People don't like cardio...?
sophiegrace543
Posts: 143 Member
I've been on this site a while now but I'd say I'm only really starting to get to grips with fitness and nutrition. I've seen a lot of people on here not really being big fans of cardio or, more importantly, not thinking it's very helpful or effective. My main goal at the moment is just losing weight and I absolutely love cardio - I find that HIIT videos (my favourites are FitnessBlender's) are brilliant because I can get really sweaty and a good calorie burn without putting in loads of time (time which I don't have). I'm not arguing with people's POVs, I'm just confused and would like someone to explain why some people don't think cardio is very effective.
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Replies
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Here is the math of cardio, pure and simple:
Without cardio:
- Eat 1200
- Burn 1700
- Loss, 1 lb per week on average.
With cardio:
- Eat 1700
- Burn 2200
- Loss, 1 lb per week on average.
Could you eat less with cardio and lose more? Yes, but over time, your body is going to start shutting things down to compensate for your excess.
Cardio is excellent for building cardiovascular health and endurance (two very important fitness areas), but it should otherwise be a wash in your fat loss program.0 -
I'm not one of those people. I love cardio and do more than 15 hours a week. I like putting those old wive's tales to the test like "you can't out exercise a bad diet..."... "Okay, but let me try".
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I don't do it because it bores me.0
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Cardio (like weight lifting) is for health and fitness. CICO is for weight loss. I'm not a cardio fan, but do it because as I age, I KNOW it's better for my heart. But I'd much rather weight lift because firm muscles look and feel better and I don't get that from just doing cardio.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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Cardio (like weight lifting) is for health and fitness. CICO is for weight loss. I'm not a cardio fan, but do it because as I age, I KNOW it's better for my heart. But I'd much rather weight lift because firm muscles look and feel better and I don't get that from just doing cardio.
My High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is 99. Above 60 is considered optimal for protecting your heart.0 -
"Effective" depends on your goals.
If you want to lose some weight, then cardio can work just fine. However, resistance training (bodyweight or otherwise) causes microtrauma to the muscles which must be repaired, which burns more calories after you've finished working out.
This effect it's much smaller, if not nonexistent, for something like steady state cardio. (Granted there are many, many ways to do cardio including circuits, barbell complexes, and others that combine resistance and cardio).
In this manner it could be argued that, for weight loss, resistance training is more efficient, but that doesn't make cardio ineffective.
I generally only add cardio to my routine when I notice my conditioning is limiting the weight I can move on the gym, but that's mostly because it bores me and I'd rather be lifting
If you enjoy it, then by all means keep at it! It can be beneficial to weight loss as long as your not overeating to compensate for the energy used up.0 -
Thank you for explaining it to me, everyone.
I genuinely enjoy doing cardio - stuff like HIIT makes me focus on just it because it's so intense, making it so good for clearing my head. Lifting unfortunately for me isn't an option because I can't afford the £40 per month memberships of my local gyms... Maybe when I move areas later this year I can start.0 -
RMaxwell90 wrote: »"Effective" depends on your goals.
If you want to lose some weight, then cardio can work just fine. However, resistance training (bodyweight or otherwise) causes microtrauma to the muscles which must be repaired, which burns more calories after you've finished working out.
This effect it's much smaller, if not nonexistent, for something like steady state cardio. (Granted there are many, many ways to do cardio including circuits, barbell complexes, and others that combine resistance and cardio).
In this manner it could be argued that, for weight loss, resistance training is more efficient, but that doesn't make cardio ineffective.
I generally only as cardio to my routine when I notice my conditioning is limiting the weight I can move on the gym, but that's mostly because it bores me and is rather be lifting
If you enjoy it, then by all means keep at it! It can be beneficial to weight loss as long as your not overeating to compensate for the energy used up.
I try to add in some resistance training too - that what I love about the FitnessBlender videos. I try not to overeat to compensate and I'm generally pretty good at staying within my goals but burning a few extra calories through doing predominantly cardio is useful being a young woman who can't resist a night out with friends!
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Cardio is excellent for heart health and blood pressure. It's definitely worth the time to do.0
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RMaxwell90 wrote: »"Effective" depends on your goals.
