Why do people cut cardio when lifting weights?

Francl27

I keep seeing people post that they cut cardio when they started lifting weights... Why? If you're going to eat more to compensate for the cardio calories, why does it matter if you cut it? I'd like to understand.. I'm talking about people who are trying to lose weight too. I would think being able to eat more to make up for the cardio would be nice.

giggitygoo

I cut cardio because lifting is freaking exhausting, and I found I didn't need it to lose weight.

sarahg148

I was JUST thinking about this because I had my RMR tested and the trainer suggested that I start lifting to gain more muscle and cut back on the cardio. He suggested this because I, personally, am burning more sugar than fat. He wants to flip that so I burn more fat than sugars and to do that I can do cardio, but it won't get me to where I need to be. I also need to be at below 164 bpm to burn fat...as my heart rate goes up, my ration of fat to sugars flips. I don't know if that means I HAVE to reduce cardio...but at this point I'm in good shape so unless I'm training for a marathon for endurance I can cut back and just FOCUS more on the weights. I don't think I really answered your question, but just wanted to let you know I'm also sort of wondering why. Maybe once I build up more muscle I can kick in the cardio again to help lose some of the extra lbs. I do want to change my body comp and know that weights/resistance is the only thing that will do that from having done it in the past.

fatfudgery

Personally, I found that cardio made me super hungry. I can burn the same amount of calories doing weight lifting and it doesn't increase my appetite, for some reason.

Also, running 10K after I just busted my butt lifting 20000lbs is not exactly my idea of fun!

_Terrapin_

I was JUST thinking about this because I had my RMR tested and the trainer suggested that I start lifting to gain more muscle and cut back on the cardio. He suggested this because I, personally, am burning more sugar than fat. He wants to flip that so I burn more fat than sugars and to do that I can do cardio, but it won't get me to where I need to be. I also need to be at below 164 bpm to burn fat...as my heart rate goes up, my ration of fat to sugars flips. I don't know if that means I HAVE to reduce cardio...but at this point I'm in good shape so unless I'm training for a marathon for endurance I can cut back and just FOCUS more on the weights. I don't think I really answered your question, but just wanted to let you know I'm also sort of wondering why. Maybe once I build up more muscle I can kick in the cardio again to help lose some of the extra lbs. I do want to change my body comp and know that weights/resistance is the only thing that will do that from having done it in the past.

I have many many questions to ask but first fat to sugars or sugars to fat....what is he speaking of?

AJ_G

I was JUST thinking about this because I had my RMR tested and the trainer suggested that I start lifting to gain more muscle and cut back on the cardio. He suggested this because I, personally, am burning more sugar than fat. He wants to flip that so I burn more fat than sugars and to do that I can do cardio, but it won't get me to where I need to be. I also need to be at below 164 bpm to burn fat...as my heart rate goes up, my ration of fat to sugars flips. I don't know if that means I HAVE to reduce cardio...but at this point I'm in good shape so unless I'm training for a marathon for endurance I can cut back and just FOCUS more on the weights. I don't think I really answered your question, but just wanted to let you know I'm also sort of wondering why. Maybe once I build up more muscle I can kick in the cardio again to help lose some of the extra lbs. I do want to change my body comp and know that weights/resistance is the only thing that will do that from having done it in the past.

Fat loss is based solely on a calorie deficit. It's true that when you do cardio at a lower heart rate that a higher percentage of your calorie burn comes from stored fat, but that's inconsequential when it comes to fat loss because it makes no difference, all that matters for fat loss at the end of the day is what your deficit for the day is. The reason for this is that any stored carbohydrates burned from cardio will be replenished next time you eat carbohydrates whereas if your stored carbs (glycogen) is already full because you burned stored fat, next time you eat carbs it will be stored as fat instead.

SwampWitch666

I was curious about this too!

sarahg148

I'm not really sure HOW to explain it. Obviously a deficit is a deficit and one will lose weight if doing so either through diet, exercise, or diet AND exercise. I think he was just saying that my body is stressed and burning sugars/carbs vs the fat it SHOULD be burning at certain heart rates. So he wants to condition me to where I can work hard with keeping my HR down so I stay in the fat burning zones more often and see better results in losing body fat. So basically all I have to do is do HIIT until my conditioning gets better and then I can do more work without getting out of the optimal fat burning zones...hence losing BF and building lean mass to increase my metabolism to also allow my body to keep burning long after the workout. I am no expert by any means, but just trying to pass on what was told to me.

cwolfman13

There are a number of reasons why one would cut back on cardio if they're lifting...

- If you're doing a heavy program, you're going to be pretty spent after your lifting session...if you're not then you're doing it wrong. I can do some light cardio after a lifting session, but nothing too crazy...some time on the elliptical or something but I'm not getting out and riding 30 miles or doing a 10K or anything like that.

- Much of the benefit of lifting comes with rest and excessive exercise in addition to your lifting can interfere with recovery and hinder strength and/or hypertrophy gains.

