As Winter Garden's most recognized health and nutrition expert, I have the honor and the pleasure of interacting with and helping a wide array of people achieve their health and wellness goals. And one of the most common questions I get is: "What about cardio?" I'll do my best to address this question, but first...
...I want to be clear...
Cardio is fine if you enjoy cardio; there is nothing wrong with cardio. In fact, I believe that cardio is an important piece to an intelligent and balanced approach to physical fitness and overall wellness. Just ask our VIPs about their personalized action plans.
...Here's the rub...
Cardio is the weakest link in the health and wellness chain. In other words, you get the least bang for your buck. Allow me to explain...
Here's what a balanced approach to wellness and general physical fitness looks like [in this order]
Number one: Strength
Number two: Mobility
Number three: Cardio
Let's run through a few hypothetical questions.
Can preparing for a 5K help you with your upper body strength? No.
Can strength training help you with your upper body strength? Yes... and mobility, too.
Which of these two training methods will help you push yourself off the floor if you happen to fall down?
Can preparing for a 5K help you with your mobility and injury prevention? No.
Can yoga help you with your mobility and injury prevention? Yes... and strength, too.
Which of these two training methods will help you pick up your groceries or grand children?
Let's take another perspective...
Strength burns more calories [for up to 36 hours after training], tones the muscles, and taxes the heart and lungs [in a good way... aka cardio]
Mobility [yoga] burns more calories [because of the muscle contractions... aka, static and isotonic strength], tones the muscles, increases body awareness, increases mobility, and can tax the heart and lungs [in a good way... aka cardio]
Cardio burns fewer calories [and the calorie burn stops when you stop], taxes the heart and lungs [in a good way]
The take away...
Instead of doubling up on your cardio because you missed a yoga class, grab a kettlebell, or pop in your favorite yoga DVD and get started.
Yoga is a great way to cover a lot of bases. At Winter Garden Yoga, we emphasize strength over flexibility, and alignment over depth. This way, you get toned muscles, and a mobile body that is resistant to injury.
Kettlebell training is an awesome way to develop strength, mobility, and cardio in an all-in-one method.
And once you've gotten your yoga and kettlebells done, take the next day to go for a nice walk, get some fresh air, and enjoy the cardio.
Winter Garden Yoga is a world renowned yoga studio recognized for providing a unique form of “functional yoga instruction” that gives you a toned, pain-free body that leaves you feeling great whether you’re currently flexible or not.
Unlike ordinary yoga studios with crowded classes that over stretch and leave you feeling lost in the crowd, our services focus on strength, mobility, and nutrition all wrapped up into a caring, supportive, family-like environment you’ll call home.
Contact us or give us a call at 407-579-9889 for a free, no obligation consultation ($87 value) to find a package plan that is perfect for you.