If you want to lose some weight, then cardio can work just fine. However, resistance training (bodyweight or otherwise) causes microtrauma to the muscles which must be repaired, which burns more calories after you've finished working out.
This effect it's much smaller, if not nonexistent, for something like steady state cardio. (Granted there are many, many ways to do cardio including circuits, barbell complexes, and others that combine resistance and cardio).
In this manner it could be argued that, for weight loss, resistance training is more efficient, but that doesn't make cardio ineffective.
I generally only add cardio to my routine when I notice my conditioning is limiting the weight I can move on the gym, but that's mostly because it bores me and I'd rather be lifting
If you enjoy it, then by all means keep at it! It can be beneficial to weight loss as long as your not overeating to compensate for the energy used up.
Strong first post newbie. 0 -
I don't really like it, but current endurance goals require me to do it. I don't think it's ineffective, though. I just prefer lifting.0
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sophiegrace543 wrote: »I've been on this site a while now but I'd say I'm only really starting to get to grips with fitness and nutrition. I've seen a lot of people on here not really being big fans of cardio or, more importantly, not thinking it's very helpful or effective. My main goal at the moment is just losing weight and I absolutely love cardio - I find that HIIT videos (my favourites are FitnessBlender's) are brilliant because I can get really sweaty and a good calorie burn without putting in loads of time (time which I don't have). I'm not arguing with people's POVs, I'm just confused and would like someone to explain why some people don't think cardio is very effective.
I've never seen anyone on this site say that cardio isn't beneficial in regards to health. In regards to working on body composition, that's different.0 -
Correct, but having good HDL levels doesn't attribute to the efficiency of heart contraction strength.Cardio (like weight lifting) is for health and fitness. CICO is for weight loss. I'm not a cardio fan, but do it because as I age, I KNOW it's better for my heart. But I'd much rather weight lift because firm muscles look and feel better and I don't get that from just doing cardio.
My High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is 99. Above 60 is considered optimal for protecting your heart.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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You don't need a gym to resistance train though. Pushups, pullups, one legged squats, one arm pushups against a wall, etc. don't need anything but bodyweight.sophiegrace543 wrote: »Thank you for explaining it to me, everyone.
I genuinely enjoy doing cardio - stuff like HIIT makes me focus on just it because it's so intense, making it so good for clearing my head. Lifting unfortunately for me isn't an option because I can't afford the £40 per month memberships of my local gyms... Maybe when I move areas later this year I can start.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
0 -
Cardio (like weight lifting) is for health and fitness. CICO is for weight loss. I'm not a cardio fan, but do it because as I age, I KNOW it's better for my heart. But I'd much rather weight lift because firm muscles look and feel better and I don't get that from just doing cardio.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Technically, lifting is a type of HIIT which means that although it's focus isn't mainly improving cardio, it is still some type of cardio. You are still working on endurance and improving heart health.
I'm not sure if when we are saying cardio we are just talking about steady state because HIIT is both resistance training and cardio and what about complexes? That's technically lifting and cardio as well.0 -
I don't enjoy it. I find it painful and boring. My current goals don't require it, but I do a little anyway. I enjoy lifting and combined with appropriate calorie intake it gets me to my goals with little need for cardio.0
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I just dont enjoy traditional cardio. Luckily for me, i'm a roller derby girl so I get about 7 hours of cardio a week in the form of skating, so when I'm at the gym it's pure lifts.0
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Cardio is the most fun! I started doing it long before anyone told me to, and sometimes even when told not to. I would still do it even if it weren't good for me.
Things like hiking, sports, riding bikes, playing ... these are things I wouldn't want to live without.
Enclosing myself in a germy room of sweaty strangers so I can pick up and put down heavy things.
No thanks! I'd rather go climb a tree. 0 -
ShellyBell999 wrote: »RMaxwell90 wrote: »"Effective" depends on your goals.
If you want to lose some weight, then cardio can work just fine. However, resistance training (bodyweight or otherwise) causes microtrauma to the muscles which must be repaired, which burns more calories after you've finished working out.
This effect it's much smaller, if not nonexistent, for something like steady state cardio. (Granted there are many, many ways to do cardio including circuits, barbell complexes, and others that combine resistance and cardio).
