In this newsletter . . .

Balancing Resistance Training and Cardio

Notice: My Fitness Books

Balancing Resistance Training and Cardio

There is more than one way. For example, he could do cardio and resistance training on alternating days. Or he could combine cardio with resistance work in single workouts by doing fast-paced circuit routines. Circuit routines require setting up exercise “stations,” where you do a resistance exercise and quickly move on to another different resistance exercise.

The trick to doing effective circuit training is using enough resistance to tax your muscles while at the same time moving quickly enough between exercises to get your heart rate up. Sometimes jogging, running place, or doing calisthenics between exercise stations is a way of maintaining a target heart rate.

Circuit training can be effective for all-around fitness. It is not as effective, however, for building maximum strength. For example, if your goal is to reach maximum strength potential, you must rest between sets of resistance training. Or if your goal is to run, cycle, or swim as fast or as long as your genetic potential allows, you must not stop in the middle of a run or swim to lift weights. You must separate the two types of training.

But take a large random group of fitness trainees and you will probably find the majority is not training to become world-class competitors in a specific sport. Rather, most of them train for a fitness balance of strength and good cardiovascular health. Like most, I fall into this category.

Most of the time, I like separating my cardio from resistance work. And there are two ways to do it: 1) At the same workout do resistance exercise first, and follow it with cardio; or 2) do cardio and resistance training on alternating days.

I prefer alternating days for a couple of reasons. First, I do not like overly long workouts. Even when I was younger, devoting anything over an hour in the gym took the fun out of it. By alternating exercise days, I now spend 35 minutes on my resistance workout days and 35 minutes on cardio session days.

The second reason I like alternating days is because the sessions are short enough that I can put more effort into each one. If I were to combine them, I would have to pace myself (devote less effort per exercise) in order to have sufficient energy to make it through lengthier workouts. Younger trainees may not have to concern themselves as much with that. But as you get older it becomes a consideration.

Over the years, I have also noted that most people who regularly go in for marathon gym workouts eventually tire of the grind and quit. I say “most people” because of course there are those exceptions who live almost only for their workouts. But the majority of people who maintain strength and fitness for a lifetime find abbreviated but regular workouts serve them well.

Notice: My Fitness Books

I was never in any of the big bookstores, or at Amazon, but it was a successful small enterprise. It was honest and reliable. If you ordered a book, wanted to return it and wanted your money back, no questions would be asked. People liked the books and they liked how they were treated.

Several months ago, CafePress decided to discontinue the book printing side of their business. Not much notice was given, and I was left without an opportunity to make a smooth, uninterrupted transition to another company. In the meantime, many wrote to find out, “How do I order your books?”

The answer is that you can’t. The beginners’ book, Gray Iron A Fitness Guide for Senior Men and Women won’t be resurrected. I haven’t decided if I’ll make other arrangements for selling Living the Fitness Lifestyle. We’ll have to wait and see. Other companies such as Lulu and Amazon offer similar printing arrangements, but right now I think I’ll concentrate on my website and newsletter.

There always was the first month’s training, from the beginners’ book, free, at my website. To get months’ two and three, you had to buy the book. Now all three months are at the website, free of any charge. Find access on the Navigation Bar, left column. Photo exercise demonstrations from the book won’t be there, however, but the rest of the instruction is complete.

Tips on healthful eating and other information to get beginners started on the right course are found throughout my website and often repeated here, in The Gray Iron Fitness Newsletter.

Your comments and questions are always appreciated. Simply click on the "Reply" bottom.

Sincerely,

Logan Franklin
The Gray Iron Fitness Newsletter
www.senior-exercise-central.com