When should I stop Cardio?

7L551

Hey guys, so I stopped going to the gym for a while and now I decided to resume it starting tomorrow.
Now I a male who weights around 88-89 kg, am 21 and 175 cm. A calculator suggested that I reduce my weight to at least 79 kg and below but here is the thing I am not sure when to stop losing weight (doing cardio) and focusing mostly on weight lifting and building muscles.
So far I do both Cardio (Elliptical trainer only) and weight lifting (machines mostly) but I spend more time on cardio (90 min at least) and another 90 min on machines.
Should I only focus on Cardio for a certain period of time, should I keep doing what am doing or do more machines?
Also if I should focus on Cardio more when do I stop this focus and point more toward the machines?

Thank you and awaiting responses

salsera_barbie

I don't really get why people think there a point to do one or the other. You can lift weights and incorporate cardio in between reps. I don't like straight cardio and try to avoid it. Instead in between reps of lifting ill do burpies, high knees, jump squats, jumping jacks, etc. it kick my butt and burns more calories than doing the elliptical for 30 minutes.

7L551

Thanks for the reply.
I usually burn around 1100 kcalories for the 90 min on the elliptical but I do it after the weight lifting.
I don't really have problems with doing both but I was just worried that I might need some fat for muscle building :P
I am not sure if that is true but do I just keep doing this routine of mine?

just_Jennie1

Why would you stop cardio? I would cut down the cardio - maybe 30-45 min since 90 seems a bit excessive (heck I am hard pressed to do 90 minutes unless I break it up and do 2 sessions in one day) -- and continue with the lifting. When you say "machines" do you mean you're solely using machines for lifting? If so you should consider moving to free weights unless you're a complete beginner (based on your post I'm thinking you're on the "sort of" line). Machines are great for learning and if you're not quite sure what to do but free weights will give you the most bang for your buck.

I typically do 30 min. cardio followed by 45-75 min lifting. I do cardio before my weight lifting because I know if I don't then I'm just not going to do it. The way you do your workout depends on you and what works for you (you will get a lot of people who say cardio after lifting is how it should be which is true but it also depends on YOU and what YOU'RE going to stick to. As I said for ME if I don't do it before I won't do it at all).

What are you doing for your lifting?

youngcaseyr

As far as I know, it's perfectly fine to do both cardio and weight lifting or body weight workouts, but I recommend doing them on separate days. I used to do weights on the same day as cardio but I've gotten more results when I stagger my workouts and do cardio every other day and body weight workouts on the days in between. I would also recommend that, unless you're a professional athlete, you try keeping your workouts to a max of 45- 60 minutes or you put yourself at risk of overworking yourself and doing more damage than good.

salsera_barbie

Thanks for the reply.
I usually burn around 1100 kcalories for the 90 min on the elliptical but I do it after the weight lifting.
I don't really have problems with doing both but I was just worried that I might need some fat for muscle building :P
I am not sure if that is true but do I just keep doing this routine of mine?

You don't need fat to build muscle. Muscle is built by breaking down the fibers through lifting weight. Once they break down then they can rebuild bigger. Fat doesn't transform to muscle.

I would always change up routines. One cause your body will get used to it and to cause you'll get bored.

I do think 90 mins of cardio is excessive. I'd suggest 30-45 min of more intense cardio. Like HIIT

7L551

As far as I know, it's perfectly fine to do both cardio and weight lifting or body weight workouts, but I recommend doing them on separate days. I used to do weights on the same day as cardio but I've gotten more results when I stagger my workouts and do cardio every other day and body weight workouts on the days in between. I would also recommend that, unless you're a professional athlete, you try keeping your workouts to a max of 45- 60 minutes or you put yourself at risk of overworking yourself and doing more damage than good.

Thanks I'll actually give it a try during this week and the next one and check the results

7L551

Why would you stop cardio? I would cut down the cardio - maybe 30-45 min since 90 seems a bit excessive (heck I am hard pressed to do 90 minutes unless I break it up and do 2 sessions in one day) -- and continue with the lifting. When you say "machines" do you mean you're solely using machines for lifting? If so you should consider moving to free weights unless you're a complete beginner (based on your post I'm thinking you're on the "sort of" line). Machines are great for learning and if you're not quite sure what to do but free weights will give you the most bang for your buck.

