Cardio Bunny? Stop It – Stop It Now!

harlanJEN

I primarily lift weights, but also walk. In the past, my primary exercise was power walking.

My resting heart rate is 48. I'm pretty darn strong. I could certainly power walk 4+ miles EASY . My right knee would put a halt to that way before my cardiovascular system.

BALANCE. gotta have it : )

And ... Far fewer posts just to get folks riled up on the cardio vs strength train would be nice too : )

PAnn1

I guess some of us who are older people with joint problems are up the creek then because a lot of resistance exercise is just not good for me. I have arthritis in virtually every joint I possess, and I do some exercises with light weights on occasion but I don't see me doing much more than that because my joints can't handle that and I can't handle the pain I am left with afterwards. I have had both knees replaced and I am no spring chicken so I will continue with my cardio thank you as I have had some success with it.

^^^^^THIS^^^^

MakingProgress

I think the entire article is ridiculous. She bases her opinion in part on a study that used postmenopausal women?! And she thinks the same science would apply to a 20-something college student? Her logic is not only flawed, it's non-existent.

Balance is the way to go, no doubt about it, but I would never take seriously a college student who advocated throwing out years of research by hundreds of others that suggest there are major benefits to cardio exercise, based on her personal experience and one study. If someone wants to be a "cardio bunny" what are they hurting? They may not get the results the author thinks they should get, but if they're happy with it, well then, let them get on with it.

I know that the article says at the beginning that it's not aimed at those who use cardio as part of an overall fitness regime, but let's be honest - most people are going to gloss over that and use this as an excuse to skip an exercise they don't like doing. It sets a dangerous precedent, and I really hope that she understands for people who are losing weight, cardio is an integral part of that journey, particularly when someone has a lot of weight to lose.

GoMizzou99

And so the debate continues...Being an engineer, on my weight loss journey, I tracked/charted everything...I mean geeky-level everything - weight, BP, pulse, inches, etc., etc., etc.

I love golf (walk-use pull cart), ride a mt. bike, treadmill in foul weather, did Insanity, and lifted light to moderate (10 to 15 reps). I mix it up because too much of one thing is SO FREAKING BORING...except for golf!

40 pounds later CARDIO DID ONE THING FOR ME THAT WAS HUGE: My at rest pulse was around 84 in my former fat self and is now around 60 in my new made-it-to-maintenance-self. I also have a lot more stamina.

Moral of the story, find what works and do it. But be smart...log honestly, track, chart, measure, set realistic goals.

harlanJEN

I guess some of us who are older people with joint problems are up the creek then because a lot of resistance exercise is just not good for me. I have arthritis in virtually every joint I possess, and I do some exercises with light weights on occasion but I don't see me doing much more than that because my joints can't handle that and I can't handle the pain I am left with afterwards. I have had both knees replaced and I am no spring chicken so I will continue with my cardio thank you as I have had some success with it.

^^^^^THIS^^^^

Joints and "old age" . I always do a little SIGH : ) can't help it .

Anyhoooo. Resistance training can actually be pretty darn good for those " joints", bones, muscles .... It's all about what you CAN do, not what you CAN'T do. everyone seems to automatically think barbells ..but resistance training is much more than that. Bands and body weight ! I encourage you to check out bodyweight exercises at www.nerdfitness.com. Or a nifty book entitled Your Body Is Your Gym.

And age ? Ernestine Shephard . wanna be her when I grow up

mmapags

I guess some of us who are older people with joint problems are up the creek then because a lot of resistance exercise is just not good for me. I have arthritis in virtually every joint I possess, and I do some exercises with light weights on occasion but I don't see me doing much more than that because my joints can't handle that and I can't handle the pain I am left with afterwards. I have had both knees replaced and I am no spring chicken so I will continue with my cardio thank you as I have had some success with it.

^^^^^THIS^^^^

Joints and "old age" . I always do a little SIGH : ) can't help it .

