are common and beneficial to the muscle-building process, so don’t panic. In fact, when these tears repair, they form new muscle tissue, helping you gain a toned or lean physique. In the long run, strength training benefits muscle mass, connective tissue, and bones.
Flexibility training
Now, the intertwined trickster. To correct the common confusion, Flexibility Training is not a separate exercise category but, it is involved in both, cardio as well as strength training. Lengthening or Stretching Exercises like yoga comprise flexibility training. They help the body gain agility and balance, which Prevents Muscle Stiffness or soreness, even as we age.
In addition, a flexible body has reduced muscle tension, better posture, and increased circulation, which means you are less likely to take extreme damage while performing workouts or any physical activity. To ensure safety from injuries and warm up the muscles, fitness trainers include Flexibility Training with strength and cardio.
On a parting note
As mentioned in the beginning, Strength Training, Cardio, and Flexibility Training are used in a combination to suit an individual’s physical requirements. However, as a word of advice, don’t focus on a particular training because you want the flat belly, aesthetic biceps, or toned thighs.
Make the routine a lifestyle habit and do it to promote your Overall Health and Fitness. The rest of the requirements will progressively follow. We hope we helped you understand the broad domain of fitness routines just a tiny bit better. Keep in touch to read more about these subclasses under these fitness categories!
