"No one who does only cardio looks good"

SnazzyTraveller

Saw someone on MFP write this as a reply to a different topic today. This can't be true..... right?

jamja72

Iniially I did cardio only and I burned calories and lost weight. But i found my body changed only after adding in weights. Changes included toning and tightening.

lizard053

I don't think it's true, depends on your definition of "good!" I think people who do only cardio tend to look soft, where the people who lift weights look toned/muscular. Depends on the look you're going for.

froeschli

Depends on the definition of cardio, the lifestyle, genetics and a buch of other things. Oh, and what does looking good actually mean?

wwww1199

I do mostly cardio just to burn off some of the outer layer of fat so when I do start to do alot of weight training the muscle will show thru.

BruteSquad

I would refer you to this link:

http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

At least go down to the pictures, see her at 117, 132, and 147. Decide for yourself what "looks best"

But I will mention that if you google the benefits of strength training, specifically for women, there is a reduction in chances for specific cancers and osteoporosis. Strength training doesn't have to involve weights, you can do body weight exercises.

Matt_Wild

I'd pretty much agree with it. My ex is 5' 6" and slim (124lb, ) and she just did zumba (which is essentially cardio). The girl I'm seeing again is 5' 6" is 131lb but she is leaner and smaller and much better shape, she does weights and cardio. Clear difference.

MinkyMoo13

I have been doing cardio now for 6 weeks and am going to start throwing some weights into the mix from tomorrow! So many people tell me it's so good for weight loss as it breaks down the fat in a better way rather then just burning cals??

We will see! :happy:

BrianSharpe

One could also say that bodybuilders look grotesque, "looks good" is purely subjective and is in the eye of the beholder.

Having said that I strength train primarily as a injury prevention thing but also like the way a bit of muscle makes my body feel and look (now if I could just make my Molson muscle disappear)

ilovedeadlifts

I wrote it.
And I stand by my opinion.


I've never seen a person look good who only runs. Women can probably get by with it and look decent, but men need to lift weights.

Nerdybookgirl

I think looking good is subjective. My husband would be repulsed if I were muscled. His one concerns with my working out was that I would loose my butt and my thighs wouldn't be soft. I think a happy medium would be best for me.

auticus

Anyone who says this is projecting what they feel looks good or not. So take that with a grain of salt.

It's the same as saying "my country is the best", or "my religion is the best", or "my opinion is the best".

It is an opinion.

If your idea of looking good is ripped muscles then only cardio probably won't be your thing. Some people don't want that look. There are in fact men who aren't out to look like they belong in professional wrestling.

So yes, "Looks good" is purely in the eye of the beholder.

BeautifulScarsWECHANGED

I wrote it.
And I stand by my opinion.


I've never seen a person look good who only runs. Women can probably get by with it and look decent, but men need to lift weights.

I disagree. I've seen quite a few people who only run, and they are lean and look great. That's my main motivation for running.

kieva626

Yeah for females I don't agree with this statement...I don't lift although it looks like I do from genetics and different types of cardio can give you muscle tone.

therealangd

Meh. I don't think I've seen a bad looking marathon runner.

ErinBeth7

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Might be cliche, but damn it, its true!

ilovedeadlifts

I think looking good is subjective. My husband would be repulsed if I were muscled. His one concerns with my working out was that I would loose my butt and my thighs wouldn't be soft. I think a happy medium would be best for me.

women don't get big and ripped.
squats and deads will make your butt and thighs look better than ever, still be soft, but not flabby.

people shouldn't be afraid of lifting weights.

Chipmaniac

It depends on the cardio. For instance, a rowing machine is considered cardio but it is a complete body workout and most of your muscle groups would get seriously toned if you did it regularly. The same can be said, but to a lesser extent, to the elliptical machine when it has arm attachments.

Now, at the apex of your progress you'd have a rower's body, which is what I'm going for; lean, muscular and fit. You won't look like a body builder. Thankfully, most women don't like the body builder look.

ilovedeadlifts

Yeah for females I don't agree with this statement...I don't lift although it looks like I do from genetics and different types of cardio can give you muscle tone.