- risk of over-train injury

- someone in a bulk has to eat a lot to begin with...even more if they're doing a bunch of cardio...for some people, consistently eating a boat load of food day in and day out just isn't practical...so they cut back on cardio in order to lower their calorie requirements for a solid bulk.

- If you're training for an event or something, excessive exercise can actually be counter productive to your goals and training, so you would balance out your lifting with cardio rather than just trying to do everything.

- balanced fitness regimen

The list goes on and on.

acogg

I don't like cardio, so when I started lifting weights I could eat more and still not do cardio.

SezxyStef

I don't like cardio, so when I started lifting weights I could eat more and still not do cardio.

this

Mercedespony

I haven't cut cardio completely, because I still need to lose another 10 lbs..
but I have definitely slowed down on the cardio -taken out a day-, I am also completely exhausted after a weight lifting session.
I've got nothing left, and sleep like a dog at night!

Francl27

Ok I get not doing cardio just after, but if you only lift 3x a week, why not?

neanderthin

Ok I get not doing cardio just after, but if you only lift 3x a week, why not?

Yeah, nothing wrong with doing both.

SezxyStef

Ok I get not doing cardio just after, but if you only lift 3x a week, why not?

because I don't like cardio that's why not.

For those who like cardio and still cut it out partially it's because they are tired the day of lifting and the day after then they are lifting again...when you are lifting esp compound lifts you are drained...not just immediately after...but sometimes even the day after.

that's like asking I know you don't like broccoli but it's good for you why not eat it...

eric_sg61

I want to adapt to be good at lifting and building muscle, not adapt to being good at cardio. Cardio in small doses is fine, but if your spending more time doing cardio than weights then what is your body adapting to

neanderthin

I was JUST thinking about this because I had my RMR tested and the trainer suggested that I start lifting to gain more muscle and cut back on the cardio. He suggested this because I, personally, am burning more sugar than fat. He wants to flip that so I burn more fat than sugars and to do that I can do cardio, but it won't get me to where I need to be. I also need to be at below 164 bpm to burn fat...as my heart rate goes up, my ration of fat to sugars flips. I don't know if that means I HAVE to reduce cardio...but at this point I'm in good shape so unless I'm training for a marathon for endurance I can cut back and just FOCUS more on the weights. I don't think I really answered your question, but just wanted to let you know I'm also sort of wondering why. Maybe once I build up more muscle I can kick in the cardio again to help lose some of the extra lbs. I do want to change my body comp and know that weights/resistance is the only thing that will do that from having done it in the past.

Basically be burn more body fat when oxygen is present, and cardio with a threshold of about 65 VO2 max will be considered aerobic using oxygen to facilitate ATP (energy) Weight training is in the absence of oxygen called anaerobic and uses mainly glycogen (glucose) but for some reason people believe that this somehow burns more overall body fat, which isn't true. Daily caloric deficit dictates fat loss, period.

Worrying about how much fat is used in a cardio session makes as much sense as worrying how much muscle is built in a weight resistance session.

neanderthin

Ok I get not doing cardio just after, but if you only lift 3x a week, why not?

because I don't like cardio that's why not.

For those who like cardio and still cut it out partially it's because they are tired the day of lifting and the day after then they are lifting again...when you are lifting esp compound lifts you are drained...not just immediately after...but sometimes even the day after.

that's like asking I know you don't like broccoli but it's good for you why not eat it...

I wouldn't take it personally, some people do do both.

SezxyStef

I was JUST thinking about this because I had my RMR tested and the trainer suggested that I start lifting to gain more muscle and cut back on the cardio. He suggested this because I, personally, am burning more sugar than fat. He wants to flip that so I burn more fat than sugars and to do that I can do cardio, but it won't get me to where I need to be. I also need to be at below 164 bpm to burn fat...as my heart rate goes up, my ration of fat to sugars flips. I don't know if that means I HAVE to reduce cardio...but at this point I'm in good shape so unless I'm training for a marathon for endurance I can cut back and just FOCUS more on the weights. I don't think I really answered your question, but just wanted to let you know I'm also sort of wondering why. Maybe once I build up more muscle I can kick in the cardio again to help lose some of the extra lbs. I do want to change my body comp and know that weights/resistance is the only thing that will do that from having done it in the past.

Basically be burn more body fat when oxygen is present, and cardio with a threshold of about 65 VO2 max will be considered aerobic using oxygen to facilitate ATP (energy) Weight training is in the absence of oxygen called anaerobic and uses mainly glycogen (glucose) but for some reason people believe that this somehow burns more overall body fat, which isn't true. Daily caloric deficit dictates fat loss, period.

Worrying about how much fat is used in a cardio session makes as much sense as worrying how much muscle is built in a weight resistance session.

I lift and I know that the resistence training is for body comp not burning fat...cardio is for heart and lung health...
If you choose lifting over cardio it's because you want fat loss not muscle loss...while in that deficet.

