Why More Cardio Isn’t Better After 40
You’ve been taught that cardio is the key to fat loss and fitness, but it might actually be counterproductive if you are relying only on cardio for fat loss.
If you are noticing that your body responds differently to exercise than it did when you are younger, you are not alone. After 40, we need to take into account what our body needs and pay attention to how our bodies respond to exercise - and adapt.
In this video I’m sharing:
Why more cardio isn’t always better after 40
The missing piece women often overlook
and How to balance strength and cardio without feeling overwhelmed.
Resources Mentioned In This Video:
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What’s in the Video
Why Cardio Isn’t Enough After 40
Our society has trained us to focus on the calories burned during exercise. If you use a fitness tracker, you’re likely checking that calorie count after every session. While cardio is effective and healthy, its benefits fade shortly after the workout ends. After 40, hormone changes and natural muscle loss can make all that cardio feel like a diminishing return on investment.
But here’s the good news – the solution isn’t more hours at the gym or more exhaustion! It’s about focusing on the right kind of work that gives you more return for your effort.
The Missing Piece: Combining Cardio and Strength
When you incorporate strength training, you may be disappointed by the calorie count shown on your watch. While a strength training session might not display as many calories burned during the session, it does so much more than just burn calories. It helps build and maintain lean muscle, which keeps your metabolism active even when you’re resting. And after 40, building muscle mass becomes crucial not only for boosting your metabolism, but also enhancing strength, and improving longevity.
Strength training also fortifies your bones and joints—elements critical as we age. It’s not about overhauling your life but adding a beneficial component to your routine.
Balancing Cardio and Strength for Maximum Effectiveness
Cardio is vital for heart health and stress relief. It can also be downright fun! But if that’s all you're doing, you're missing out on muscle building and the strength needed for everyday activities like carrying groceries or keeping up with kids or family, and the confidence that comes from feeling strong in your own body.
The idea is to train smarter, not harder, balancing cardio with strength. Here’s how to get started: If you're doing cardio four to five times a week, switch two of those sessions to strength training. A 30-minute full-body workout twice a week can be incredibly effective. Keep the cardio you enjoy on other days, and gradually build from there.
Let go of the notion that you need to do it all. We’re often made to feel like we have to do more—be better and smarter. I’m here to tell you that you don’t need to do it all, all the time. Instead, make what you’re already doing more effective.
And remember, every small habit you build paves the path to a stronger and healthier future you!
