December 2025 Newsletter

{{contact.first_name}}, is cardio cringe?

According to a new report, many members of Gen Z think so.

A recent EGYM report stated that 31% of current gym members fall in the 18-34 range, and the No. 1 activity for this group is strength training, not cardiovascular training.

For Millennials, treadmills are on top, but strength training is gaining ground rapidly. Gen X and the older crowd still tend to favor cardio, too.

Whatever age group you’re in, here’s the lowdown on strength training and cardio.

From 1970 to 2000 or so, cardiovascular training was the thing in gyms. You know what I’m talking about: rows and rows of treadmills and ellipticals and bikes and rowers. People still lifted weights and used strength-training machines back then, but cardio was more popular. 

After 2000, strength training and lifting started to gain momentum, and as we head into 2026, younger people tend to prioritize these activities.

So what’s best? 

First, any activity is better than no activity, so if you’re moving, you’re winning. 

But to optimize results, we usually recommend a blend of strength and conditioning. The activities are complementary, they promote well-rounded fitness and health, and they produce the aesthetic results many people are after (if they add in sound nutrition).

Strength training alone does not have a huge effect on stamina and endurance. Yes, high-intensity lifting can help improve cardiovascular fitness to a degree, but a well-rounded fitness program will include some longer, lower-intensity cardio workouts, too. 

That doesn’t mean you need to spend 90 minutes on the treadmill every day—unless you are training for a long endurance event. In most cases, a good coach can help you improve cardiovascular fitness with shorter workouts a few times a week.

On the other hand, cardio doesn’t build strength or muscle size. To get stronger or add muscle, you’ll need to lift—and many people are after a muscled look these days. To build strength, you’ll need to lift heavy loads for low reps. To add muscle, it’s medium-heavy loads and about 6-12 reps per set.

So what happens if you just do cardio? In general, endurance athletes carry less muscle and have less strength than lifters, but they can often run, bike and swim long distances at impressive speeds. 

And if you only lift? Some very strong people get winded going up stairs or jogging to catch a bus, and some people who prioritize lifting might reduce body fat by adding workouts that burn calories and produce elevated heart rates for longer periods. 

So should you do cardio or strength training? 

The answer is “yes!” for most people.

But seriously, we recommend both for the general exerciser, though the balance will be tailored to your exact goals. 

If you have very specific sports goals—such as a competing in a powerlifting meet or half-marathon—we would adjust that plan further to ensure success, and it might focus just on lifting or cardio training. 

If you or someone you know has questions about the ideal blend of strength and conditioning, let’s talk! Free consultations are always available here [LINK].

[NAME]