Only Cardio or lifting too...????
melindadunston
Posts: 157
I still have about 15-17 lbs to lose(depending on the day). Currently I am working out 4-5 times per week. 3-4 of those days I have limited time and am only able to be at the gym for an hr. Should I only do cardio to burn the calories until I get to my goal or should I continue to do 30-45mins of cardio and then lift for about 15mins. I usually do arm and ab machines. I don't do legs the cardio works them enough for me. One day a week I have the time to go about 2hrs so I do 1hr plus of cardio and then other stuff.
So keep doing what I am doing or focus only on cardio until I lose the weight then add weight training to the mix?
*Areas of concern...arms need toned and my horrible stomach. Two babies and a c-section, It's not pretty!
Thanks
So keep doing what I am doing or focus only on cardio until I lose the weight then add weight training to the mix?
*Areas of concern...arms need toned and my horrible stomach. Two babies and a c-section, It's not pretty!
Thanks
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Replies
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BUMP0
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If you're going to drop anything, drop the cardio. Lift heavy and keep your HR up.0
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Lift, and don't neglect the legs. Cardio isn't enough.
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4-5 days per week is plenty
do lifting 2 times and cardio 3 times, and some fun cardio the 5th time (or you can add 3rd day of lifting)
lifting will take less than 1h
look up New Rules of lifting for women of stronglifts0 -
If I were you, I'd be lifting 30-45mins then cardio for 15mins. The benefits of resistance training are huge.0
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If you're going to drop anything, drop the cardio. Lift heavy and keep your HR up.
Ok no... cardio is just as important as strength training!
Do both, and concentrate on your running more during running season/race time, but definitly get some lifting in there as well
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If you're going to drop anything, drop the cardio. Lift heavy and keep your HR up.
Ok no... cardio is just as important as strength training!
Do both, and concentrate on your running more during running season/race time, but definitly get some lifting in there as well
Not for the goals outlined in the OP it's not.0 -
Cardio is a fat burner. if you wanna get in a great shape cardio is not enough. You gotta do weights as well. What i do is doing weights on a different part of body every day and cardio after, around 40 to 60 mins. Girls dont be scared to use weights, youre not gonna get hench like your boyfriends lol. Its to firm and tone your body. Keep it up!0
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If you're going to drop anything, drop the cardio. Lift heavy and keep your HR up.
Ok no... cardio is just as important as strength training!
Do both, and concentrate on your running more during running season/race time, but definitly get some lifting in there as well
Well I have one more race scheduled on Labor Day and then I am going to take it easy until early spring on the running thing. I want to get the entire body in shape over the winter. I am just not sure on which approach to take.0 -
If you're going to drop anything, drop the cardio. Lift heavy and keep your HR up.
Ok no... cardio is just as important as strength training!
Do both, and concentrate on your running more during running season/race time, but definitly get some lifting in there as well
I didn't say she should drop the cardio, but if she is short on time and needs to drop something it should not be strength.0 -
Definitely do some lifting - and not with Barbie weights. Pick up the big boy weights. They will reshape your body like you won't believe.
Be prepared for some weight GAIN at first, though. Actually, stop looking at the scale for a few weeks when you start, and simply go buy measurements & how your clothing fits.0 -
If I were you, I'd be lifting 30-45mins then cardio for 15mins. The benefits of resistance training are huge.
Agree!0 -
If you're going to drop anything, drop the cardio. Lift heavy and keep your HR up.
Ok no... cardio is just as important as strength training!
Do both, and concentrate on your running more during running season/race time, but definitly get some lifting in there as well
Well I have one more race scheduled on Labor Day and then I am going to take it easy until early spring on the running thing. I want to get the entire body in shape over the winter. I am just not sure on which approach to take.
Ok, so do just enough cardio to keep yourself going - I'm presuming that you're going to resume running and racing next year. I'm concerned that if you drop cardio completley, you'll fall behind come race season next year.
Look up 5X5 and New Rules of Lifting For Women - that should be a good starting point 0 -
Personally, I warm up for 20 mins on a treadmill/rower... Then hit the weights following an adapted 5x5 program, with an extra set in to failure at a lighter weight - starting with my legs first and finishing on upper body. Then I do high intensity cardio for another 30-40 mins depending what i'm doing. If you don't like doing constant pace, interval training is your friend.
I always like to finish off with a little cardio after because it helps get blood pumping around your body at the end of your session which improves recovery due to transporting lactic acid away and flushing your muscles with fresh blood/nutrients, plus because you've already depleted your ATP stores by lifting... Your body turns to burning fat quicker to supply the energy to do that cardio at the end.0 -
Lift, and don't neglect the legs. Cardio isn't enough.
Love this! Just started P90x and going as heavy as I can Something to look forward to! 0 -
If I were you, I'd be lifting 30-45mins then cardio for 15mins. The benefits of resistance training are huge.
^^^^This. If your looking to drop fat & reshape your body. Cardio is great for cardiovascular health.0 -
If I were you, I'd be lifting 30-45mins then cardio for 15mins. The benefits of resistance training are huge.
^^^^This. If your looking to drop fat & reshape your body. Cardio is great for cardiovascular health.
