Resistance Training vs. Cardio for Heart Health: What Actually Matters
Greg Goldberger • February 4, 2026
Why strength training and cardio both play a critical role in long-term heart health
Heart health is often reduced to one recommendation: do more cardio. While endurance training plays an important role, it is only one piece of how the cardiovascular system adapts to stress. In this episode, Dr. Greg breaks down why resistance training also plays a critical role in heart health and why a balanced approach matters.
The conversation explores what “cardio” and resistance training actually mean from a physical therapy perspective. While traditional cardio improves the endurance of the heart, resistance training challenges the heart to respond to short bursts of high demand. Because the heart is a muscle, training it to be strong and adaptable is just as important as training it for endurance.
This episode also addresses common misconceptions around weight loss and cardiovascular fitness. Dr. Greg explains how resistance training impacts metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and overall cardiovascular demand differently than steady state cardio, and why exercise selection such as compound versus isolated movements can significantly influence heart health outcomes.
Ultimately, the episode highlights why well rounded training programs that include both aerobic and anaerobic exercise support better heart health, performance, and longevity. Whether your goal is weight loss, improved fitness, or simply staying healthy for daily life, understanding how different forms of exercise stress the heart can help you train smarter.
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