Cardio

lbaxandall

I hate cardio... is it necessary? I usually lift 4-5 times a week, 20-30 mins at a time, supersetting or dropsetting to get the most bang for my buck in the limited time I do have. Goals are just to trim up fat and maybe build a bit more muscle. Thoughts?

Chieflrg

Trimming or cutting fat is done by eating in a deficit.

Adding muscle is done by eating in a surplus while overloading the muscle with resistance training.

The only way to both simultaneously is to eat at maintenance while stimulating your muscles. Cardio can only change your maintenance level of calories but it won't help you build muscle nor lose fat on its own. So to answer your question, no it's not necessary.

sardelsa

Nope. It all comes down to calories.

I did zero cardio when I most recently lost my baby weight. I had really limited time, I was exhausted constantly but found time to lift weights 2-3x per week (30 min each) .. the result which was in line with my goals was maintaining muscle and lowering my BF%. After cutting down, I am now bulking (eating at surplus) to build muscle.

Azdak

You don't have to do traditional "cardio" exercise to get cardio training. Cardio training comes more from from the a movement is performed than the movement itself.

That being said, I don't recommend trying to make your strength workouts more "cardio-y" by reducing rest periods or thinking that an elevated heart rate during heavy squats is the same as an elevated heart rate during running. You'll end up doing a HA job of both.

You can do minimalist HIIT workouts or dynamic weight movements for basic conditioning, but keep the weight training workouts weight training workouts.

spiriteagle99

Cardio is good for your overall health. Walking, swimming, skiing, dancing, biking, etc. will all benefit your heart, lungs, etc. Find something you enjoy doing. It doesn't have to be in a gym.

OldAssDude

3 to 5 sessions of cardio and 1 to 3 sessions of muscular (150 minutes total) along with a well balanced healthy diet are recommended to maintain a good fitness level and body weight.

If you are not at a good fitness level and/or over weight, it is recommended to double the minutes.

rybo

Few things are truly necessary, but if you really are concerned with being healthy, having at least a modest cardiovascular base is important and makes everything else easier. There are so many ways to cardio work in that the "I hate cardio" excuse shouldn't be an excuse at all.

lbaxandall

Not overweight and pretty healthy, just kind of lazy haha. I walk my dog usually every day, weather permitting (it's -30 Celsius right now), so I think I'll just keep that my dominant form of cardio. Thanks for the input! I like hearing different perspectives.

bbell1985

I don't do it. I also hate it. I just keep NEAT in check and make sure I'm not sitting on my butt all the time. I DO complain about not being lean enough though...I hate dieting, but won't do the cardio to help with the deficit. I think I'll just stay this way and keep skipping the cardio.

subcounter

Depends on your goal. If it is simply to lose weight, no. You lose the weights in the kitchen really. As for muscle gain, again it is not necessary. You will get more 'bang for your buck' only doing weight training in terms of muscle gain, compared to a combination of the two.
I've seen people with huge physiques huffing and puffing after a brisk 1k run. So it really is up to you. Cardio is great for cardiovascular health, and I would incorporate it somehow in to the workouts though.