Question on weights

1ZenGirl

Hi. I am lifting weights 3 days a week right now. I really like my DVDs that are mostly cardio mixed in with some light weights (think cardio sculpt). I'm using 3-5 pound weights with those work outs. I'm doing this about 3-4x per week.

Am I impacting my 3x per week lifting routine by doing that? I really love the extra boost it gives me but I wanted to be certain.

Thanks.

PikaKnight

Hi. I am lifting weights 3 days a week right now. I really like my DVDs that are mostly cardio mixed in with some light weights (think cardio sculpt). I'm using 3-5 pound weights with those work outs. I'm doing this about 3-4x per week.

Am I impacting my 3x per week lifting routine by doing that? I really love the extra boost it gives me but I wanted to be certain.

Thanks.

So you are working out 7 days a week without a rest day?

raindawg

What do you mean by "impacting my 3x per week lifting routine"? Do you mean doubling up on it? Making yourself too tired for it? not sure what you are asking.

1ZenGirl

Hi. I am lifting weights 3 days a week right now. I really like my DVDs that are mostly cardio mixed in with some light weights (think cardio sculpt). I'm using 3-5 pound weights with those work outs. I'm doing this about 3-4x per week.

Am I impacting my 3x per week lifting routine by doing that? I really love the extra boost it gives me but I wanted to be certain.

Thanks.

So you are working out 7 days a week without a rest day?

It looks that way but no, sorry. Weights and cardio workouts on same day....thanks.

rick_po

What weight lifting program are you doing? Is it a heavy progressive strength program?

chrisdavey

If you are training twice per day then getting adequate peri workout nutrition is key to performance. Protein and carbs being the priority.

I'd be doing the strength training first also.

If you are eating enough and sleeping enough then I'd say it is fine but it depends on how much training volume you are used to also.

1ZenGirl

What weight lifting program are you doing? Is it a heavy progressive strength program?

Heavy being a relative term yes. I have a routine I go through that takes about a half hour. I've been doing it about a month and have a lot to learn, hence my question. I am doing walking/running/elliptical the same days (i'm still refining my routine) but I really get motivated by my cardio workouts that have some light weight usage. I know I could do them without the light weights.

I certainly appreciate any input thanks!

accendo

I do stronglifts and on my lifting dsys I try to not to do any intense cardio. I find it fatigues the legs and ruins my squats. I do a brisk walk beforehand to warm my knees up if I have time.

1ZenGirl

What do you mean by "impacting my 3x per week lifting routine"? Do you mean doubling up on it? Making yourself too tired for it? not sure what you are asking.

Ok sorry. I am trying to figure out if doing my strength training routine AND doing cardio where I am using light weights hurts me in any way.

jstout365

If you are taking a full rest day between workout days, you should be fine. I lift 4x/week and then box in the evening on two lifting days and while their are no actual weights involved, the gloves do weigh something and the work can be intense. I make sure my nutrition is in check and increase as necessary.

It shouldn't hurt you in any way, but you have to be able to listen to your body and know when to back off a little or increase your calories more.

1ZenGirl

If you are taking a full rest day between workout days, you should be fine. I lift 4x/week and then box in the evening on two lifting days and while their are no actual weights involved, the gloves do weigh something and the work can be intense. I make sure my nutrition is in check and increase as necessary.

It shouldn't hurt you in any way, but you have to be able to listen to your body and know when to back off a little or increase your calories more.

Thank you!!

FoxyLifter

What weight lifting program are you doing? Is it a heavy progressive strength program?

Heavy being a relative term yes. I have a routine I go through that takes about a half hour. I've been doing it about a month and have a lot to learn, hence my question. I am doing walking/running/elliptical the same days (i'm still refining my routine) but I really get motivated by my cardio workouts that have some light weight usage. I know I could do them without the light weights.

I certainly appreciate any input thanks!

I think that the important part of the question is "Is it progressive"? Doing a cardio routine with 3-5lb dumbbells is quite different than following a progressive weight training program.

To answer your question, adding the 3-5lb weight may make you sweat a little more in the beginning, but you'll likely get used to it. If you wish to do some heavy lifting, you can incorporate cardio, but it's difficult to progress at both. I enjoy doing StrongLifts 5x5 three times a week and running 2 times a week, but if I were training for a half marathon, I would likely ease up on the weight lifting. If I were preparing for a weightlifting competition, I might stop running until after the competition.

I guess my point is what are your goals?

rick_po

If you're not doing a progressive strength program, you should be.

If you are, then the answer to your question is "it depends." Eventually, a progressive strength program will get very hard, and you will be worn out for a full day or two afterwards.

But if you're a beginner, it will take time to get there, and everyone tolerates the work differently. You might be one of the lucky ones who has no trouble doing strength and cardio at the same time. Most people, though, will have to cut back on something.

Look for signs of over-training. Not making progress, tired all the time, lack of motivation, difficulty sleeping. If you see those kinds of things in yourself, scale back your cardio.

After a couple months in a beginner strength program, it's not unusual for people to be unable to do any cardio at all, even on off days.

But for now, go ahead and do all the cardio you can tolerate.