Aerobics or Strength Training: Which is Better?

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?
Tip! It is now time to change your viewpoint in life and go on a different level. After you have experienced all the styles of yoga, try the nude aerobics yoga and have that nice feel.

Here's a true story:

I had a client a few years ago that loved to run. When I made my pitch to try and get her to do sprints and strength training she rebelled. She really had no interest in strength training and she truly loved to run as it made her feel like a million bucks. How could I fight that? World famous holistic healer Paul Chek once told me in a seminar that the best exercise is the one you will do and like to do consistently. Ultimately you need to do what works for you and what you like doing. If you do a workout program that you dread many times you'll just stop doing it and sometimes you may even get hurt. So, for those who love to run: I've got nothing but love for you. Have fun, be consistent and keep it up.
Tip! Some can't even carry out yoga with their clothes on. If this is the case, a lot of people will be intimidated or perhaps be interested in doing nude aerobics yoga.

For over 12 years Virgil has helped numerous people from all walks of life reach their strength & health related goals. His career highlights include working as a strength & conditioning/baseball coach for the New York Mets Instructional Baseball Academy, serving as an assistant with the WNBA New York Liberty's strength & conditioning staff and creating the Ultimate Stair Exercises DVD set http://www.StairExercises.com which has sold in 6 countries. Currently Virgil continues to teach, train clients and is releasing a new DVD series entitled GetFit Anywhere http://www.GetFitAnywhere.net

Aerobics - Let Me See You Sweat

Don't you remember, it was the 80s and lots of people were doing it. Even those that weren't doing it, were talking about doing it. There were shows all over television. These people were standing in formation, wearing leotards and leg warmers. They were doing what looked like exercise, but this wasn't called exercise, it was called aerobics. It looked like a combination of dance and exercise. But what was this new form of sweating?

The age of aerobics can be credited to Dr. Kenneth Cooper. Dr. Cooper was an exercise physiologist for the US Air Force and he couldn't understand how some people, who seemed in great physical condition, were not able to perform at a high level when they were swimming, long distance running and bicycling. He began testing people's performance, using a bicycle ergometer and focusing on the human body's ability to utilize oxygen. In 1969, Dr. Cooper published a book called Aerobics, which documented what he had learned through his testing.
Tip! I do not know how to tell you just exactly how much I love working out at my aerobics center.

The word aerobic means, with oxygen. Aerobics are supposed to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood and then have this blood flow to the muscles. Aerobic exercise can produce many benefits; it burns calories and increases the body's metabolism, both of which help in losing weight. Those people that went through Dr. Cooper's testing, discovered even more benefits of aerobic exercise. These included; toning muscles all over the body, making the heart muscle stronger, improving the respiratory muscles and increasing the number of red blood cells in the body. Regular aerobics can also help reduce cardiovascular problems.

The 1980s saw the television air waves and media in general flock to the aerobic craze. Hollywood stars were knocking each other over, in their quest to be the next star with an aerobic video on the market. Funny thing is, none of these stars were widely known in the exercise industry, until aerobics came around. I guess that maybe the inside joke of the aerobics era was that so many people purchased videos from people who weren't even experts in the field of aerobics. Maybe that's what star power is all about, being able to sell a product that you have very little knowledge of.
Tip! They say nudity is healthy natural. Those who do nude aerobics yoga say that clothes keep them disturbed and it prevents the flow of air in getting inside the body.

Even though aerobics was an overwhelming success, it had its doubters. Many felt that aerobics wasn't a balanced exercise program. This was mainly due to the fact that aerobics didn't require the use of weights. Light weights could be added to the aerobic exercise, but not the kind that would build muscle strength. Many people saw this as a flaw in the aerobic program. The problem with this specific complaint is that Dr. Cooper never set out to build up the body mass of the individual. His main concern was to see if the body could perform at a higher level, by increasing its oxygen intake.

The 90s saw a decrease in the star power of aerobics and brought more professionalism to the industry. Organizations like Aerobics and Fitness Association of America created certification programs for instructors. Aerobic athletes also competed in national and international competitions.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Aerobics