18805 W. Catawba Ave. Suite 101

Cornelius, NC 28031 US

(704) 987-5050

Open mobile navigation

Aerobics and Strength Training - A Solid Foundation for Fitness

Ever notice how strength training and aerobic exercise go together? Aerobic exercise accentuates strength training because you have more endurance. Strength training makes aerobic exercise better, more fun, because you have more power. Like marshmallows and campfires or vanilla ice cream and hot apple pie, each one enhances the experience of the other.
Awareness of these possibilities helps you get more out of the valuable time you spend exercising.
Strength training by itself doesn't provide much of an aerobic benefit. Strength training by its very nature is an anaerobic activity. Some aerobic benefit can be gained by doing five- or six-exercise supersets. But that's not the main point of lifting weights.
Aerobic exercise by itself doesn't provide much of a strength benefit. Aerobic exercise by its very nature is a glucose-burning endurance activity. The main muscle that gets stronger is your heart, and that's why you're doing aerobic activities. You don't really increase lean muscle mass by doing aerobic exercise.
But when you do both activities on a regular, weekly basis, magical things happen. You notice you're getting stronger on your strength training days and getting faster and have more endurance on your aerobic training days because you're doing both consistently.
From the viewpoint of exercise physiology, focusing on things like VO2 max and oxygen-consumption rates, the combination of strength training and aerobic exercise generates a positive feedback loop of training effects. Done correctly, strength training not only strengthens the prime movers involved in the specific exercise, but also the accessory and stabilizing muscles. These latter muscles come into play during aerobics, too, and provide a strong base to support the prime movers of aerobic activity - the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles.
Aerobic exercise itself trains accessory and stabilizing muscles only minimally. So strength training is needed to complete the biomechanical picture and allow you to get the most out of your aerobic training.
Similarly, aerobic exercise strengthens your cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. Your cardiac stroke volume increases, meaning your heart is pumping more blood each time it contracts. Your lung capacity increases so you take in more air (and, therefore, more oxygen) with each breath. More air and more blood means more nutrients reaching hard-working muscles during your strength training sessions.

In effect, aerobic exercise and strength training complete each other. When you engage in both activities, consistently, week by week, you are maximizing your training benefits across the board.1,2,3 Together, these life-affirming activities help you paint a beautiful picture of vibrant health and well-being.

1Field T: Exercise research on children and adolescents. Complement Ther Clin Pract 18(1):54-59, 2012

2Walsh NP, et al: Position statement. Part one: Immune function and exercise. Exerc Immunol Rev 17:6-63, 2011
3Sung J, et al: Prevalence of Coronary Atherosclerosis in Asymptomatic Middle-Age Men With High Aerobic Fitness. Am J Cardiol Dec 21 2011 (Epub ahead of print)

Exclusive Offer

New Patients Receive a Free Consultation

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Holistic Healing Chiropractic Hours

Monday:

By Appointment

Tuesday:

By Appointment

Wednesday:

By Appointment

Thursday:

By Appointment

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

Testimonials

Reviews By Our Satisfied Patients

  • "Very professional and personal care. Takes the time to explain in detail your condition. Focuses on long term success and behaviour changes rather than short term fixes."
    Noah K
  • "Dr. Gary is absolutely WONDERFUL! My whole experience here has been just perfect. I feel that he truly cares if I get better or not, and I look forward to my appointments. If you're looking for an AMAZING chiropractor, this is the place you want to visit!"
    Suzie B
  • "Dr Gary is the best! He is very knowledgeable and knows what he is doing. I highly recommend anyone to seek him for help."
    Krystal D
  • "Dr. Draper knows the body; not only physically, but mentally as well. He's got machines throughout the office that can help treat both the body and the brain. He cares about each patients' wellbeing, and takes a practical approach to finding the root cause of whatever might be ailing you. Highly recommended!"
    David W
  • "Eileen M recommends Holistic Healing Chiropractic.
    I can not say enough positive things about Dr. Gary, the inviting office atmosphere and friendly staff. Dr. Gary treats everyone with professional care, excellent service and a caring heart."
    Eileen M.
  • "He is the greatest doctor ever had! He goes above and beyond with my whole family, kids and dog. If it weren't for Dr. Gary I would not be able to work or live! We love the office and the staff!"
    Carolyn Oliver
  • "I have two herniated discs in my lower back. Because of my spinal decompression, I am much better and I don't think I will need back surgery."
    Mary W.
  • "I have three bulging disc's in my lower back, one of which is pressing against a nerve. Due to being in so much pain I have put a lot more pressure and such on my right foot as well. Doctors have given me medication that doesn't touch the pain, but Dr. Draper and Dr. Gary as most of his patients lovingly call him will reduce my pain level more than half in one visit. I can't Recommend this place enough."
    April Plexico
  • "Dr. Gary is a very knowledgeable and very caring person. He gives you 100 percent of his attention. So glad that we found him."
    Barbara Rourke Chappell
  • "Dr. Gary Draper and staff are OUTSTANDING!!"
    Erin Murray
  • "Friendly and knowledgeable staff with a welcoming atmosphere. The facilities are beautiful, and the hydrotherapy table is fantastic!"
    Courtney Stahl Stachowski
  • "very personalized, wonderful bedside manor, actually takes time to listen, I left feeling taller and was able to walk without pain."
    Meegan Clemons​
  • "5 stars"
    JR Rivas​
  • "Very caring and get results kind of a doctor. If you are looking for a quality docotr... schedule your appointment today!"
    Celia Ringstad
  • "Dr. Gary Draper is such a great doctor with cutting edge therapies. His knowledge and caring, positive attitude is unmatched! He has helped me with back issues, vertigo, and feet issues. He has helped athletic boys with all kinds of issues! I highly recommend Dr. Gary and Pierce Family Chiropractic for your whole family!"
    Elizabeth Gwyn Jones​

Featured Articles

Read about interesting topics

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Sign up for more articles