I typically do 30 min. cardio followed by 45-75 min lifting. I do cardio before my weight lifting because I know if I don't then I'm just not going to do it. The way you do your workout depends on you and what works for you (you will get a lot of people who say cardio after lifting is how it should be which is true but it also depends on YOU and what YOU'RE going to stick to. As I said for ME if I don't do it before I won't do it at all).

What are you doing for your lifting?

Thanks, I used to do cardio on 2 sets as you said but then I left it till the end and felt that doing it for 90 min straight or doing a small rest (60 + 30) after the machines makes more sense to me.

Regarding the machines topic, I concentrate by a daily basis (3 day program) on different body parts [day 1-chest, triceps and shoulders , Day 2- Back and biceps, Day 3-Legs and Abs. I usually go for all the machines for the body part of the day in the gym
Sometimes I do abs along with Back or Chest as well.
honestly I went for the machines because I felt that they provide more focus on not only 1 muscle but multiples. Of course another reason is that I am still thinking that I have some weight that I need to burn before heading to lifting and I thought it was more advanced and required a bit more muscle.
but maybe am wrong XD + with machines there is only 1 way to move it while dumbbells and bars need a certain way that am afraid to do wrong.

ninerbuff

Thanks for the reply.
I usually burn around 1100 kcalories for the 90 min on the elliptical but I do it after the weight lifting.
I don't really have problems with doing both but I was just worried that I might need some fat for muscle building :P
I am not sure if that is true but do I just keep doing this routine of mine?

You don't need fat to build muscle. Muscle is built by breaking down the fibers through lifting weight. Once they break down then they can rebuild bigger. Fat doesn't transform to muscle.

Not quite. Muscle is built buy calorie surplus, higher protein synthesis and progressive overload. Just lifting weights alone (non progressive loads) isn't going to build any significant muscle.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

salsera_barbie

Thanks for the reply.
I usually burn around 1100 kcalories for the 90 min on the elliptical but I do it after the weight lifting.
I don't really have problems with doing both but I was just worried that I might need some fat for muscle building :P
I am not sure if that is true but do I just keep doing this routine of mine?

You don't need fat to build muscle. Muscle is built by breaking down the fibers through lifting weight. Once they break down then they can rebuild bigger. Fat doesn't transform to muscle.

Not quite. Muscle is built buy calorie surplus, higher protein synthesis and progressive overload. Just lifting weights alone (non progressive loads) isn't going to build any significant muscle.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Yep. I was trying to let her know that fat doesn't transform to muscle, which is what her statement made it sound like.

7L551

Yep. I was trying to let her know that fat doesn't transform to muscle, which is what her statement made it sound like.

I forgot to mention I am a male lol.
my bad I guess :P

Anyways, thanks for the info. You are right I was wrong about this :O

just_Jennie1

Why would you stop cardio? I would cut down the cardio - maybe 30-45 min since 90 seems a bit excessive (heck I am hard pressed to do 90 minutes unless I break it up and do 2 sessions in one day) -- and continue with the lifting. When you say "machines" do you mean you're solely using machines for lifting? If so you should consider moving to free weights unless you're a complete beginner (based on your post I'm thinking you're on the "sort of" line). Machines are great for learning and if you're not quite sure what to do but free weights will give you the most bang for your buck.

I typically do 30 min. cardio followed by 45-75 min lifting. I do cardio before my weight lifting because I know if I don't then I'm just not going to do it. The way you do your workout depends on you and what works for you (you will get a lot of people who say cardio after lifting is how it should be which is true but it also depends on YOU and what YOU'RE going to stick to. As I said for ME if I don't do it before I won't do it at all).

What are you doing for your lifting?

Thanks, I used to do cardio on 2 sets as you said but then I left it till the end and felt that doing it for 90 min straight or doing a small rest (60 + 30) after the machines makes more sense to me.

