Fitness Facts
Cardiovascular Training
Cardiovascular (CV) or Aerobic training is about improving the ability of the body to transport and utilise oxygen efficiently and to best effect. Thus, to improve fitness, we need to work heart, lungs and larger muscle groups such as those in the legs or arms harder than normal for an extended period of time.
CV exercise can be any activity involving continuous, rhythmic movement that increases the heart and breathing rates.
Typical CV or aerobic activities include: walking, swimming, jogging, cycling, circuit/aerobic classes.
The health benefits of part taking in regular, moderate forms of CV activity are enormous and can include:
- Reduced risk of Coronary Heart Disease
- Reduced Blood Pressure
- Reduced Total Cholesterol
- Reduced Body Fat
- Reduced risk of Stroke
- Reduced risk of Diabetes
- Stress Reduction
- Increased Bone Density
Guidelines state that, to achieve health benefits, adults should partake in 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity 5 times per week. Moderate activity can include brisk waking, swimming lengths, jogging, etc. Allow our trainers to create a programme to get all of these positive benefits for your health.
Weight Training
Whilst many of us understand the benefits of cardiovascular or aerobic activity there is less awareness as to the importance of resistance training or weight training. Some of the health benefits associated with regular resistance training include:
- Increased Lean Muscle Mass
- Increased Bone Density
- Slow down of Osteoporosis
Resistance training can develop several physiological benefits depending on the way in which the training is used.
These include:
- Increased Strength
- Increased Muscular Endurance
- Increased Power
- Increased 'fat-burning'
- Enhanced Body Shape
When embarking on a program of resistance training it is important to understand, practise and use good technique and to ensure that the exercises performed are safely and achieve the desired results. Women should be aware that it is impossible for them to build large muscles naturally when using weights. Men can only do this due to a hormone called testosterone. Women do not have enough of this hormone to create conditions for large muscle growth. Our trainers at the Regency Club can help you discover the power of any effective resistance-training programme to achieve your goals.