Females I can see a few arguements. I still think they look better with athletic legs that come from lifting, but to each their own. That's definitely an opinion.

shedoos

I wrote it.
And I stand by my opinion.


I've never seen a person look good who only runs. Women can probably get by with it and look decent, but men need to lift weights.

You are referring only to running? Or all cardio? Not sure that I've ever seen a male swimmer and thought "gee- he needs to lift weights"...

ahealthy4u

You need a combination of work out cardio/strength that is why I like when classes I take pull them all together into a routine so I don’t get stuck. But sometimes to gain results one needs to build or work up to the goal that is at hand.

chicpeach

It's a blanket statement, and blanket statements tend have many exceptions. Everyone is different, body types are different, personal preferences are different and even your age can dictate your regimen and what's preferable.

TeaBea

I don't agree. "Functional fitness"

Part of this is lifestyle. I have a desk job - so I don't EVER get any type of resistance training while working. I don't garden, or do heavy labor. Some people DO have physical jobs, they may not need much in the way of strength training.

Phrak

I wrote it.
And I stand by my opinion.


I've never seen a person look good who only runs. Women can probably get by with it and look decent, but men need to lift weights.

You are referring only to running? Or all cardio? Not sure that I've ever seen a male swimmer and thought "gee- he needs to lift weights"...

Thats because they probably lift weights.

ilovedeadlifts

You are referring only to running? Or all cardio? Not sure that I've ever seen a male swimmer and thought "gee- he needs to lift weights"...

swimming is a bit different. and you can't post the rare exception to the rule (like a world class athlete) to disprove it.

as stated above, it was a blanket statement. yes some people have great genetics and can look fairly muscular without lifting.
but in general this is what I'm thinking when I hear cardio only or marathon runner:

shedoos

I wrote it.
And I stand by my opinion.


I've never seen a person look good who only runs. Women can probably get by with it and look decent, but men need to lift weights.

You are referring only to running? Or all cardio? Not sure that I've ever seen a male swimmer and thought "gee- he needs to lift weights"...

Thats because they probably lift weights.

At Olympic levels - yes -- but I also know local swimmers who do not lift and still look good. It's just a pretty blanket statement to make. Also "looking good" is pretty subjective.

cmriverside

I wrote it.
And I stand by my opinion.


I've never seen a person look good who only runs. Women can probably get by with it and look decent, but men need to lift weights.

You are referring only to running? Or all cardio? Not sure that I've ever seen a male swimmer and thought "gee- he needs to lift weights"...

If you looked at Phelps' training regimen, he is doing serious weight training: probably a couple hours a day minimum. That physique is not built without huge sacrifices of workouts, and dialed-in nutrition.

*edit to remove picture quote.

UponThisRock

I wouldn't go that far, but I would say that strength training is superior to aerobic training if looking good naked is your goal.

shedoos

You are referring only to running? Or all cardio? Not sure that I've ever seen a male swimmer and thought "gee- he needs to lift weights"...

swimming is a bit different. and you can't post the rare exception to the rule (like a world class athlete) to disprove it.

as stated above, it was a blanket statement. yes some people have great genetics and can look fairly muscular without lifting.
but in general this is what I'm thinking when I hear cardio only or marathon runner:

I will buy that - but because I don't consider that to be attractive in a man. I think, as you said, blanket statement + something as subjective as what looks "good" to someone is always a tough sell.

babareeba

well, I did only cardio for 6 months (my profile picture from last summer is a result). two months ago i started to work out, and finally noticing muscles under my skin. hope to have a chance to post my before and after photos before june. currently, i'm just recording my progress monthly and i can see how my body is changing. that was not the case when i was only running (running made me thinner, nothing else). i still weight more than last summer, but look much fitter.

mfpcopine

I think it's pretty accurate. For example, I can walk miles a day and my calves will still be soft. A month of calf raises with a dumbbell and they're firm again.

If you're an older woman, triceps exercises keep that area of your arm from flapping. Mere weight loss won't have that effect.