#69 – Cardio vs. Strength Training

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athletic women trail running and lifting weights

What's more important – strength training or cardio training?

As a coach, you wouldn't believe how often I get this question. And my extremely aggravating answer is: IT DEPENDS.

Asking whether you should focus on strength or cardio to prepare for a trip is a little like asking whether you should go to college or start your own business. There are just so many variables to consider. And the answer is going to be different for human.

But that doesn't mean it's not a useful question. So today on the podcast, I'll share a metaphor to help you understand how both strength and cardio benefit you as an athlete. And we'll also talk about some ways to find the right balance as you prepare for your goal trip.

Ready? Let's do this!

Linked Resources

In this episode, you’ll learn …

  • Why cardio vs. strength training is the wrong question. Reasons both belong in your endurance training program. Why so many endurance athletes (and coaches) overfocus on lifting weights.

  • The car analogy of endurance training and performance. Why strength is the car body and cardio is the engine. What happens when strength and cardio are out of balance.

  • Cardio vs. strength demands of different mountaineering objectives. How to find the right balance for your goal trip.

  • Factors to consider when designing your training plan. The costs and benefits of emphasizing either cardio or strength training.

  • How to periodize cardio and strength training so they come out even (mostly). What to prioritize at each training stage. Ways to combine cardio and weights when you're feeling time crunched.