Let’s Settle This!
Hello, fitness enthusiasts! Whether you are new to your fitness journey or have been active in the gym for years now, I’m sure you have heard the terms endurance and cardio thrown around. But, are they really the same? Get comfortable, grab a drink, and let’s dive into this topic together!
What is Cardio?
Let’s start with cardio – short for cardiovascular exercise. You most likely have seen people at the gym running on a treadmill, riding a spin bike, or dancing like no one is watching in Zumba class! That is cardio people! Anytime your heart rate is elevated during an activity, that’s cardio! Cardio acts like the oil that makes your heart engine work – improving circulation, reducing blood pressure, and giving you energy.
When we talking about cardio, we aren’t saying you have to run a marathon! Even a walk through the neighborhood is cardio! But the main goal of cardio is to get your heart pumping and improve your overall fitness.
What is Endurance?
Now we need to discuss endurance. At its core, endurance simply means how long you can continue the physical activity (or exercise) you are doing. This is similar to the analogy of running a 5K versus grabbing a sprint to catch a bus. One is a short duration burst of energy, and the other is about physical effort over time to maintain effort.
When discussing endurance, we generally discuss two types of endurance. Aerobic endurance (longer duration sustained cardio) and anaerobic endurance (short full effort work). Thus, there is no doubt that all endurance involves some sort of cardio, but not all cardio is geared toward building endurance.
So Are Endurance and Cardio the Same Thing?
Anyway, here we need to clarify, while endurance and cardio are not the same thing, they co-exist. Essentially, cardio is a type of exercise but endurance is a quality of fitness that can be developed through cardio fitness.
Using running again as an example, a sprinter usually engages in intervals of high intensity work to develop speed at the start of the sprint, while a marathon runner is capable of maintaining a steady pace for 26.2 miles! Both are performing cardio but one is training for endurance.
My Story
I reflect back to when I began my fitness journey. I felt running was simply about speed, ran on the treadmill and sprinted through my workouts thinking I was great. My bad! Upon joining a running club, I realized there is more to running, specifically pacing and the realization that you can build your endurance, and with the correct training recognize that long runs are not only doable but populating enjoyable.
There is something to be said about running when you see how far you can go without collapsing or wheezing for air. Once I got into endurance running, everything changed. Suddenly, I could run longer races and have fun and socialize while doing it with friends!
Endurance Training
Suppose you want to develop your endurance base, below are several ideas to help you along:
- Establish a Base: If you are beginning your endurance journey, you may wish to start including intervals of “steady-state” (e.g., walking or jogging), in a shorter duration – gradually intensifying the duration and intensity, with time.
- Variety is Key: Do not be one-dimensional with your exercise. Swimming, cycling, and group fitness classes like dance-fitness or kickboxing can all elevate your heart rate and help build endurance.
- Be Consistent: If we assume a target of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise each week, you will require to be consistent in your endurance development.
- Be in Tune with your Body: Allow rest and recovery so your muscles and Cardiac/Aerobic Energy system can adapt, your physique will appreciate it in the (near) future!
To Conclude!
That’s all for now friends! Endurance and cardio may not be the same thing, but they go together like peanut butter and jelly as part of your journey into fitness! Having an understanding of the difference between those will help you make the best decisions when it comes to preparing your workouts and accomplishing those goals you’ve been imagining.
As you immerse yourself into your fitness routine, just remember your journey is your own. Have fun with it, try things, and have fun!
Read more articles with Cardio and Endurance :- The Best Ways to Build Cardio and Endurance