SezxyStef

Ok I get not doing cardio just after, but if you only lift 3x a week, why not?

because I don't like cardio that's why not.

For those who like cardio and still cut it out partially it's because they are tired the day of lifting and the day after then they are lifting again...when you are lifting esp compound lifts you are drained...not just immediately after...but sometimes even the day after.

that's like asking I know you don't like broccoli but it's good for you why not eat it...

I wouldn't take it personally, some people do do both.

Yup...I do HIIT 2x a week...but wouldn't even consider running 5k on my off days...hate the thought of that...so boring.

Might take a bike ride when the weather warms up but I do that for fun not "purposeful cardio"...even tho I know it's a good cardio exercise.

MarioLozano16

Cause they're lazy

89nunu

cause I like lifting and I hate cardio...

Oh and I'm lazy

SezxyStef

Cause they're lazy

sure okay...

*rolls eyes*

Not sure you can call anyone who lifts heavy weights lazy....

neanderthin

I was JUST thinking about this because I had my RMR tested and the trainer suggested that I start lifting to gain more muscle and cut back on the cardio. He suggested this because I, personally, am burning more sugar than fat. He wants to flip that so I burn more fat than sugars and to do that I can do cardio, but it won't get me to where I need to be. I also need to be at below 164 bpm to burn fat...as my heart rate goes up, my ration of fat to sugars flips. I don't know if that means I HAVE to reduce cardio...but at this point I'm in good shape so unless I'm training for a marathon for endurance I can cut back and just FOCUS more on the weights. I don't think I really answered your question, but just wanted to let you know I'm also sort of wondering why. Maybe once I build up more muscle I can kick in the cardio again to help lose some of the extra lbs. I do want to change my body comp and know that weights/resistance is the only thing that will do that from having done it in the past.

Basically be burn more body fat when oxygen is present, and cardio with a threshold of about 65 VO2 max will be considered aerobic using oxygen to facilitate ATP (energy) Weight training is in the absence of oxygen called anaerobic and uses mainly glycogen (glucose) but for some reason people believe that this somehow burns more overall body fat, which isn't true. Daily caloric deficit dictates fat loss, period.

Worrying about how much fat is used in a cardio session makes as much sense as worrying how much muscle is built in a weight resistance session.

I lift and I know that the resistence training is for body comp not burning fat...cardio is for heart and lung health...
If you choose lifting over cardio it's because you want fat loss not muscle loss...while in that deficet.

I know you do stef but this post wasn't directed to you specifically. I do both, but I do cardio in the name of sports and believe it's kept me younger. The weight training is basically a vanity thing for me as I get older and of course for muscle retention.

erickirb

In a deficit excessive cardio will impact the recovery from strength training. energy will go to the workout instead of repairing the muscles, when there isn't much to repair with to begin with in a deficit.

rml_16

A couple reasons for me. One is that the cardio isn't working. I workout like a madwoman and count calories and I'm GAINING. I'm hoping the weights might make that difference.

I'm concerned that the excess cardio is actually working against me (cortisol).

Time is an issue, too. I don't want to have to add extra time to my workouts because I added new exercise. Plus, I do circuits so my heart rate is up pretty good during the weight lifting and I'm getting some cardio out of it.

And finally, on the days I work my legs. cardio just isn't happening. My legs get too weak and I end up pretty exhausted. I intended to do about 15-20 minutes on my elliptical last night after lifting and I just could not physically do it.

That may change as I get more used to the weight lifting, but right now it isn't doable.

ETA: I am not cutting cardio out, just back.

harlanJEN

I cut cardio because lifting is freaking exhausting, and I found I didn't need it to lose weight.

Same here. Lifting can certainly be a cardio experience! If you like cardio - do it!! If u are doing it to eat more - may want to rethink that. You cannot out train a poor diet. That mindset gets disordered. Nutrition must come first. Get your nutrition in order for fat loss and maintenance ( yes - have a plan for maintenance) and train for fitness and body composition.

It's not a DIET. It's Life. make small changes that lead to lifestyle changes - for life. Are you going to workout to " compensate " for the food you choose to eat for the rest of your life??

workout_ninja

I started lifting and only slightly cut out the cardio as I still want to lose weight. I now lift 4 days a week and do maybe 20-30 minutes cardio during those days and on the other 3 days, I run as im in training for a race this month. I dont know if Im doing it right but my mind is still telling me that I need to get my heart rate up to lose weight, as lifting doesnt burn as many calories

ShellyBell999

cause I like lifting and I hate cardio...

Oh and I'm lazy

^^This

rml_16

And to Sarah up-thread -- Get a new trainer. Seriously. I would have laughed in that guy's face.

3laine75

Running aggravated my dodgy knee, hence, affected my lifts ( I also don't like cardio much). So now I just lift.

I don't think it's hard to understand, some people are happy with a calorie deficit from diet - some prefer cardio. Do what you enjoy