Ok Lifting is it. Now to look up those websites suggested to find out how to do it...lol I use the machines now and do 3 reps of 10. That doesn't take me long enough.0 -
you're doing yourself a serious injustice by not doing strength training on your LEGS! Your legs are your largest muscles so you should be doing strength on them..... squats, lunges, leg press work wonders! A good blend of cardio and strength is key - you should be doing strength training - LIFT HEAVY - 3 days a week. It only takes an hour.0
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I agree with most everybody on here, do a short 15-20 minutes of strong lifts and cardio. Concentrate on lifts that work multiple body parts, not isolation. You could try doing interval training for your cardio and do just 15 minutes, 1 minute low, 1 minute very high intensity, this should help burn extra calories but shorten the duration.0
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If I were you, I'd be lifting 30-45mins then cardio for 15mins. The benefits of resistance training are huge.
^^^^This. If your looking to drop fat & reshape your body. Cardio is great for cardiovascular health.
Ok Lifting is it. Now to look up those websites suggested to find out how to do it...lol I use the machines now and do 3 reps of 10. That doesn't take me long enough.
OH and stop using the machines. do free weights to help work your stabilizer muscles....
ALSO if you're going to do strength & cardio in the same day (which is fine) do strength first, every time.0 -
Do cardio and Strength.
Contrary to popular belief, running does not workout or build leg muscles... you need weights for that. So please, start doing squats, lunges, etc... Your running will improve, and when you lose all the weight you need to you will look proportionate instead on toned on top with bird legs.0 -
And for more reasons to weight-train your legs... I went from running 5k races at a 9 minute mile to an 8 minute mile after a few months of strength training last summer.0
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If I were you, I'd be lifting 30-45mins then cardio for 15mins. The benefits of resistance training are huge.
^^^^This. If your looking to drop fat & reshape your body. Cardio is great for cardiovascular health.
Ok Lifting is it. Now to look up those websites suggested to find out how to do it...lol I use the machines now and do 3 reps of 10. That doesn't take me long enough.
OH and stop using the machines. do free weights to help work your stabilizer muscles....
ALSO if you're going to do strength & cardio in the same day (which is fine) do strength first, every time.
Why does everyone say the machines are so bad? Why are they? I am just wondering. I have heard the free weights are better I just am not sure why.
I also have NO CLUE as to how to work on my abs without the ab machines.0 -
And for more reasons to weight-train your legs... I went from running 5k races at a 9 minute mile to an 8 minute mile after a few months of strength training last summer.
I will start leg weight training.0 -
If I were you, I'd be lifting 30-45mins then cardio for 15mins. The benefits of resistance training are huge.
^^^^This. If your looking to drop fat & reshape your body. Cardio is great for cardiovascular health.
Ok Lifting is it. Now to look up those websites suggested to find out how to do it...lol I use the machines now and do 3 reps of 10. That doesn't take me long enough.
OH and stop using the machines. do free weights to help work your stabilizer muscles....
ALSO if you're going to do strength & cardio in the same day (which is fine) do strength first, every time.
Why does everyone say the machines are so bad? Why are they? I am just wondering. I have heard the free weights are better I just am not sure why.
I also have NO CLUE as to how to work on my abs without the ab machines.
Machines force you into awkward positions and don't work the stabilizer muscles.
Free weights allow for a more natural range of motion, plus work the stabilizer muscles.
As far as abs go, planks, sit ups, hanging leg raises, v-ups, oblique twists are just a few that you can... there are a million ab exercises you can do without a machine... Just use google!0 -
An even balance between cardio and strength training is good. Try more intense cardio for a shorter time, and more strength training involving as many muscles as you can.0
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I did machines up until about a month ago, until I got free weights for home. It's a MUCH better workout.
Those stabilizer muscles Dad106 talked about? Sitting in the chair of the machine doing shoulder presses, for instance, works your shoulders. Standing and doing an overhead press works your whole body. I feel it in my back, my abs, my legs... Same for doing a real bench press vs. the chest press machine. And especially on squats and dead lifts!!!
Doing free weights, there's really no need to do extra ab exercises.0 -
If I were you, I'd be lifting 30-45mins then cardio for 15mins. The benefits of resistance training are huge.
^^^^This. If your looking to drop fat & reshape your body. Cardio is great for cardiovascular health.
Ok Lifting is it. Now to look up those websites suggested to find out how to do it...lol I use the machines now and do 3 reps of 10. That doesn't take me long enough.
OH and stop using the machines. do free weights to help work your stabilizer muscles....
ALSO if you're going to do strength & cardio in the same day (which is fine) do strength first, every time.
Why does everyone say the machines are so bad? Why are they? I am just wondering. I have heard the free weights are better I just am not sure why.
I also have NO CLUE as to how to work on my abs without the ab machines.
The machines take your stabilizer muscles out of the equation. There are several programs you can do. New rules of lifting, stronglifts, starting strength. Watch videos on form. Ripptoe has several.0 -
Definitely do both!0
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If I were you, I'd be lifting 30-45mins then cardio for 15mins. The benefits of resistance training are huge.
I agree with this!
I have seen more changes in my body doing 45 mins of weights 3x per week than when I was doing 4 hour long spin classes per week. You are much better off doing 30-45 mins weights with 15 mins of HIIT at the end.0
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