Is cardio cringe? Apparently, Gen Z thinks so.
At CrossFit Tannum Sands, we see this shift every day. More people are moving away from long, boring cardio sessions and towards strength training and functional fitness that actually delivers results.
Recent fitness industry data (including large-scale reports from companies like EGYM) backs this up. Younger gym-goers are prioritising lifting, conditioning, and CrossFit-style training over traditional cardio machines. Treadmills and bikes still have their place, but they’re no longer the centrepiece — especially for people under 35.
Trends aside, the real question is this: what actually works for fat loss, strength, and long-term fitness.
A brief history of cardio vs Strength Training
From the 1970s through to the early 2000s, gyms were dominated by cardio. Rows of treadmills, bikes, and ellipticals filled the floor. Strength training existed, but cardio was marketed as the main path to weight loss and health.
Fast forward to today and people want more. They want to be stronger, fitter, and capable in everyday life — not just tired and sweaty. That shift is a big reason CrossFit and functional training gyms have grown so rapidly.
Is cardio or strength training better?
In CrossFit, we don’t pick sides.
First, the obvious but important truth: any movement is better than no movement. If you’re exercising at all, that’s a win.
But if your goal is sustainable fat loss, improved fitness, and real strength, random workouts or cardio-only routines won’t cut it.
CrossFit works because it combines strength training and conditioning in a structured, coached way. These aren’t competing goals — they’re complementary.
Benefits of strength training:
• Builds muscle and strength
• Improves bone density
• Boosts metabolism
• Supports long-term fat loss
Benefits of cardio and conditioning:
• Improves heart and lung health
• Builds stamina and endurance
• Increases work capacity for daily life
When you combine both, you build a body that performs — not just one that looks fit.
Why CrossFit cardio is different
When people say they hate cardio, they usually mean long, boring treadmill sessions.
CrossFit conditioning looks nothing like that.
It’s shorter, more effective, and built into workouts that include lifting, running, rowing, jumping, pushing, and pulling. You train your cardiovascular fitness while moving loads and your own body through space — exactly how real life works.
And no, CrossFit doesn’t mean high intensity every single day. Good CrossFit programming balances intensity, recovery, and progression to avoid burnout and injury.
What happens if you only do one type of training?
Only lift weights and you might be strong — but breathless walking up stairs or chasing your kids.
Only do cardio and you might be fit — but struggle when things get heavy, awkward, or physical.
CrossFit prepares you for both.
That’s the difference between training to look fit and training to be fit.
Is CrossFit suitable for beginners?
Yes — absolutely.
CrossFit is fully scalable. Every workout can be adjusted for age, fitness level, injuries, or experience. You don’t need to be fit to start CrossFit — you get fit by starting.
Whether your goal is weight loss, strength training, improved fitness, or overall health, CrossFit provides a balanced approach that works long term.
What does real fitness actually look like?
At CrossFit Tannum Sands, we define fitness as being ready for whatever life throws at you.
That means:
• Lifting heavy things safely
• Moving your body efficiently
• Getting your heart rate up and recovering well
• Having the strength and stamina to handle daily life, work, kids, sport, and stress
This is why CrossFit focuses on constantly varied, functional movements performed at varying intensities. You don’t train one system in isolation. You train the whole body — strength, cardio, coordination, balance, and power — together.
How CrossFit balances strength and cardio
A typical week of CrossFit training includes:
• Dedicated strength work (squats, deadlifts, presses, Olympic lifts)
• Short, high-intensity conditioning workouts
• Longer, lower-intensity aerobic sessions
• Skill development and mobility work
This balance is intentional. You build strength without neglecting your engine, and you improve your fitness without sacrificing muscle or joint health.
Importantly, workouts are coached and scaled. That means the intensity is appropriate for you, not the fittest person in the room.
What about fat loss?
This is where a lot of people get stuck.
Cardio-only programs burn calories, but they don’t do much to change your body composition long term. Strength training builds muscle, which increases your resting metabolic rate — meaning you burn more energy even when you’re not training.
CrossFit combines both. You lift to build muscle and protect metabolism, and you condition to improve fitness and calorie burn. When paired with sensible nutrition, this approach supports sustainable fat loss, not quick fixes.
Why long-term consistency beats trends
Fitness trends come and go. Cardio-only phases. Bootcamps. Random workouts. Influencer programs.
What actually works is consistency — showing up, following a plan, and training in a way that supports your body long term.
CrossFit is effective because it’s not random. Programming follows principles of progression, balance, and recovery. Over time, members get stronger, fitter, and more confident — not broken or burnt out.
Is CrossFit safe?
This is one of the most common questions we hear.
CrossFit, when coached properly, is safe and effective. At CrossFit Tannum Sands, every session is led by a qualified coach who ensures movements are taught, loads are appropriate, and workouts are scaled to individual ability.
You don’t need to be fit to start. You don’t need experience. You just need to be willing to begin.
Who is CrossFit Tannum Sands for?
CrossFit isn’t just for elite athletes. It’s for:
• Beginners who want structure and guidance
• Busy adults who want efficient workouts
• People looking to lose weight and get stronger
• Locals who want a supportive fitness community
If your goal is to feel better, move better, and build confidence in your body, CrossFit can work for you.
The bottom line: do you need cardio or strength training?
Cardio isn’t cringe. Strength training isn’t magic.
Doing only one is where people get stuck.
CrossFit works because it blends strength training, conditioning, and functional movement — intelligently, safely, and with coaching.
If you’re tired of guessing what to do in the gym and want a plan built around your goals…
Book a No Sweat Intro at CrossFit Tannum Sands and let’s talk about how CrossFit can work for you.