Strength Training VS Cardio

fitzerin

Yes yes I know I know, I should do both. But I really really REALLY hate cardio. Is it wrong to do just strength training? Am I getting good results doing only strength training? Let me know.

kdiamond

I don't like traditional cardio, but I do HIIT on the treadmill (walking/sprinting)for 20 minutes twice a week, and then whatever cardio type activities that are prescribed in my Crossfit class, like sprinting, jump rope, etc..

I can't remember the last time I bothered with staying on the elliptical trainer for 30 minutes...long long ago, and I've never been in better shape! So I don't think a bunch of cardio is necessary. Make it fun.

rml_16

I don't know. ARE you getting good results? Only you know the answer to that.

I know people who lost massive amounts of weight and look wonderful without any exercise at all, so it can be done.

However, cardio is important for overall health, even if it's just a walk a few times a week.

What you do depends entirely on what you want to do.

taso42_DELETED

Lots of body builder types do only little or no cardio. This will help you preserve/build lean muscle (since cardio inevitably burns *some* muscle). I am sure you can get a smoking body doing only strength training, but cardio has benefits for your heart.

Bumblebee26

Cardio in a gym suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks. Get a bicycle and get it in that way.

AggieCass09

Cardio in a gym suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks. Get a bicycle and get it in that way.

or if you are uncoordinated like me, hit some running trails!

jfarmer1226

It depends on what your goals are. If you have a lot of weight to lose....doing high intensity cardio 3 to 5 times a week will help you lose the weight faster. But, if you are trying to tone & sculpt....then doing strength training alone is okay. Just be careful...you could bulk up if you are doing too heavy of strength training. I would try some different cardio options....I can't stand the machines at the gym (treadmill, etc)....so, I run outside, hiking, biking, and I do kickboxing classes. Doing a class can really help because it's more motivating. Hope this helps.

KellyBurton1

I hate cardio as well, and love weight training. I go for a walk or do a light jog. nothing to serious but enough to help.

rml_16

Cardio in a gym suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks. Get a bicycle and get it in that way.

I am SO with you! I will exercise outside instead of inside (especially a gym!) every chance I get. And if I'm stuck inside, my go-to is my own elliptical in front of my television or I'd want to kill myself after 10 minutes.

jagh09

Those machines are so tedious. I use 'em, but I don't love 'em. However, I like hiking, biking, swimming, or just plain get out and walking!

I think you need to add in the cardio for overall health. A lot of those body builders have intense strength, muscle mass, etc. But can they run a lap around the track without getting winded? Weight loss is the goal, but really you want to increase your overall health, which includes improving cardiovascular fitness. But you don't have to do it on a machine.

Have you tried classes?

ChantalGG

Strength training and proper diet will work. My SO lost his 20lbs way before me and all he did was 3 days a week on the bowflex and ate about 1400 calories.

MsKeelah919

I am the same as you. I LOVE strength training but cardio ? Not at all. I am beginning to do a couch to 5k because the heart is a muscle worth training. Just like working out, I'm trying to forge a reliable relationship with it. Like it or not!

joejccva71

I do cardio for one reason and one reason only.

Recovery.

fitzerin

WOW ton of replies thanks!

I noticed it is easier for me to not workout if it is supposed to be my cardio day. Strength I can do...I actually really like it! And to answer questions, no I don't have a lot of weight to lose. I just want to tone and sculpt. I am not totally sedentary...I do take walks and hikes.

It is good to know I am not alone in the cardio hate! :-)

rml_16

WOW ton of replies thanks!

I noticed it is easier for me to not workout if it is supposed to be my cardio day. Strength I can do...I actually really like it! And to answer questions, no I don't have a lot of weight to lose. I just want to tone and sculpt. I am not totally sedentary...I do take walks and hikes.

It is good to know I am not alone in the cardio hate! :-)

If you enjoy walks and hikes, then you don't hate cardio! You don't have to drone away on a machine for it to count as cardio. Just find something you enjoy (a sport, rollerblading, swimming, ANYTHING that gets you moving and gets your HR up) and you're doing your cardio.

jamie1888

. Just be careful...you could bulk up if you are doing too heavy of strength training.

False! Women don't bulk like men do! And it's especially difficult to add muscle mass if you are eating at a calorie deficit.

When I do strength training, my heart rate goes up to the same level as if I were jogging! If you workout in circuits or supersets, you keep your heart rate up and get cardio at the same time! :glasses:

CasperO

Cardio in a gym suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks. Get a bicycle and get it in that way.

