Why People who Lift Weights Should Run

Well, maybe not specifically run, but people who lift weights should definitely still be doing cardio. If you’re serious about building muscle, getting stronger, and being healthy do cardio. Not only does it make that set of 12 reps on squat more bearable or the 30 yard sled push LESS miserable (still the worst, btw), but it improves your cardiovascular health immensely. We all started this to get healthier after all. The fact of the matter is that weight training alone will not increase your health and longevity. At least not as much as combing the two.

❤️ Cardiorespiratory Health is Good

Like I said, we all started this to be a little bit healthier. Cardiorespiratory health will likely be the deciding factor on how long you live. Cardio dramatically improves the function of your heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Doing lots of cardio makes you less likely to have a heart attack, stroke, decreases blood pressure, and much much more. Doing more cardio quite literally makes you less likely to die early!

💪 More Cardio Makes You Stronger for Longer  

If not dying was not enough motivation to get you onto the elliptical, maybe this will be. More cardio = better muscle growth! Ever been 40 minutes into an hour long workout and felt absolutely exhausted? Improving your conditioning could make the second half of your workout much more effective. Instead of mindlessly doing sit-ups at the end of your workout, you’re doing sit-ups with the same intensity as your first exercise of the day. Being better at cardio means when you used to only be able to do 12 reps, you can now do 15 reps. This could lead to more muscle growth and more strength increases.

🧠 A Fresh Take on Fitness  

Cardio opens an entirely new way to challenge yourself. Maybe it’s something you’ve tried (and hated), or maybe it’s something you’ve avoided entirely. Either way, progress is progress, and it’s just as addictive in cardio as it is with weights. Just like doing one more push-up than you ever have, running farther than you ever have makes you feel empowered and motivated. Giving you a high that carries throughout the day. Plus, bragging rights at the dinner table.

❤️‍🩹 Cardio Improves Recovery

On a typical day off from the gym you may find yourself sitting at your desk more, keeping your heart rate low, and feeling tight from that ridiculous new workout you did the day before. Days like these would be greatly improved by cardio. Pedal on the stationary bike for 30 minutes. Get a nice sweat going and a good leg burn. Not only will this give you an endorphin dump that leaves you feeling extra productive, but you will notice that those tight muscles have loosened up, and you will actually feel more energized than when you started.

🔥 Cardio Burns Extra Calories—but don’t get lost in it!

While I never recommend doing cardio for the sole reason of burning calories, it is still a point worth mentioning. Cardio burns calories faster than lifting weights and this could allow you to burn some extra body fat or be looser with your diet. In fact, lots of cardio allows you to eat lots of food. There’s an argument to be made that our society does not have an overeating problem, but more of a lack of movement problem. However, I add this final point cautiously. Cardio is about health, function, and performance, not punishing yourself for what you ate last night. Doing 30 minutes of cardio may only burn 250 calories, and that is not even a bottle of Coca Cola. It is super easy to overeat even when doing cardio. But beware, obsessing over “calories burned” can lead to a very bad headspace.

 💭 Final Thoughts 

Cardio done right supports muscle building, strength gains, and heart health. It leaves you feeling like a more capable human. No, you do not have to run marathons, but you likely should be moving more.

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