Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Aerobics or Strength Training

Which is better? Aerobic training (long distance running, stints on the Stairmaster) or anaerobic training (weight training & short intense conditioning work)

I've been asked this question hundreds if not thousands of times. First I'll give what I think is best and then I will talk about whether what I think is best even matters.

I my own professional opinion and from my experiences I believe a combination of strength training exercises (with free weights, machines, or bodyweight) and high intensity anaerobic exercise (e.g. Sprinting, running up hills, or stairs etc... have yielded the best results for me and the people I've worked with. I'll take it a step further by just looking at what the elite athletes do. The first thing that comes to my mind when it comes to ideal body composition (low body fat levels) and weight loss are long distance runners and sprinters. Marathoners run and workout for what seems like forever. One hour runs 4 to 6 times a week are the norm for many of them. Combine that with strength training (which many won't do because they're too tired and over trained from running) and you're working out almost everyday. Sprinters on the other hand use short intense workouts to build their speed. Many sprint 2 to 4 times a week for about 30-45 minutes and strength train 2-4x a week for about 30-45 minutes. Many times it looks as if they're not even training hard because they rest a while between their sprint sets.

With out getting too far into the details of the workouts of sprinters and marathoners I'll say this: The sprinters get far more in return for what amounts to less time spent working out. Just take a look at an elite marathoner (they look stringy and many times weak and sickly). Now look over at an elite sprinter and they look like an Adonis (It all boils down to what their training offers them. Long distance running will improve your aerobic endurance but at the cost of you overtraining, possibly having more colds, less muscle, you not looking and feeling your best and also leaving less time to do other things you might like. Sprinting and strength training will not give you the endurance to run 2 hours but you will look better, have more muscle, less fat, have more time to do other things. So I guess it's safe to say that I think strength training and anaerobic work wins in my book. Absolutely! Now does what I believe really matter when it comes to finding what works best for you?

9 comments:

DocWatt62 said...

That's good I too believe in strength training as opposed to endurance. But my challenge is the motovational factor.how do i get myself to do it after a hard day of work?
Have a great day

DocWatt62
never-ending-do-yah-poem
www.blogger.com

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Nuruddeen710 said...

Interesting info. I used to workout regularly but not anymore. My schedule is not gonna let me do that. Hope i will have some time for that.

Julian Franklin said...

Great post! docwatt62 asked about motivation. There is a great book called "Influence" by Robert Cialdini that is about motivating others, but it is surprisingly powerful advice for motivating yourself.

Start by writing out why you like to exercize, why you think it is important, and how committed you are to doing it on a regular basis. This single act will help inspire your body to do what your brain knows you need to do!

--Julian Franklin
www.JulianSpeaks.com

bla said...

yup it works for me too .. love the rush when i run .. oh and the strech when pumpin iron !! :D

C.R.Cavazos said...

My left inner ankle hurts when running.

Resonance said...

Hey, that's interesting what you say about strength training! It seems to me that aerobic exercise is important, too, though the results may not be as clear cut

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