I am SO with you! I will exercise outside instead of inside (especially a gym!) every chance I get. And if I'm stuck inside, my go-to is my own elliptical in front of my television or I'd want to kill myself after 10 minutes.

Me too, or three, or whatever.

obrien821

It depends on your goal, but you would get better results with cardio. If your strength training then your just building muscle, but if you actually want to tone and lose weight, then the cardio works better for that. I'm the exact opposite! I love doing the cardio and could do without the strength training, but I push forward alternating with both.

taxidermist15

you can do strength training AND cardio in the same session (from what ive been told). doing circuits like the spatacus workout is doing both of them, maybe not working AS hard as if you were just doing cardio, but it makes it a bit different. i love the lady spartacus workout, goes for about 45 minutes, burns about 500 calories i think (dont quote me, im not sure)

rml_16

you can do strength training AND cardio in the same session (from what ive been told). doing circuits like the spatacus workout is doing both of them, maybe not working AS hard as if you were just doing cardio, but it makes it a bit different. i love the lady spartacus workout, goes for about 45 minutes, burns about 500 calories i think (dont quote me, im not sure)

Calories burned is very individual based on gender, height, age, weight, fitness level and effort. It may burn 500 calories for you and for some other people, but some will burn more and some will burn less for the exact same workout at the exact same intensity.

keldawm

I hate doing cardio at the gym. I do it when the weather is bad, but I don't enjoy it.
Do you have any outside activities you enjoy? I have a bike and my husband and I love to go for rides in the morning. I also play tennis a couple of times a week. I find these are 2 great ways to get in cardio.

ackeebee

lol, it seems i am the opposite of you guys. i love cardio and i hate strength training though i do recognise they are both beneficial. however, for the past few months, i have taken a break from strength training. i intend to resume when i reach my goal weight/maintenance stage. only 6 lbs to go

if i am doing it all wrong, some advice would be welcomed!

EricMurano

HIIT is mega fun on a stationery bike! Not so fun on a run but I think I'm getting used to it.

I used to do 20-25 minutes on the bike with 30 seconds of all-out peddling then 2 minutes of cool down. Or 60 seconds/2.5 minutes cool down. It made the session go quickly because it was broken up into doable chunks

engineman312

the problem with cardio is that so many people hear that word and think "an hour on the treadmill." other posters here are right, you can get great results from interval training, and cross training. you can do 3-4 strength days a week, and do 2 days of cardio such as a spinning maching, swimming, or HIIT running.

you need to determine exactly what your goals are to determine which one (cardio or strength training) will be the biggest part of your routine.

melsinct

I am not the biggest cardio fan. My cardio consists of walking the dog briskly (4 mph) for at least a mile every morning. It gets the heart rate up and at least is *something* as opposed to nothing.

AZackery

I love cardio. I do solo strength training, but I prefer doing cardio/strength.

grapenutSF

I agree that cardio isn't just those boring machines. You like hikes? Done! You might explore other forms too. I take a salsa class-hooked! Nike Training Club (ipod app) also has some hybrids you might find appealing...the heart rate def gets elevated bc the pace is fast but I also feel kinda badass & strong when I do it.

http://www.nike.com/nikewomen/features/howitworks?locale=en_US

kmbrooks15

Read "New Rules of Lifting for Women"...excellent book that addresses this very topic! I'm going to start the New Rules workouts in a couple of weeks (had my gallbladder out and the doc said I have to wait 6 weeks after surgery before doing any weight training).

snookumss

I think it depends on your goals. If you are watching your calories, you can skip cardio because you will still lose fat regardless. However, doing the cardio will help speed along the fat-burning process faster than normal weight lifting could do. Now if you are doing something crazy like p90x... you are getting a good all over workout. If you aren't worried about being able to run a few blocks no problem, skip the cardio!

Susay2942

I was invited to go running. It did not take me long ... exactly 20 seconds ... to realize I couldn't run a 1/4 of a mile! I could handle 2 back to back aerobics classes but couldn't run 1/4 mile... Here I was doing all this "stuff" to be in great shape and I couldn't run. It became my new goal and two months later I had dropped another 15 lbs!

I think the lesson here was by changing up and taking on a challenge to myself I hit another peak in my life!

fteale

I wouldn't go on a machine if you paid me. I run outside, which is totally addicted and head clearing. I love it.

I also do aerobics classes with resistance bands and circuit training classes. They are both a combination of resistance training and getting my heart rate up.

If you just lift weights, you may end up looking as you want to, but I doubt you will be that healthy if you do absolutely nothing that raises your heart rate. If you walk a few miles a day, you should be fine, however.

IMO specific exercise is pretty unnecessary if you have a genuinely active, physical lifestyle.