The single great truth to exercise: it's all the same. Seriously -– all exercise is both strength training, and cardiovascular training, and neuromuscular training. It's merely a question of what particular aspects are emphasized. In this issue we'll be looking at the details that all exercise share in common, the better to choose a workout that will achieve your personal goals -– end the lower back pain, or just look sexy in that swimsuit!

Neuromuscular development: When you perform a particular movement, it's much like studying a textbook. Each repetition further ingrains the movement in your mind, so that it becomes easier to recall and perform. Many strength training movements correspond to everyday tasks, such as the deadlift, the military press, or the pushup. But with such activities as martial arts, dancing, yoga, or pilates, the movements are both more complicated, and carry over into regular movement. Translation: dancers dance even when they're walking...to the delight of those observing them...

Cardiovascular training: your cardiovascular system is a combination of your respitory system (lungs, windpipe, and diaphragm) and your cardiac system (heart and blood vessels). Together these parts are responsible for supplying oxygenated blood to the muscles, and ferrying along blood engorged with waste products to be cleansed from the muscles. Training your cardiovascular system results in an increase in your VO/2 max, the amount of oxygenated blood you can pump to your muscles at any given time. Increasing your VO/2 max reduces the likelihood of feeling that “knife” in your side that is the result of insufficient oxygen reaching the muscles during periods of high exertion (sprinting, heavy weightlifting, fighting, etc). Increased VO/2 means increased energy, for a more vibrant appearance as well as the capacity to do more in a day.

Strength training: also called resistance training, because strength is using the muscles to overcome resistance in order to move -– be it gravity, a heavy object, the water one is swimming in, or something you just hit with a weapon in an attempt to cut through it. As you improve your ability to overcome resistance, your muscles become firmer, more toned, as well as better able to perform the tasks required of them. Let's look at the individual muscle groups, and what benefits may be had from strengthening them:

Abdomen: I figured you'd want to read about this one first, so allow me to satisfy...ahem. Fat deposits on the belly cannot be removed by strength training alone. However, strengthening the muscles of the abdomen causes the belly to tighten up, fighting gravity's effect of pulling the belly fat down, resulting in a thinner, more shapely waistline. In addition, strengthening the abdomen provides assistance to the back muscles in the tasks they perform, which means reduced or eliminated back pain.

Back and shoulders: the muscles of the back and shoulders are responsible for many common tasks performed during the day, and strengthening them has a salutary effect upon your ability to do the things you have to do, be it hug a child in your arms, or lift a heavy box. Not only that, but stronger back and shoulder muscles helps create a naturally erect posture, with strong shoulders pulled back and strong back kept straight. Whether you are tall or short, a statuesque posture enhances one's appearance. Strength breeds confidence, and confidence...is sexy.

Arms: your arms are exceedingly unlikely to ever achieve more than minimal hypertrophy; Linda Hamilton's appearance in the movie “Terminator 2” is the most extreme that most non-enhanced (i.e. steroid users) women can achieve. Firm toned arms are attractive; more importantly a woman who can carry heavy things looks and acts more attractive. Again, look at video games and comic books. No kickass heroine was ever unable to carry    more >>