Anyhoooo. Resistance training can actually be pretty darn good for those " joints", bones, muscles .... It's all about what you CAN do, not what you CAN'T do. everyone seems to automatically think barbells ..but resistance training is much more than that. Bands and body weight ! I encourage you to check out bodyweight exercises at www.nerdfitness.com. Or a nifty book entitled Your Body Is Your Gym.

And age ? Ernestine Shephard . wanna be her when I grow up

Totally this! I am 61 and other than recovery times, I just don't see what age has to do with it. My bones and joints and muscles do better when I work them than when I don't. And yes, I too have some arthritis. Stop worrying about what you can't do and figure out what you can. You may surprise yourself. I know I have!

bpmartyr

I do plenty of resistance training but also run everyday. Mainly so I can eat more food! Love me some food

EatingRight123

victorious27

I'm sure 95% of the men out there would want to be ripped than run a mile. Running a mile is cool, but offers little real world benefits.

Until the zombie apocalypse. :indifferent:

I do both. I love running. I consider myself a runner. Strength training makes me a better runner. With a fantastic *kitten*.

Is it wrong that I giggled when I read this..?
I do the same as LorinaLynn...just less running and more walking right now 'cause I'm still training my lungs to withstand me running.

billsica

Why do people insist on countering the rules of zombieland? Cardio and double tap people.

^^this. You can dead lift a zombie as its tearing your intestines out.

SweetMe1

I do resistance training because there's an elderly woman at my church whose arms are so weak she cannot take a casserole out of the oven. I realized, at 60, that my arms were much weaker than they should be so I started going to a gym. I also do cardio. I don't have arthritis or any other condition which restricts me so I am lucky.

OTOH, my husband who is 64 injured his arm at work years ago and also has bad knees. He doesn't go the gym and he doesn't do any resistance training. However, he does a lot of household/yard chores and is quite active, at a normal weight, and is physically strong.

IMO, we really need to do what we can do and just not worry about the rest.

MaryJane_8810002

So something is wrong with me since I did a two hour walk after thanksgiving dinner? Not punishing just making room for pie. This article is invalid. By the way I love strength training.

ashumeow

For my women who don't do any type of resistance exercise, read this.

http://www.soheeleefitness.com/exercise/cardio/cardio-bunny-stop-it-stop-it-now/

Pay close attention to this section below, so many people are guilty of this.

4. Cardio as compensatory behavior.

i do only cardio and only cardio everyday... I don't do strength training and i don't need it too.

iAMsmiling

Didn't we just have a cardio/weight lifting Either/Or thread recently?

Silliness, every last time.

geekyjock76

i do only cardio and only cardio everyday... I don't do strength training and i don't need it too.

You will need strength training as you age as it becomes the most important and necessary component of fitness. Without it, you'll lead a diminished quality of life which will affect every day activities such as cleaning, bathing, using the bathroom, feeding, etc.

VelociMama

For the "lift only" crowd, there's a good article by Lyle about the benefits of doing some cardio for mass gains and strength training that presents a nice counterbalance to the original article: http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/muscle-gain/cardio-and-mass-gains.html

Here are a couple more on the same lines as the OP explained a bit differently as well:

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/why-big-caloric-deficits-and-lots-of-activity-can-hurt-fat-loss.html

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/too-much-cardio-followup.html

Good post OP! Just adding a little more to the discussion.

Personally, I think a balanced approach is ideal for long-term health and overall fitness though heavy lifting will improve physique more than just cardio. Totally agree that cardio should not be done as "punishment" for overeating as well.

testease

I do a cardio session every day, none of this HIIT crap, but liss as to not take away from recovery, and it lets me eat more calories. winning.

tracypk

Thank you for sharing. Very valuable information. I will definately take it to heart.

xkdrowex

I didn't read the article... but no article will make me stop running. I love to run.. in fact, off I go right now. hehe.. (I also do Jillian 3xs a week so I'm not a cardio only junkie but I've lost 20 lbs this year and a good portion of that I owe to running..my new found love....and the Academy, I'd like to thank them too..)

logicman69

I'm sure 95% of the men out there would want to be ripped than run a mile. Running a mile is cool, but offers little real world benefits. Being ripped with muscles offers a TON of real world benefit as well as at least SOME of the cardiovascular and most if not all of the health effects.

