Cardio and breathing...

ahjenny

When you are doing cardio, such as the elliptical, if you can carry on a conversation, do you need to work it a little harder? When I am working on the elliptical, I can't carry on a conversation because it makes me too out of breath (I'm fine when I'm not talking). My friend thinks I'm overdoing it. I don't think so. What's the general concensus?

Sublimely_Self_Righteousreused

If you can carry a convo while working out, you're not pushing yourself hard enough.

Contrarian

If you can carry a convo while working out, you're not pushing yourself hard enough.

I agree with this.

FiremanSam111

If you can't talk while doing cardio and are breathing heavily, you are working your cardiovascular system quite hard. The old school consensus about being able to talk while working out to keep you in the "fat burning zone" has fans and critics. Personally, I follow the rule of use more calories than you eat = net weight loss. For cardio, I do what feels comfortable on any given day. I try keeping my heart rate at about 65-75% of maximum (220bpm - age = max). Of course, if your breathless, slow down. Listen to your body. If you feel you can push a little harder, then do that. I alternate my cardio into an interval training routine quite often, by running faster in short bursts every 3 or 4 minutes... that I way, I burn more calories, and get more out of my work outs.

Azdak

It depends on your goal for that workout.

If you are doing an easier endurance day, then, yes, you should be able to talk during the workout. There should be a mild effort to talk, but it should be possible.

Struggling to talk--e.g. cannot speak in full sentences, taking deep breaths between phrases: that indicates a higher intensity, probably the highest you could sustain during a "tempo" or "high-intensity steady state" type of workout.

Hardly able to talk/cannot really concentrate on a conversation: a high-intensity interval; this type of effort would likely last less than 45 seconds or so.

So there is no "right" answer to the question--it all depends on your goal for the workout. And a balanced routine should include workouts at different intensity/duration combinations.

Sidesteal

It depends on your goal for that workout.

If you are doing an easier endurance day, then, yes, you should be able to talk during the workout. There should be a mild effort to talk, but it should be possible.

Struggling to talk--e.g. cannot speak in full sentences, taking deep breaths between phrases: that indicates a higher intensity, probably the highest you could sustain during a "tempo" or "high-intensity steady state" type of workout.

Hardly able to talk/cannot really concentrate on a conversation: a high-intensity interval; this type of effort would likely last less than 45 seconds or so.

So there is no "right" answer to the question--it all depends on your goal for the workout.

In after Azdak. ^ This guy posts great stuff, continuously. /cheer!