Cardio and strength training work best together to get the most burn. Many people like to do either “cardio” or “weights” to build a better body, but experts agree it is better to combine the two for best results.

People will choose cardiovascular exercise because walking, running or biking seems to fit in a daily schedule easier, and this is better that doing nothing at all but really the goal is to make both a part of your fitness program.

In a perfect world we all would be doing both cardio and strength training in very workout we do. By so doing wee would burn the maximum amount of calories possible.

Just lifting weights will certainly help build muscle mass which increases metabolism and burns calories, but doing both burns more calories and builds muscle to burn more calories in the future.

To lose weight you need to burn more calories that you’re eating, but the benefits of cardio and strength training extend beyond losing pounds. You will lower bad cholesterol and blood pressure while boosting good cholesterol and your overall mood.

Strength training helps with injury prevention and combats two issues everyone encounters as we get older and that is loss of both bone and muscle mass.

Strength training can be misunderstood and as a result totally avoided even though there are a lot of benefits.

People think they must be in a gym using weights or machines for strength training. You can use your own body weight, tubing or hand weights which can be inexpensive and effective.

You can also use a buddy for resistance.

Face a partner placing your hands on their shoulders and have them resist while you push them across the gym floor or a school field if outdoors.

People need to do things they like or they will not stick to it. You may have to try a few things before finding something suitable for you.

Why not try teaming up with your spouse or friend and this winter try snowshoeing, cross-country skiing for cardio and for strength use your own body weight or sign up for a gym session with a trainer. It’s easier when you have a partner to be consistent and it will also be more fun.

Don’t think of your workouts as cardio or strength based only.

Instead choose a full-body strength workout with short cardiovascular bursts mixed in to get the maximum effect of your workout session.

This way you are getting everything in one workout and the most bang for your buck.

As an example you could do a set each of pushups, seated rows and overhead shoulder presses – and then a cardio interval ranging from one to five minutes long. Repeat the circuit a few times for best results.

You don’t need to have long tiresome workouts. Keep them short and intense. About 60 to 75 minutes is ideal or your stress hormones get to high and you actually break down muscle tissue.