The constant debate between whether or not cardio is better or strength training is better is one that will never be settled. I can say I’ve found results with both, but definitely prefer one over the other (hint hint: it’s lifting at BLF).

What is extremely effective about Blue Lion classes is that they are a great combination of strength and cardio, and research has shown that if you want to maintain your muscle mass, you must make sure you’re doing about the same amount of strength as you are doing cardio. Although choosing to run long distances more often will help increase your endurance, it actually makes you lose muscle over time. Explosive movements, such as sprints, burpees, and box jumps, are much better overall, and thanks to Blue Lion, we all get our fair share of explosive movements during the conditioning sessions! But for the days when cardio is your choice of workout, you’ll be burning more calories during a run than you would during a lift. With that being said though, the more muscle you have, the more calories you will burn, so hitting the weights is continuing to prove beneficial. One problem we cannot ignore on the cardio side of the debate is the fact that running, whether it be on concrete or a treadmill, puts a lot of pressure on your joints, making injuries more likely. Here is another reason why pairing cardio and strength is so dang beneficial; strength training teaches your brain to allow quick muscle contractions that will minimize, or even prevent, injuries.

It’s no secret why people continue to come back to BLF. The workouts are designed to give you a little taste of everything and have you feeling like you’ve accomplished a lot in an hour. Combining strength elements and cardio elements have you feeling stronger and seriously worked out (if that’s even a phrase).

Sources include Men’s Fitness and Women’s Health. Images from www.inlifehealthcare.com and kiambublog.com.