
Types of Training in Relation to Physical Activity and Sport
Ever feel overwhelmed by all the different types of workouts out there? Cardio, strength, HIIT, yoga—what do they all do, and how do you choose? Let’s break it down together - well kind of, I guess it's me breaking it down in my head on our behalf!
There are a few main types of training. Aerobic (think running or swimming) boosts your heart health and endurance.
Anaerobic training, like sprinting, focuses on short bursts of high effort.
Resistance training—weights or bodyweight exercises—is brilliant for building strength.
Flexibility exercises (hellooo, yoga!) keep your joints happy, and balance training (like Pilates) can prevent injuries.
The best approach? Mix it up! Cross-training combines different types to keep your routine exciting and your body challenged. It's really good to mix up training. Think about it, as an adult when was the last time you jumped or sprinted? If it was in the last 6 months you're above average. If it's over a year (or many years) ago we need to get moving in all directions and speeds as soon as we can to keep our bones, muscles and joints active and healthy.
Essentially, a variety is the spice of life—and health/fitness! Mixing training types helps you hit all your goals while keeping things fresh and fun.
References:
American College of Sports Medicine. (2018). ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription.
Schoenfeld, B. J. (2010). The mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy and their application to resistance training. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.