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Ellie Elliptical rushes into the gym and proceeds to the scale. Gasp! Bad news! She races to the cardio room, hoards her favorite elliptical, and throws her towel over the screen, lest someone see how long she's been hogging the machine. Ellie sets the machine on the lowest resistance, so that she can move as quickly as possible. Ninety frantic minutes later, her workout is finished.

Harry the Hulk is also anxious to start his workout. However, his destination is the weight room. Harry has so much bulk that he he can't move as quickly as Ellie. However, his intimidating size means he's unchallenged when he takes all of the heaviest weights in the weight room and sets them up near "his" bench. Don't even think of asking if you can "work in."

Harry and Ellie have distinct personal training goals. Ellie's is weight loss. Thus, she is dedicated to her cardio workout. Harry wants strength and muscle tone, so he focuses exclusively on his weight training routine. Let's sneak a look at their bodies. Don't worry, they can't see you from behind the computer screen.

Despite her cardio craziness, Ellie still has a bit of a weight problem. Harry has big biceps and a huge chest, but what's this? Do we see love handles? Here's the problem. While Harry and Ellie both have admirable personal training goals, neither pays much attention to the concept of healthy living.

So what encompasses healthy living? The first thing that comes to mind is balance. An optimal training program should include both a weight training routine and a cardio routine. Most people associate weight training with muscle tone and cardio with weight loss. That's only partially correct.

Weight training creates toned muscles, which are more metabolic powerhouses. This means that a person who participates in a weight training routine burns more calories at rest than someone who does not. Weight training also makes the body more efficient, and efficient movers burn more calories. Remember, Ellie could only do her elliptical workout on the lowest resistance level.

So how do we help Harry and Ellie adhere to the principles of healthy living, without compromising their personal training goals? Options include:

*Circuit Training: This interval training method involves a series of weight training stations, which are performed in rapid succession and interspersed with varied cardio activities cardio activities. These aerobic activities also work different muscle groups at each interval. An entire workout can be completed in an hour.

*Cardio with Resistance: Using elliptical and other cardio machines on a higher resistance setting will create some strength benefits. Consider using machines that work the upper and lower body simultaneously.

*Multi-tasking: Working your upper and lower body simultaneously can provide some mild aerobic benefits. Examples include lunges with bicep curls and squats with rows.

A wokout that combines weight training and cardio not only enhances healthy living: It gives you time to get a life!

Learn more about this author, Lisa Marie Mercer.
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