Although cardiovascular endurance is important, the training for it doesn’t do for us what strength training does. A heavy set with a big, compound barbell lift can be scary. A long run is just boring. Heaving the barbell strengthens my resolve. Pounding the pavement makes me tolerate tedium.
Perhaps this is why office workers [and maybe police and military personnel] prefer cardio over strength training. It prepares them for the drudgery of their jobs.
– Kyle Aaron
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E.D.M.
Feb 01, 2015 @ 12:19:03
For the record, I’m active duty. I, and just about everyone I work with, vastly prefers heavy weight lifting over cardio. We run because we have to, as that’s what we will be tested on. But very few actually get any enjoyment out of it.
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John M. Buol Jr.
Feb 01, 2015 @ 17:52:20
Beyond enjoyment, does LSD cardio better prepare people physically than strength training? Aerobics and their value was espoused by Dr. Ken Cooper, a cardiologist and runner with no strength training background. Barbell training provides the same health benefits and additional benefits. For the record, I can max the Army APFT so this is not a “I don’t like running” bias.
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E.D.M.
Feb 01, 2015 @ 18:02:01
I don’t believe it does prepare any better. In fact, even the Cooper institute now tends towards higher intensity interval training over steady state cardio. There is a pretty significant research base being built up right now that shows strength training with sufficient intensity, as well as occasional sprint sessions, is extremely effective at building cardiovascular health.
Running long distance is, more or less, a specialized skill. I think most military units that continue to spend time running long distances are doing so more out of tradition than health reasons. I’ve read several articles declaring that a better fitness test (for both military and civilian) would be a one mile run and a tougher strength component. But too many would look at that as “easy.”
In the end, IMO, training to routinely run into the double digit miles, or doing shorter distances with full pack, is done more to demonstrate tolerance for pain than to actually build capability. But, I’m just a POG/REMF/Fobbit compared to the guys who routinely do this stuff, so I can’t speak to experience. My AFSC doesn’t involve shooting things or carrying 90 lbs of gear.
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John M. Buol Jr.
Feb 01, 2015 @ 18:20:29
I’m in complete agreement, having installed a platform and rack in my garage. The military folks in the StartingStrength.com are very sharp (and strong)
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John M. Buol Jr.
Feb 02, 2015 @ 04:16:35
Commonwealth militaries now use the Leger (“Beep”) Test instead of a distance run for a cardio test.
I’ve found that strength training greatly reduces many physical issues/complaints had by aging. It’s not a fountain of youth but it helps.
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Colorado Pete
Feb 04, 2015 @ 01:42:32
“I’ve found that strength training greatly reduces many physical issues/complaints had by aging. It’s not a fountain of youth but it helps.”
Amen to that brother!
I started my morning by sliding down a flight of stairs on my butt. Not on purpose. No broken ends of bones sticking out, so I went to work.
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