12-20-2009, 02:23 PM
What are your goals? Are long runs for your physical health or do you just enjoy them? Are you trying to lose body fat? Are you incorporating resistance training?
Too many people focus on steady state cardio activity. Intervals can do a great deal to increase VO2 and workouts are shorter. Neglecting muscle mass which decreases as we age is as bad as neglecting cardio health. Body weight exercises are only fine for a start. You cannot increase muscle mass without progressive increases in weights. Which means resistance training is necessary.
If overall health is your goal you should mix it up. Cross training is a way to do that. Look into cross fit programs. Or make up your own including steady state cardio, interval training, and resistance training.
Too many people focus on steady state cardio activity. Intervals can do a great deal to increase VO2 and workouts are shorter. Neglecting muscle mass which decreases as we age is as bad as neglecting cardio health. Body weight exercises are only fine for a start. You cannot increase muscle mass without progressive increases in weights. Which means resistance training is necessary.
If overall health is your goal you should mix it up. Cross training is a way to do that. Look into cross fit programs. Or make up your own including steady state cardio, interval training, and resistance training.