How much weight training versus straight cardio

ouandi

A little background, I been weight training for years. One day with a trainer and two other days in a weight training class/circuit type class. Then I do maybe one other day of just cardio. It was working fine for me for awhile but now I'm noticing I'm bulking up but my body fat is not changing (still 30% measured by caliburs). This means my weight is also going up. My trainer thinks I just need to do more cardio to burn off some of the muscle but honestly with two small children more exercising is just not feasible right now.

Last week I tried just one day of weight training and then lower heartrate cardio for three other days but I feel like I've ballooned up overnight around my middle. My total calorie burned from exercised is lower this way but "supposedly" more from fat.

So what's a good ratio of weight training to cardio?

I just did a fitness assessment with the mask and tubes and got my exact resting metabolic rate as well as my exercise metabolic rate. They told me I was exercising at too high of a heart rate and burning too many sugars versus burning fat so they gave me a program to keep my heartrate at at between 130-135 bpm. But with the less calories burned I feel like I'm even more bulky.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I'm 5'5", 159lbs, 30% body fat, size 8

ouandi

I'm bumping this up because I saw a similar question posted and would love some advice on my particular situation. Thanks!

patty43ck

I am confused about the whole heart rate thing too! Previously, I would run or do elliptical and and have sweat poring off of me but my heart rate seemed to be always in the 175 range which is considered to be to high and not really efficient for burning calories. Something about your body getting enough oxygen. I am supposed to be keeping my heart rate in the 135-140 range. It is very hard for me to do that because I don't feel like I am doing anything. So I have been doing that but just going for a full hour now instead of 30 minutes so I feel like I am burning enough calories. Supposedly, I will be able to work myself up to being able to run longer without increasing my heart rate therefore keeping myself in that same fat burning mode. You have to work yourself up to it so that your body processes it more efficiently. Does this make sense?

shrimpfire

I personally think the older u get u should spend more time with cardio than wts: for arms shoulders I recommend push ups:an crunches for midsection for cardio I do cycling an swiming an walking

gaelyngaelyn

http://exercise.about.com/od/weightloss/a/The-Truth-About-The-Fat-Burning-Zone.htm

lizard053

I do both cardio and weights every time I'm at the gym. Then I do other cardio and yoga the other days. I definitely do more cardio than strength training, but I know I'm losing muscle there too. The ideal balance is what works for you. That steady state cardio is great for increasing your cardiovascular health, but isn't going to be doing that much more for you in the way of fat burning than anything else. As long as your heart won't give out, go for the higher intensities. Especially if you enjoy it!

meshashesha2012

I personally think the older u get u should spend more time with cardio than wts: for arms shoulders I recommend push ups:an crunches for midsection for cardio I do cycling an swiming an walking

this lady is 74 and lifts heavy things. she looks better than a lot of 30 year old i know..