However, we can up-the-ante in the gym to make weight training have a bigger impact on our heart. To start, look at how much time you spend under tension. “That means working on the tempo so you spend more time lowering or lifting the weight and your heart rate stays elevated for more time,” says Alice.

Emma recommends doing supersets or circuits as well as decreasing the rest time between sets to make sure your weight training taps into the cardiovascular system. “If you do that then make sure your form is perfect as you’ll be moving faster through the movements and giving your body less recovery times so you’re at greater risk of injury,” she says.

If you’re more advanced, you can also do a type of training called interval weight training, which combines athletic lifts with aerobic exercise. “An alternative to that would be CrossFit style workouts as these challenge people across different domains and modalities,” Alice adds.

Can weight training be a form of cardio? Fitness trainers explain how to get your heart rate up during strength training