Should I leave out cardio altogether?

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Replies

  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    Lots of low carb phobia on this board but, to each their own.

    what does low carb phobia have to do with OP's original post about cardio?
  • Dedshot
    Dedshot Posts: 145
    We have the same question basically! I strength train about 6 days a week, alternating arms and lower body (legs, glutes, I also do abs on those days). Lately I've been doing 30 minutes of cardio a day while also eating at a deficit but lately I haven't had the energy. So I'm trying to eat more, especially more protein and now I only am doing about 50-minute Zumba sessions twice a week. They're intense, too. But I have the same goals, to burn fat and gain muscle. Though I'd be satisfied with a bf% a little bit higher than 16 or 18%. I'm around 24% now I think. I'll try to remember the advice from this thread.
  • lorigem
    lorigem Posts: 446 Member
    No, you should do some type of conditioning. I dunno why you're lifting 5+days a week on a deficit.

    I have to agree with this. It sounds a little excessive. :/

    lifting five days week is excessive??? Care to clarify why that is?

    I lift five days a week with minimal cardio …

    My initial reaction is that having only two rest days per week from heavy lifting seems a bit minimal for muscle recovery, let alone adding cardio on top of that.

    However, I am open to hearing other perspectives on the subject that differ from mine. I am still new to lifting so perhaps I am wrong. I don't have an issue with being corrected with respect and learning from others.

    Compound lifts 5x per week is excessive. Isolated lifting can be done 5-6 days if you're working different muscles, different days.
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    Disagree on the 5x lifting per week... it works for some people, for most it doesn't. Do what works for YOU. Only YOU will know what works for YOU. I used to lift 6x per week, no problem for several months until work picked up.
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    We have the same question basically! I strength train about 6 days a week, alternating arms and lower body (legs, glutes, I also do abs on those days). Lately I've been doing 30 minutes of cardio a day while also eating at a deficit but lately I haven't had the energy. So I'm trying to eat more, especially more protein and now I only am doing about 50-minute Zumba sessions twice a week. They're intense, too. But I have the same goals, to burn fat and gain muscle. Though I'd be satisfied with a bf% a little bit higher than 16 or 18%. I'm around 24% now I think. I'll try to remember the advice from this thread.

    Definitely eat more and you will have the energy to keep it up :-)
  • Apinget
    Apinget Posts: 41 Member
    Lots of low carb phobia on this board but, to each their own.

    what does low carb phobia have to do with OP's original post about cardio?

    Because others have mentioned the possibility of OP cutting carbs in addition to the original cardio question and have been met with tons of opposition?
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    Lots of low carb phobia on this board but, to each their own.

    what does low carb phobia have to do with OP's original post about cardio?

    Because others have mentioned the possibility of OP cutting carbs in addition to the original cardio question and have been met with tons of opposition?

    As it should... low carb craze is garbage.
  • 4Healthyliving
    4Healthyliving Posts: 16 Member
    If you are looking to build muscle lifting weight is the best. However understand that any exercise you do that will raise your heart rate and cause you to sweat is cardio. For example, yoga especially a vinyasa or Birkram will definitely raise your heart rate.
    Sharon
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Lots of low carb phobia on this board but, to each their own.

    what does low carb phobia have to do with OP's original post about cardio?

    Because others have mentioned the possibility of OP cutting carbs in addition to the original cardio question and have been met with tons of opposition?

    Right, but that only got brought up when someone stated as a fact that the OP needed to cut carbs to get to her goal. That is completely false so of course people are going to make that clear so the OP knows.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    Lots of good advice, but also lots of fail.

    I wouldn't leave out cardio and certainly not stop eating or cutting down on carbs. Although it can work for some, I'm not much of a fan of lifting more than 4x a week.
  • Galatea_Stone
    Galatea_Stone Posts: 2,037 Member
    Disagree on the 5x lifting per week... it works for some people, for most it doesn't. Do what works for YOU. Only YOU will know what works for YOU. I used to lift 6x per week, no problem for several months until work picked up.

    I think what you're trying to say is a 5X total body routine wouldn't work for most people because it doesn't give enough time for repair.

    I do a 5X split where I don't work the same group 2 days in a row, but I work every group 2X a week, and glutes 3X a week. The gains are far better than when I was doing a 3X total body (strong lifts) or a 4X split (5/3/1). I've read NROL4W, Starting Strength, Strong Lifts, and even Wendler's 5/3/1. Everyone has a different program they're marketing and is going to say something different than the next guy. Take the good, leave the bad.

    And to OP: I do 30-40 minutes cardio daily. It hasn't hurt my results. I don't run right now, though. My cardio is generally cycling or beating the hell out of a heavy bag.
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    5 x week plus cardio is absolutely fine if you fuel properly and have enough sleep.

    Don't drop the cardio but make sure you are not picking up excessive caloric deficits from it overall. That's where cardio can get ya with what you are trying to do.

    Go and read some of Layne Norton's publications, he is pretty awesome in this arena.
  • simona815
    simona815 Posts: 48 Member
    well u don't have to do much cardio...just drop carbs, get on a strict diet, and hit the weight room hard :)

    Why?
    ask scott heman,josef rakich,joe donnelly or any other certified trainers.

    I don't want to, I am asking you.

    :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
  • corgarian
    corgarian Posts: 366 Member
    Lots of low carb phobia on this board but, to each their own.

    what does low carb phobia have to do with OP's original post about cardio?

    Because others have mentioned the possibility of OP cutting carbs in addition to the original cardio question and have been met with tons of opposition?

    As it should... low carb craze is garbage.
    ^^obv didnt read the first "quotes" whole post, to say such a blanket phrase like that.
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    Lots of low carb phobia on this board but, to each their own.

    what does low carb phobia have to do with OP's original post about cardio?

    Because others have mentioned the possibility of OP cutting carbs in addition to the original cardio question and have been met with tons of opposition?

    As it should... low carb craze is garbage.
    ^^obv didnt read the first "quotes" whole post, to say such a blanket phrase like that.

    What's obv? I OBVIOUSLY did read what that person said. I just don't care. I stick with my opinion, telling someone to cut carbs when you don't know their daily intake is ridiculous and counter-intuitive.
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    CARDIO ROCKS!

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