Cardio questions...

corderdeb

Let me say, I'm fairly new to regular exercise. In fact, up until 10 months ago, I was a proud couch potato!
Now, I'm in the gym 4 days a week. (yeah me!)

I do yoga one day a week and swim (45mins) 3 days a week. And several days a week I walk a mile or more (but I don't count that as part of my regular schedul).

1) Does cardio build muscle? (I know it's not weigh training...don't start on that.)

2) I know you're suppose to wait a day between weigh training to let your muscles recover...does the same hold true for cardio?

Thanks...and yes, I'll get to the weight training eventually.

shrimpfire

cardo builds and no u dont have jto wait unless legs get sore then u can rest them and continue on

corderdeb

bump

meshashesha2012

if you mean cardio on a machine, then no cardio doesnt build muscle but it does increase it's endurance. if you're doing something like kettlebells or complexes or other types of circuit training workouts that combine cardio with resistance then you are building muscle (as well as endurance) as long as you are using a weight that's as challenging as you can make it

the burn that people get in their muscles when they do cardio isnt from the same reasons people get when they strength train.

sherronh

I find this post to be untrue. I have been running on the treadmill and using the elliptical for about 4 months right now. I too was a couch patotoe for a bit of a time.

Just by using machines only ( I plan to start strength training next mont) I have created and defined muscle all over my thighs. My inner thighs are significantly tighter and I have clear muscle on the sides of my legs. Cardio does build muscle.

Resistance can be found on the machines simplily put the resistance up on the elliptical, incline up on the treadmill, or go faster.

TeaBea

Let me say, I'm fairly new to regular exercise. In fact, up until 10 months ago, I was a proud couch potato!
Now, I'm in the gym 4 days a week. (yeah me!)

I do yoga one day a week and swim (45mins) 3 days a week. And several days a week I walk a mile or more (but I don't count that as part of my regular schedul).

1) Does cardio build muscle? (I know it's not weigh training...don't start on that.)

2) I know you're suppose to wait a day between weigh training to let your muscles recover...does the same hold true for cardio?

Thanks...and yes, I'll get to the weight training eventually.

Swimming does provide some resistance (or strength) training. You are using your arms to pull yourself thru the water. You are kicking your feet, to propel yourself. Yoga may provide some strength training as well. It depends upon if it is Hatha (stretching) or power yoga. Hatha does not build muscle really.

You do not have to wait a day for recovery, unless your are really sore the next day.