Combining cardio and strength training?

[MrAlaska]

Infomercials and sales literature abound with claims of various machines giving you an effective cardio workout while working your muscles at the same time. On fitness sites and forums the two seem to be treated as two separate entities.

Currently, on alternative days I will crank the resistance up on the elliptical machine as much as I can take it then work as hard as I need to keep my pulse in my target zone. I end up with sore muscle groups and feel the need to turn down the resistance the next day to let them heal. Am I just fooling myself? Is there any strength benefit to turning up the resistance?

 

[RJAZ520]

All forms of excercise in which you are not used to cause the body to adapt, its adaptation usually results in increased strength, wether it be cardiovascualar, muscle explosion power or muscle endurance, (i might have missed something else) training for and seeing improvements is increasing your "strength"

You can still benefit even more by adding resistance training liek using free weights

 

[MrAlaska]

Thanks! I guess my attempt is not to maximize the benefit but simply to prevent the degredation of muscle. Turning up the resistance is, for me, an attempt to minimize loss of muscle while working in a caloric deficit. My primary goal is cardio.