When Strength Isn't Enough: Lessons from the Manitou Incline

Earlier this month, Rob and I hiked the Manitou Incline in Colorado — less than a mile long, but climbing more than 2,000 feet of elevation in that short distance. It’s basically a staircase to the sky — over 2,700 uneven steps with an average grade of around 40%. It was tough. My legs could handle it, thanks to all the strength work I do, but my breathing was another story. Even with a couple of days of cardio each week, my heart rate was redlining. I am sure the elevation and the fact that I’d been sick were factors, but damn! I couldn’t help but think — what if I didn’t train cardio at all?

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That hike reminded me of something we don’t talk about enough: being strong is not the same as being fit.

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In strength-focused gyms like ours, we tend to prioritize lifting (and for good reason). Strength training builds resilience, preserves muscle as we age, and gives us the ability to do things in life — carry groceries, play sports, move well into our 80s.

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But when your heart and lungs can’t keep up, all that strength has limits. Whether it’s hiking at altitude, running up stairs, or even powering through a long training session, cardio fitness determines how long you can sustain your strength.

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We aren't Vero Strength + Conditioning for nothing.

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Cardiovascular training doesn’t just help you “get less winded.” It improves recovery between sets. It boosts your energy for the rest of your day.  A well-trained heart moves more oxygen to your muscles, clears waste products more efficiently, and allows you to train at a higher intensity. That means you can lift harder, recover faster, and feel better. And outside the gym? It means you can climb mountains, chase your kids, or hike the Incline.

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This isn’t about becoming a marathoner or trading the barbell for a bike. It’s about balance. If you lift three or more days a week (with no cardiovascular training), you don’t necessarily need more strength work — you need one day of true, intentional conditioning. I’m talking about the kind of cardio that gets uncomfortable. The kind that makes you breathe heavy, sweat hard, and build capacity. It could be intervals on the air bike, a tough row, or a track workout. The goal is simple: train your heart with the same intent you train your muscles. (PS: this is the purpose of our Tuesday workouts.) 

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So here’s my takeaway — and my challenge to you:

If you’re someone who only strength trains, add one day of hard cardio each week. Just one. Not “active recovery,” not “steps,” but a session that makes you feel it.

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Add that one day of hard cardio and see what changes — not just in your workouts, but in how you live. The goal isn’t to train for exhaustion, it’s to train for capacity — the kind that lets you say yes to hikes, adventures, and any other challenges that make life more fun.