Cardio vs. Weight Training: Which Is Better for Your Heart?

Cardio exercises such as jogging, cycling, and swimming will help increase endurance and flexibility. Meanwhile, weight lifting exercises increase strength and muscle mass, according to the health website Healthline (USA).

Weight lifting exercises help increase muscle effectively and help prevent cardiovascular disease.

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Cardio, or aerobic exercise, directly impacts the heart and lungs, helping to improve the efficiency of these organs. Activities such as running, swimming, brisk walking, and cycling force the heart to pump more blood with each beat, thereby strengthening the heart muscle.

A meta-analysis published in the journal Circulation found that regular cardio exercise lowers blood pressure, lowers “bad” LDL cholesterol, raises “good” HDL cholesterol, and improves insulin sensitivity. It also improves the body’s ability to use oxygen, which is measured by VO2 max.

VO2 max is an important indicator of heart health and longevity. Studies show that people with a high VO2 max tend to live longer and have a lower risk of heart disease.

In addition to cardio, strength training such as weight lifting, push-ups, pull-ups, or resistance band exercises also provide significant cardiovascular benefits. Weight training increases muscle mass and boosts metabolism, while controlling heart disease risk factors such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Activities such as jogging, swimming, brisk walking and cycling force the heart to pump more blood with each beat, thereby strengthening the heart muscle.

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Optimize your workout with cardio and strength for better health

A study published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that people who strength trained at least twice a week had a 40 to 70 percent lower risk of heart disease.

In addition, weight training also has the effect of lowering resting blood pressure and improving blood lipid index similar to cardio exercise. Furthermore, by increasing lean muscle mass, weight training increases the body's basal metabolic rate, contributing to the prevention of weight gain.

Many studies show that weight training improves the flexibility of blood vessel walls, reduces arterial stiffness, thereby improving blood circulation and reducing the workload on the heart.

Comparing the benefits of cardio and weight training for cardiovascular health is not about choosing one over the other, but about understanding how each type of exercise affects the body. The best strategy is to combine both.

A study in the journal JAMA Cardiology found that people who did both cardio and strength training had a significantly lower risk of death from heart disease than those who did only one type of exercise or neither, according to Healthline.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tap-cardio-va-nang-ta-loai-nao-tot-cho-tim-hon-18525050313283799.htm