In this manner it could be argued that, for weight loss, resistance training is more efficient, but that doesn't make cardio ineffective.
I generally only add cardio to my routine when I notice my conditioning is limiting the weight I can move on the gym, but that's mostly because it bores me and I'd rather be lifting
If you enjoy it, then by all means keep at it! It can be beneficial to weight loss as long as your not overeating to compensate for the energy used up.
Strong first post newbie.
Haha, why thank you. Had to start strong!0 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »
Enclosing myself in a germy room of sweaty strangers so I can pick up and put down heavy things. No thanks! I'd rather go climb a tree.
You always find a way to throw in a rude, backhanded comment don't you?
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Cardio is the most fun! I started doing it long before anyone told me to, and sometimes even when told not to. I would still do it even if it weren't good for me.
Things like hiking, sports, riding bikes, playing ... these are things I wouldn't want to live without.
Enclosing myself in a germy room of sweaty strangers so I can pick up and put down heavy things. No thanks! I'd rather go climb a tree.
Umm...who says you have to do that to lift weights? Lots of people have their own gyms in garages (w/ door open) or even just out on their patio.
There's also gyms that have stuff outdoors to workout with and then there's body routines you could also do outside so....0 -
I love cardio. I didn't enjoy weight training when I was doing it regularly. I think they're both good for various reasons. Do what you'll stick with is what I always hear!0
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »
Enclosing myself in a germy room of sweaty strangers so I can pick up and put down heavy things. No thanks! I'd rather go climb a tree.
You always find a way to throw in a rude, backhanded comment don't you?
:laugh:0 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »
Enclosing myself in a germy room of sweaty strangers so I can pick up and put down heavy things. No thanks! I'd rather go climb a tree.
You always find a way to throw in a rude, backhanded comment don't you?
basically0 -
adwilliams03 wrote: »Do what you'll stick with is what I always hear!
That's the main thing. If I had to run on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike for cardio, I would probably hate it, too. Once I found cardio I genuinely enjoyed, it makes it easy as I don't ever really feel like I'm doing cardio. I'm just out with my friends riding bicycles.
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Cardio is the most fun! I started doing it long before anyone told me to, and sometimes even when told not to. I would still do it even if it weren't good for me.
Things like hiking, sports, riding bikes, playing ... these are things I wouldn't want to live without.
Enclosing myself in a germy room of sweaty strangers so I can pick up and put down heavy things. No thanks! I'd rather go climb a tree.
Please remember to fall out of that tree.0 -
IMO, I think there needs to be a balanced approach to fitness/weight loss. That is partly why I like P90X3 so much. It provides a well rounded approach - weight training, body weight training, cardio, flexibility, balance, agility, etc. I am 40 y/o and have done 1 round of it and am 2/3 of the way through a second round. In addition, I run/bike 15-25 miles per week (cardio) but only because I am trying fro a 1/2 marathon and triathlon shortly after that. I have lost 40 lbs, and reached my goal weight, since October 2014.
Long story short - I don't think it has to be an either/or proposition. I think a balanced plan is the answer0 -
herrspoons wrote: »It's boring, so I do an hour a week at best.
this pretty much sums up my opinion on it....0 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »
Enclosing myself in a germy room of sweaty strangers so I can pick up and put down heavy things. No thanks! I'd rather go climb a tree.
You always find a way to throw in a rude, backhanded comment don't you?
The opinion wasn't backhanded. I said exactly what I mean. And it wasn't meant to be rude, it's simply my opinion. Please don't take it as a judgement of what you do. I embrace diversity. Do what you enjoy.0 -
PikaKnight wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Cardio is the most fun! I started doing it long before anyone told me to, and sometimes even when told not to. I would still do it even if it weren't good for me.
Things like hiking, sports, riding bikes, playing ... these are things I wouldn't want to live without.
Enclosing myself in a germy room of sweaty strangers so I can pick up and put down heavy things. No thanks! I'd rather go climb a tree.
Umm...who says you have to do that to lift weights? Lots of people have their own gyms in garages (w/ door open) or even just out on their patio.
There's also gyms that have stuff outdoors to workout with and then there's body routines you could also do outside so....
Nobody said it, including me. I do lift weights occassionally.0
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