Wondering out loud...

[alexpgp]

So the other day, it seemed to me that pedaling the stationary bicycle was wa-a-ay too easy, so I really cranked up the tension on the resistance wheel, and now I find myself thoroughly exhausted—muscle-wise—after about 20 minutes.

Now I'm trying to figure out—based on the copious appearance of sweat that continues to be produced for a while after a 40-minute workout at lower resistance, and the sort-of "wobbly" feeling I experience in my arm and leg muscles after a 20-minute, mostly sweatless workout at the high resistance level—which is the better workout?

Or do they each have their respective advantages? Or is there no difference at all?

Because besides whatever other benefits that might accrue, I am aiming for "best immune system on the block," to help me in the Good Fight™.

Comments

[adoptedwriter.livejournal.com]

Sweating out toxins is a good thing. 20 minutes of strength training is also a good thing. I would alternate days, depending on your goals. Just my 2 cents as a fitness instructor.

AW

[alexpgp.livejournal.com]

FWIW, your assessment jives with that of my doctor (I sent a somewhat expanded version of my post to her, earlier).

Cheers...

P.S. Gossamer Steamroller is averaging just over 11 per team member, as of a few moments ago. Last place among teams, methinks. :(

[platofish.livejournal.com]

Neither workout is 'better', they are just somewhat different and do slightly different things. In general, longer periods of exertion will build endurance, whereas higher intensity for shorter periods will be building strength. Also the former is deeply aerobic, whereas the latter will be pushing you more towards anaerobic.

If you are really curious you should buy a heart rate monitor (even a cheap one will be more than good enough) and correlate heart rate with effort/sweating. When I'm working out really hard (heart rate over 150bpm) I don't sweat nearly as much as I do when I'm keeping things aerobic (125 bpm).

[platofish.livejournal.com]

As with most things in life, the key is moderation. I got pretty sick as a result of training for a marathon. I was running miles a day, then going to the gym to do an hour or more strength training. I looked fitter than a butcher's dog, but eventually my body said 'enough' and I came down with a nasty chesty infection that persisted for months.