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Want to get buff? Whether in a gym or training at home, choose cardio, weight training or both to achieve these personal training goals. Weight loss, heart health, disease prevention, increased lifespan; all are improved with exercise. Some argue for aerobic cardio, while others swear by lifting iron. So, which is better? Let's take a look.

Cardiovascular exercise has long been touted as the key to better health, and indeed it is wonderful exercise for the heart and lungs. And endurance does burn more calories then weightlifting, but only while you are doing it. And some of the weight lost is actually muscle, not fat. You may have seen some emaciated joggers, while you are out and about. And when you stop the aerobic exercise, the pounds come back with a vengeance. Endurance exercise requires intensity to be effective.

Weight training routines don't burn as many calories as aerobic does, minute for minute, but with lifting, the lost weight is only fat and the increased metabolic rate continues for hours afterward, ultimately burning more calories than the cardio does.

A cardio exerciser might get thinner than a weight trainer, but not necessarily healthier. The more muscle you build towards personal training goals, the more fat you lose. In short, it is the muscle that burns fat.

Cardio safety is a concern for athletes interested in healthy living. Injuries are common; knee pain, soreness in legs, and you want to keep an eye on the running surface, and of course, motor traffic on the road when you are running.

Weight trainers have to be careful too. Lifting too heavy with improper form can be dangerous. If you are at a gym, use a spotter (another person to stand by and assist you.) If you weight train at home, use a friend for safety. At least a car won't hit you in your basement.

Weight training is good for other measures too. It lowers blood pressure, strengthens bones and joints, decreases stress on your heart, lowers insulin levels by improving glucose tolerance, increases endurance and releases growth hormone, a great aid in anti-aging.

Suppose you appreciate cardio as well as weight training, but don't feel you have the time to include both in your healthy living lifestyle. Then consider circuit training, where you combine strength training and endurance training. For instance, if you are going to work arms, after each set march in place, climb stairs or jump rope for one minute. Use fairly light weights for this. On days when you lift heavy, omit the cardio, it won't be needed because the added weight revs up your metabolism, resulting in extra calories burning for up to 48 hours. The effective combination of Cardio and weight training will keep you looking good in the least amount of time.

So, cardio vs. weight training, what's it gonna be? The best is both in a circuit style training session. You'll get done sooner, and look and feel better. What more can you ask for; calorie free beer and wings?

Learn more about this author, Anthony Stemke.
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