Regarding the machines topic, I concentrate by a daily basis (3 day program) on different body parts [day 1-chest, triceps and shoulders , Day 2- Back and biceps, Day 3-Legs and Abs. I usually go for all the machines for the body part of the day in the gym
Sometimes I do abs along with Back or Chest as well.
honestly I went for the machines because I felt that they provide more focus on not only 1 muscle but multiples. Of course another reason is that I am still thinking that I have some weight that I need to burn before heading to lifting and I thought it was more advanced and required a bit more muscle.
but maybe am wrong XD + with machines there is only 1 way to move it while dumbbells and bars need a certain way that am afraid to do wrong.

You don't need more muscle to lift. While cardio will help you drop the weight faster, lifting will build the muscle. I'm not knocking machines. I use machines for some exercises. There's really not a "certain way" you need to move dumbbells when lifting. Is there someone at the gym, perhaps a PT or someone who works there, that you can ask to show you some exercises with the dumbbells?

salsera_barbie

Yep. I was trying to let her know that fat doesn't transform to muscle, which is what her statement made it sound like.

I forgot to mention I am a male lol.
my bad I guess :P

Anyways, thanks for the info. You are right I was wrong about this :O

Sorry. It was just an assumption. Maybe the cute panda pic didn't help me think male either. Lol.

7L551

You don't need more muscle to lift. While cardio will help you drop the weight faster, lifting will build the muscle. I'm not knocking machines. I use machines for some exercises. There's really not a "certain way" you need to move dumbbells when lifting. Is there someone at the gym, perhaps a PT or someone who works there, that you can ask to show you some exercises with the dumbbells?

Well, I know some weight lifting with dumbbells and the bar. But I usually go alone to the gym and it feels kinda awkward to ask others all the time XD
I can try and ask some guys there, but as I mentioned in the post this is the first time I try this branch so I might stick with the machines for a week maybe? then ask some guy who looks like he knows what he is doing :P

7L551

Sorry. It was just an assumption. Maybe the cute panda pic didn't help me think male either. Lol.

lol no worries, I find the picture cute as well so I understand XD

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Akimajuktuq

Yep. I was trying to let her know that fat doesn't transform to muscle, which is what her statement made it sound like.

I forgot to mention I am a male lol.
my bad I guess :P

Anyways, thanks for the info. You are right I was wrong about this :O

Sorry. It was just an assumption. Maybe the cute panda pic didn't help me think male either. Lol.

Ummmm, that's a polar bear; the most dangerous creature on the planet. No, I don't recommend getting all cuddly with the "cute" polar bear.

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DavPul

i could be of more help if you could translate these numbers into American, but 180 minutes of exercise sounds like way too much. pro athletes don't train that much in a day.

taeliesyn

i could be of more help if you could translate these numbers into American, but 180 minutes of exercise sounds like way too much. pro athletes don't train that much in a day.

He's
5'7.5" & 195lbs

7L551

Thanks

salsera_barbie

i could be of more help if you could translate these numbers into American, but 180 minutes of exercise sounds like way too much. pro athletes don't train that much in a day.

LMAO. Did you just say to translate into "American"? What exactly is "American"?

rileyhall00

My Personal Trainer said only do 40-50min sessions. Cardio is great for dropping weight but with diet and weights it will drop off by itself. I only now do cardio if i look to go over my Daily Intake (usually thanks to booze) or basketball/basketball training. I do enjoy a run though so maybe once a week I might do 20min cardio and 40min weights.

Try and always do weights before cardio. I'll try to link the article later on, but all up you get a lot more out of your weights session and burn more out of your cardio.

Book a session with a PT and come up with a plan of attack for your gym session. Try to sneak in extra stuff outside of that too. Like walk the dog, take the stairs and park away from work if possible. With diet and that gym plan of attack, no doubt the weight will melt off over the months to come.

I'll do a friend req, keen to see how you will go with it.

Mr_Knight

Not sure I understand the question in the OP. If you want to remain fit and strong, you never stop either cardio or weights.

BlueBombers

I do 3 days weights 3 days cardio. Just split it up.

DavPul

i could be of more help if you could translate these numbers into American, but 180 minutes of exercise sounds like way too much. pro athletes don't train that much in a day.

LMAO. Did you just say to translate into "American"? What exactly is "American"?

he's using numbers that only foreigners understand.