Can I skip cardio and just strength train?
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Marykaylady2010
Posts: 69 Member
I am looking to loose weight but want to have a lean tone body when I finally take off the weight. I am tracking my food and eating at a deficit. I know that alone will help me loose do I need to do cardio and strength? What are the benefits/disadvantaged of doing both or wither or
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Replies
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Do the deficit for the "lean" part. Do the strength training for the "tone" part.
Skip the cardio unless you just want to improve your heart health, but it's not necessary for either of what you're looking to achieve.6 -
^Pretty much answers it. Deficit for losing weight. Cardio is better for just heart health and feeling fitter. If you just want to focus on toning up your body, you can choose to just strength train.0
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Cardio is great for health, fitness and helping add to your calorie deficit. But no, it is not necessary to maintain muscle/tone up. Follow a progressive lifting program, get adequate protein and don't go too steep in deficit for best chance at muscle retention.3
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Another thing is don't try to have the deficit too severe. Set MFP to maybe lose .5-1lbs a week. More than that it might affect your lifts faster than it needs to and you might lose more muscle mass than if you take it a bit slower.2
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Thanks I was really hoping that was the answer.3
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That's what I did/do.
The only time I was I did cardio is when I start getting into bikini mode and the weight loss is like the speed of death. Still, I don't do it because I loathe it.1 -
if you do some cardio with it you could have some extra calories to enjoy but it won't be necessary!0
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While I am not crazy about cardio, I do it as it tends to give me more energy. You can certainly forgo it and just strength train. I did one or the other, but now I do both..albeit the cardio is minimal (20 mins 3-4 times a week vs lifting 6 days a week for 1.5 hours).0
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I don't understand such an anti-cardio bias on a "fitness" message board.17
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I personally find cardio to be incredibly boring in the summer I don’t mind going for a jog or bike ride but stationary equipment makes me want to die. Most of the time I am in some way uncomfortable no matter what type of machine I use something starts to hurt or go numb. I do my strength workout with short rests in between and do work up a sweat. Lifting will give me long term results where as cardio gives me extra calories to eat for a moment I’d rather put the work in someplace else if I don’t need it to reach my goal4
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JerSchmare wrote: »
There are an infinite different ways to get in "cardio", it doesn't need to be mind numbing torture on a machine and its a HUGE component of overall fitness. I'll agree that many people misguidedly turn to cardio and expect results that only strength training can give, but to completely discount doing any cardio and being boastful about it as many people are, seems very short sighted.24 -
JerSchmare wrote: »
There are an infinite different ways to get in "cardio", it doesn't need to be mind numbing torture on a machine and its a HUGE component of overall fitness. I'll agree that many people misguidedly turn to cardio and expect results that only strength training can give, but to completely discount doing any cardio and being boastful about it as many people are, seems very short sighted.
Meh. I'm not being boastful. I spend time doing things I love and less or no time doing things I hate. And I think I'm pretty healthy and for as much of a hard time I give myself, think I look pretty decent without cardio. And I know there are forms of cardio I like...but I don't have time to join a *kitten* tennis club or volleyball team.2 -
JerSchmare wrote: »
There are an infinite different ways to get in "cardio", it doesn't need to be mind numbing torture on a machine and its a HUGE component of overall fitness. I'll agree that many people misguidedly turn to cardio and expect results that only strength training can give, but to completely discount doing any cardio and being boastful about it as many people are, seems very short sighted.
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JerSchmare wrote: »
There are an infinite different ways to get in "cardio", it doesn't need to be mind numbing torture on a machine and its a HUGE component of overall fitness. I'll agree that many people misguidedly turn to cardio and expect results that only strength training can give, but to completely discount doing any cardio and being boastful about it as many people are, seems very short sighted.
In the real world, when will I need to run up a steep hill?
If the light is about to change, I can make it across the street in time. If I need to run a few miles without stopping, I can. (Though I cannot think of one single time I have needed to run for more than 5 minutes for something). If something is chasing me, I can run away.
I lift things EVERY DAY. Constantly. I can't think of any reason I would need to run on a daily basis.
This said, I do CONSIDER my cardiovascular health. I want to move more. I think about doing cardio. I understand the benefits of doing enough for heart health.8 -
JerSchmare wrote: »
There are an infinite different ways to get in "cardio", it doesn't need to be mind numbing torture on a machine and its a HUGE component of overall fitness. I'll agree that many people misguidedly turn to cardio and expect results that only strength training can give, but to completely discount doing any cardio and being boastful about it as many people are, seems very short sighted.
I can only speak for myself but I don't think I was "anti" cardio. It's got great health benefits especially for cardiovascular health. But for the purpose of the question, "Do I need to do cardio and strength when one is looking to lose weight and is already tracking their food intake and eating a deficit?" I'd say cardio's not necessary. I gave a quick caveat that it's good for heart health but there's myriads of other benefits that can be had from cardio, I just didn't get into it as the question wasn't "What are the benefits of cardio and why should I do it?".2 -
JerSchmare wrote: »
There are an infinite different ways to get in "cardio", it doesn't need to be mind numbing torture on a machine and its a HUGE component of overall fitness. I'll agree that many people misguidedly turn to cardio and expect results that only strength training can give, but to completely discount doing any cardio and being boastful about it as many people are, seems very short sighted.
I walk up stairs multiple times a day as part of my life so I'd be fine. I don't know if being generally active counts as cardio, but it's what I do. And a few months ago I ran home for fun (I am not a runner at all) and I couldn't believe how easy it was with more lower body muscle.. my legs had so much power and speed..it was like riding on top of a horse.2 -
JerSchmare wrote: »
There are an infinite different ways to get in "cardio", it doesn't need to be mind numbing torture on a machine and its a HUGE component of overall fitness. I'll agree that many people misguidedly turn to cardio and expect results that only strength training can give, but to completely discount doing any cardio and being boastful about it as many people are, seems very short sighted.
I walk up stairs multiple times a day as part of my life so I'd be fine. I don't know if being generally active counts as cardio, but it's what I do. And a few months ago I ran home for fun (I am not a runner at all) and I couldn't believe how easy it was with more lower body muscle.. my legs had so much power and speed..it was like riding on top of a horse.
lol riding on top of a horse. I have an awesome image of you right now. It's very magical.1 -
JerSchmare wrote: »
There are an infinite different ways to get in "cardio", it doesn't need to be mind numbing torture on a machine and its a HUGE component of overall fitness. I'll agree that many people misguidedly turn to cardio and expect results that only strength training can give, but to completely discount doing any cardio and being boastful about it as many people are, seems very short sighted.
I walk up stairs multiple times a day as part of my life so I'd be fine. I don't know if being generally active counts as cardio, but it's what I do. And a few months ago I ran home for fun (I am not a runner at all) and I couldn't believe how easy it was with more lower body muscle.. my legs had so much power and speed..it was like riding on top of a horse.
lol riding on top of a horse. I have an awesome image of you right now. It's very magical.
... It really was magical.. I was my own unicorn1
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