Endurance vs. Strength

[wutherhi]

Lately, I've been reading a lot about strength vs. endurance workouts. Until recently, I felt I understood the function of both (in combination with cardio and stretching) in an overall fitness program. Now, I'm not so sure I understand at all, specifically regarding endurance. In fact, I don't even understand well enough to ask an intelligent question. Can anyone start me out with an opinion on the benefits of endurance in regard to strength, weight loss, and heart health? Maybe then I'll arrive at the questions I want to ask.

Shari

 

[JMFRANE]

I would love to know more about this also.

Joanne

 

[FiddleFit]

Er, okay. I'll tell you why I do endurance workouts, but this is not based on any medical or physiological knowledge. But maybe it will help you to formulate your questions. I do endurance workouts to condition my muscles to work longer and harder with less oxygen. So, for example, endurance leg work such as in Leaner Legs helps me to perform IMAX2 interval 9 better, because my leg muscles can fire up quicker and go for longer without requiring me to stop and catch my breath, and give them more oxygen. I think endurance work also helps tone muscles, without adding bulk.

I think strength work conditions your muscles to lift heavier, jump higher, or work more explosively, as well as increases the size of the muscle by recruiting more muscle fiber.

I consider both endurance and strength work to be equally important for "functional fitness"; I need to be strong in order to lift things (like children), but also have the endurance to sit for long periods in an office chair with good posture (to avoid a sore lower back or shoulders).

Did any of this help? I didn't say I was accurate; only that this is how I understand it.

Sandra

 

[Maximus]

Well, my two cents, for what it's worth..........

It really depends on your goals. I do cardio 4-5 times a week b/c I feel like I have to. It's important to my health & to staying slim so I bite the bullet, even though I don't enjoy it very much.

I lift weights b/c I truly enjoy it. It's my hobby & there's nothing like the feeling of an intense, heavy-as-I-can-go lifting workout. That's what gives me my endorphin rush & what makes me feel good about myself.

If you have other goals, such as training for a specific sport, then you should tailor your workout to the goals of the sport. Obviously if your goal is to run in the Boston Marathon you'd want to focus on endurance rather than strength.

However, if your primary goal is simply to get into shape, you should focus on what you enjoy most, b/c that's what's gonna make you stick to it. If you have more fun w/an endurance program that's what you should do. If you enjoy weight training more, that's what you should do. Bearing in mind that, depending on your body type, a focus on weight training might make you, well, "stockier." Personally I'm naturally petite & can lift very heavy w/o getting that stocky look (and by stocky I do not mean large-muscled. Women are not physiologically capable of that. But many women tend to carry weight in the thighs/rear end & heavy weight training will show in these areas).

I guess what I'm trying to say is, what's most important here is that whatever you do, you enjoy it & it makes you feel good.

 

[wutherhi]

Thanks for the advice. I truly don't enjoy endurance work at all, but I do like heavy weight work. I've done endurance work for a long time because I reason that anything I dislike this much must be what I need. But as far as stamina and endurance, I have plenty for any need that's likely to arise in my life, so I was truly doing this simply because I thought I should.

I do get strong and build muscle relatively easily, but I don't tend to bulk up at all, so I think, unless someone can convince me otherwise, I'll stick with cardio and heavy weights for a while.

Thanks all!

Shari

 

[Mrsscififanec]

Hi
I just had to respond here to Sandra and say Good Answer ,really good answer .Even though i didn't ask the question it cleared things up for me Thanks,Mrsscififanec