Endurance vs. Strength Training: Which Is Right for You?

The body has various muscles that change in shape and strength depending on the stress one places on them. Your muscles will become more substantial depending on whether you focus on muscular endurance or muscular strength exercises. Both styles are acceptable forms of exercise, but in order to decide which is best for you, it‘s best to know what makes each one unique.

Endurance Training

Endurance training focuses on the muscles’ ability to sustain a certain amount of stress while staying active for extended periods. The activities involved in endurance training will have your muscles performing more reps, with the stress coming from resistance and the need for quicker recovery. The reps are usually higher in endurance training, and they use more of the body as a counterweight.

When you’re choosing between endurance and strength training, it’s important to note the types of workouts you’ll need to do. Endurance exercises include push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and other workouts that don‘t use weights. Some workouts use machines and equipment such as resistance bands and rowing machines.

Strength Training

Strength training is the opposite of endurance training because it uses weights. Using weights and fewer reps builds the body’s ability to expend bursts of energy in a short amount of time. This training style uses weights of various sizes to build muscle volume by putting more stress on the body.

Exercises in strength training include bicep curls, barbell squats, and bench presses. All workouts involve using weights as a form of resistance against your muscles to cause more growth.

Using Both

It is possible to use both forms of exercise if you cannot decide whether endurance or strength training is right for you. Both types of training offer benefits that increase your body’s capabilities and allow extended periods of strength output with a quicker recovery time. It’s also possible to endurance train with one part of your body, such as your legs, and strength train in other parts, such as your torso.

Endurance and strength training will benefit the body in different ways. Regardless of which one you choose, knowing the specifics of each style is important. To begin your training, look for exercise equipment in Grand Rapids, MI.