Is there a such thing as...

jnb143
jnb143 Posts: 62 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
too much cardio? As of the past 2 weeks, I have been taking spinning classes 2-3 times a week and the other 2-3 days I run/jog on a treadmill for 30 minutes. (I work out 5 days a week).

My ultimate goal is to lose weight to meet the Army standard and so far since I've joined MFP I have lost 15 lbs (about 30 days) When I first started MFP, I was doing some strength training, but I feel like I need to lose most of my fat before I do strength training. Does anyone have suggestions? Thanks! Any and all input is welcome! :flowerforyou:

Replies

  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    The cumulative total is not excessive but I would not hesitate to start on the strength training too (the cardio will give you endurance, the strength will help with body composition).
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    No, there isn't too much cardio. I guess there could be but what your doing isn't even close to being abnormal really. Just know that you have to eat some calories to fuel those workouts otherwise you will lose a lot more than just fat. Make an emphasis on protein.

    As for the lifting. Start now. I did what you are doing and had the same mind set. I just wanted to lose the weight. I didn't care. I just wanted it gone so I did nothing but cardio for 3 months. I wish I would have done what I am doing now in the beginning. While I lost the weight and looked a ton better, it doesn't compare to the amount of transformation I have had since adding a lifting heavy routine.
  • jnb143
    jnb143 Posts: 62 Member
    Do you think implementing strength training about twice a week would be good or should I do it everyday?
  • SJ46
    SJ46 Posts: 407 Member
    Start the strength training now, strength will help you (a lot) in the military. I do cardio 5-6x/week and do full body lifting, compound movements 3x/week. Some would argue that I do too much cardio but it is what I love and it is what gets me to the gym. *shrug* works for me and keeps me sane!
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    An hour day is not excessive for cardio.

    And I agree with the others: don't wait to start strength training! If you start now, imagine how easy those pushps will be when you are lighter!
  • jnb143
    jnb143 Posts: 62 Member
    I'm the same way when it comes to cardio. I may not be the fastest person lol, but i definitely love to run. & I love my spinning sessions! Cardio makes me feel great because of all the sweat!
    Start the strength training now, strength will help you (a lot) in the military. I do cardio 5-6x/week and do full body lifting, compound movements 3x/week. Some would argue that I do too much cardio but it is what I love and it is what gets me to the gym. *shrug* works for me and keeps me sane!
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    huffdog
    "I do zero... and that still somehow feels like too much"

    I'm about there- I do some because I have to for various reasons- but for ME personally an hr of cardio a day is way to much. WAY WAY to much.

    doing 30 minutes a day seems like torture. It happens occasionally- but yeah- not my cup of tea.

    edit

    just read this part
    but I feel like I need to lose most of my fat before I do strength training.

    nope nope nope- strength training as soon as you can.

    Maintain muscle mass so you maximize fat loss- best way to do that is to keep strength training!!!

    no reason to wait AT ALL!!! GO GO GO GO- GO lift all the things!
  • jnb143
    jnb143 Posts: 62 Member
    You are right! I will change up my routine a bit to start implementing some strength training. Which might mean that I have to go the gym twice a day some days because of my schedule
    An hour day is not excessive for cardio.

    And I agree with the others: don't wait to start strength training! If you start now, imagine how easy those pushps will be when you are lighter!
  • Polarpaly05
    Polarpaly05 Posts: 74 Member
    I've consulted 3 doctors. All 3 have said cardio 6 days a week for at least 30 minutes is perfectly fine and recommended.
  • Hiker_Rob
    Hiker_Rob Posts: 5,547 Member
    Building cardo endurance is great. If you have been doing it for a while as it seems you have, then add in a day or two of strength training or split a couple days between strength and cardo if you have the time. I do 3-4 days cardio only (45 min to 1 hour workout) and 2-3 days with a 50/50 split between cardio and strength (usually an hour to hour and a half total time) I workout 6 days a week normally but 1 is a lighter day.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    You are right! I will change up my routine a bit to start implementing some strength training. Which might mean that I have to go the gym twice a day some days because of my schedule
    An hour day is not excessive for cardio.

    And I agree with the others: don't wait to start strength training! If you start now, imagine how easy those pushps will be when you are lighter!

    Well, just know that if you are lifting heavy, especially on leg day, it will be tough to do cardio on lifting days. If it's still easy to do cardio on those days, you aren't lifting heavy enough.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    I've consulted 3 doctors. All 3 have said cardio 6 days a week for at least 30 minutes is perfectly fine and recommended.

    hell no.

    way to much for me!!! you keep your doctors!!!

    nope nope nope nope!!!
  • BlueBombers
    BlueBombers Posts: 4,064 Member
    How about cardio AND strength training. I saw a bigger difference when I added weight lifting to my routine then when I was doing cardio alone.

    Heavy compound lifts A++
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    The cumulative total is not excessive but I would not hesitate to start on the strength training too (the cardio will give you endurance, the strength will help with body composition).