Really?? No "Real World Benifits"? Try telling that to the policeman who has to run down a criminal, or the military person who has to run for cover, or the firefighter running into a burning building to save a life. I'm sure those guys are more willing to be able to run that mile than to have a 6 pack anyday.

Yep, I run. Why, because I can. For years I had never been able to run at all. Hell, even walking up a flight of stairs made me winded. Now I take pleasure in being able to run distances without stopping. It makes me feel good, and really isn't that what this is all about? Making us feel good about ourselves? So lift, run, play racketball, swim, ski, snowboard, or do whatever it is that makes you move and feel good.. like Nike said.. Just Do It!

Mguilmot

You know, plenty of men only engage in cardio-only exercise, too. I know guys who only exercise is running or racquetball or cycling.

Just sayin'

Never killed me. Never stopped my progress ;-) I don't really care what people like to do themselves, but they shouldn't tell me that doing only cardio is not the way to go

meerkat70

Oh ffs.

How many times... ?

bgraz1994

I do cardio everytime I go to the gym, but I never do just cardio. I also incorporate weights, resistance band training, calisthenics, and stretching

ErinGBragh

I do cardio and just started doing a P90X-type program to get in strength training. I found this article interesting about the benefits of strength training (one of the reasons I started):

http://www.naturalnews.com/011285.html

However, I do agree that it's about doing what you enjoy doing first and foremost. I've also seen with a lot of people that they begin to incorporate strength training as they get more into their weight loss. Sometimes it takes seeing a loss of weight to get motivated.

jonnyman41

what an insulting load of rubbish that article is. why are we even debating something based on one person's unscientific thoughts. I am not arguing whether cardio or lifting is the b all and end all of weight loss, body shaping etc.. though I believe both serve a purpose and are not worth comparing like for like since they do different things. But to take one article that is actually highly insulting to anyone happening to follow a different method and then spread the news that it is the one and only way, is ridiculous.

I also find the term cardio bunny highly insulting too since it suggests something weak and fluffy yet many runners/swimmers/cyclists are extremely hard working and very fit.

I would add here that many professional runners/swimmers etc have training programmes that include the cardio they do for the sport and a mix of cardio and weights/strength training for peak performances (and they usually have great bodies too)

Amanda82691

I love cardio! Specifically HIIT cardio, I love how energized I feel after a good sweat fest and then refueling my body with good healthy fuel. I do a lot of weight training as well. I feel like doing both helps my body all around personally. I try not to do both heavy lifting and heavy HIIT on the same days but I like to get a good amount of both in during the week I can see and understand the points made about steady paced, low endurance cardio but HIIT cardio is wonderful!

meerkat70

Why are we debating anything written by an OP who starts his post with the phrase "For my women"... ?

Is that the sound of knuckles dragging that I hear?

mamasmaltz3

Article that talks about the benefits of strength training for arthritis patients.

http://www.arthritistoday.org/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/staying-active/why-lift-weights.php

Another article about the benefits of strength training for women. What is recommended is not "extreme" but start out at what you can and increase wieght as you get stronger.

http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/exercise/weight_training/benefits.htm

This article is specific to older women and the benefits of strength training.

http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/growingstronger/index.html


I do both cardio and strength training. My cardio is usually some kind of HIIT. But, I thinkif you are a woman regardless of age, health, or fitness level strength training is a must. Do you have to bench press you body weight? No. But fighting the natural loss as you age of muscle tissue and bone density are imperative for a long, healthy life with the added benefit of a better quality of life.

scottb81

my gym is weird. there's also a bunch of emaciated looking men folk who live on cardio machines

My gym is weird too. There are a bunch of men with pregnant bellies who live in the weight room.

cama78

I'm more into body weight exercises and some cardio...but yes, I have seen women hopping all around gyms I used to work out at-and they never lost a pound and their bodies didn't change. You need some resistance. Though-I don't really like weights either...so body weight exercises work for me. I don't care about being ripped body builder style. I think it's gross on women to be honest.