IN HER FIVE AND A HALF YEARS AS A CYCLING INSTRUCTOR, PERSONAL TRAINER ROXIE JONES TAUGHT UPWARDS OF 10 SPINNING CLASSES PER WEEK (THAT’S MORE THAN 2 500 CLASSES IN TOTAL!).
More recently, she’s had to deal with the repercussions – including hormonal issues and sleep problems – of going overboard on this popular form of cardio. Fortunately, she has learnt to embrace more balanced training, which nets healthier results…but it wasn’t easy.
Of course, the average sweat fanatic may not be pedalling vigorously on a stationary bike 10 times a week, but it’s not unusual for women to have a torrid relationship with cardio at some point in their lives. And while strength training has drawn more women away from the elliptical in recent years, cardio has long remained front and centre in everything from government exercise recommendations to advertising.
Consider this for a moment, though: Cardio may not need as strict a prescription or definition as we thought – or even as sizeable a place in our routines. Seriously! An evergrowing body of research (and a powerful social media movement) is bearing out the truth that strength training can provide the same – if not more – results and emotional perks as classic cardio.
What does cardio need, in this case? A serious PR makeover. Ahead, why it became such a loaded topic – plus what fitness experts recommend prioritising in your sweat regimen instead. (We see gains in your future.…)
How We Got Here
This story is from the September - October 2022 edition of Women's Health South Africa.
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This story is from the September - October 2022 edition of Women's Health South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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