    ^This!
  • jnb143
    jnb143 Posts: 62 Member
    You are right! I will change up my routine a bit to start implementing some strength training. Which might mean that I have to go the gym twice a day some days because of my schedule
    An hour day is not excessive for cardio.

    And I agree with the others: don't wait to start strength training! If you start now, imagine how easy those pushps will be when you are lighter!

    Well, just know that if you are lifting heavy, especially on leg day, it will be tough to do cardio on lifting days. If it's still easy to do cardio on those days, you aren't lifting heavy enough.

    For the first couple weeks when I was doing strength training, Leg Day & cardio do not mix well lol. I could barely run, but I pushed through it
  • Hiker_Rob
    Hiker_Rob Posts: 5,547 Member
    Do you think implementing strength training about twice a week would be good or should I do it everyday?

    If your goal is fat first then I'd do it a few days a week as you've said
  • jnb143
    jnb143 Posts: 62 Member
    Building cardo endurance is great. If you have been doing it for a while as it seems you have, then add in a day or two of strength training or split a couple days between strength and cardo if you have the time. I do 3-4 days cardio only (45 min to 1 hour workout) and 2-3 days with a 50/50 split between cardio and strength (usually an hour to hour and a half total time) (I workout 6 days a week normally)

    I like this a lot! It's getting to the gym on the 6th day is what will be the hardest transition for me lol But you only get what you put into it! Thanks for the input!
  • jnb143
    jnb143 Posts: 62 Member
    I've consulted 3 doctors. All 3 have said cardio 6 days a week for at least 30 minutes is perfectly fine and recommended.

    hell no.

    way to much for me!!! you keep your doctors!!!

    nope nope nope nope!!!

    :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    How many days a week to you think Army PRT will have you doing some form of resistance training?
  • jnb143
    jnb143 Posts: 62 Member
    How many days a week to you think Army PRT will have you doing some form of resistance training?

    I honestly have no idea. I just want to be prepared for Basic Training, so I'm not the "weakling" of the bunch.
  • tyrsnbdr
    tyrsnbdr Posts: 234 Member
    You need to focus on running, push-ups and situps in everywork out. You worth and first impression as a Soldier will be your AFPT score. Make Sure your form is in compliance with Army standards, Pushups - you have to go down until your upperarm is parallel with the ground. Situps - Butt can not come off the ground, knees cannot be more than 45deg, and figures must remain interlocked behind your head.

    Strength training will help you out, but it should focus on carrying heavy stuff over long distances. Do a forced ruck march at least once. Get a backpack, load it up with 40-50lbs and walk faster that 3 miles per our (1 mile every 20 mins) with the ideal being 4 mph (1mi/15 min). This will prevent you from being body shocked by that first walk.

    There is no such thing as overtraining in the Army, so train harder.
  • tyrsnbdr
    tyrsnbdr Posts: 234 Member
    How many days a week to you think Army PRT will have you doing some form of resistance training?

    I honestly have no idea. I just want to be prepared for Basic Training, so I'm not the "weakling" of the bunch.

    The answer is all day, everyday. Again, no such thing as over training.
  • Bernadette60614
    Bernadette60614 Posts: 707 Member
    I do a competitive stairclimb every year, so I need both cardio endurance and strength since I'm moving my body up a steep incline.

    The strength training will increase your cardio stamina...my stairclimbing requires good muscular in my glutes and legs.

    I'm 50, and last year I did 54 flights in 12 minutes, so I can say that at least it works for me.

    I think what you want to avoid is overtraining so listen to your body. If you've never strength trained before, start slow. Bodybuilding.com has some good training programs.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    You need to focus on running, push-ups and situps in everywork out. You worth and first impression as a Soldier will be your AFPT score. Make Sure your form is in compliance with Army standards, Pushups - you have to go down until your upperarm is parallel with the ground. Situps - Butt can not come off the ground, knees cannot be more than 45deg, and figures must remain interlocked behind your head.

    Strength training will help you out, but it should focus on carrying heavy stuff over long distances. Do a forced ruck march at least once. Get a backpack, load it up with 40-50lbs and walk faster that 3 miles per our (1 mile every 20 mins) with the ideal being 4 mph (1mi/15 min). This will prevent you from being body shocked by that first walk.

    There is no such thing as overtraining in the Army, so train harder.

    that's about right.

    I'd also say the basis of training is different for the army since you are training for a particular (albeit out of date) standard- it's still the standard.

    Lots of running + things would be important for that- but in general- running is over rated- but with the Army they like to do all manner of things for various reasons- one of them is running a lot- and doing things. LOL
  • csuhar
    csuhar Posts: 779 Member
    What you're doing isn't too much at all, especially because you're training to a standard that includes a sizeable cardio component. A lot of people in the military do cardio five days a week, sometimes even more, in order to keep up with the standards.

    When it comes to strength, by all means, start now. Just remember to actually perform the actions that are part of the test, too. I've had many troops who have trouble passing the tests despite going to the gym and doing all kinds of exercises becasue they simply weren't practicing the motions they were going to be tested on.

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