Get Off That Treadmill! Cardio is Counterproductive!

Yo_Lazarov

Hello Gym Bunnies!

Hope you're all dandy. :0)

I'm afraid I'm the barer of bad news... well, simply relaying some new revelation: yup... as the title of the post says... don't waste your life on cardio! According to an article in Muscle and Fitness October Issue (Page 114) mixing it up prior or post weight training will detract from the intensity and performance. So get off that treadmill and go home!

So? What do you do? When do you integrate cardio in your routine, pre-workout, post-workout or on separate times or dedicated to only cardio days? How often do you cardio your fat off?

Thank you! :0))

meshashesha2012

i cardio for my heart health and because i want to start running 10k races so i have no idea how it' counterproductive to not run when i want to run.

BUT the main focus of my eight loss workout is weight lifting, mainly strong lifts where i lift very heavy weights. i only workout 60 minutes at a time so there's no need to do cardio on lifting days then the lifting can take me 45+ minutes not counting my warmups, stretching and foam rolling.

i lift 3 days a week and do cardio 2-3 days a week

SunnyAndrsn

i cardio for my heart health and because i want to start running 10k races so i have no idea how it' counterproductive to not run when i want to run.

I agree--my cardio is, as is implied in the name, is to improve my cardiovascular health. I've lost 52 pounds so far, going from a tight size 22 to a very comfortable size 16. My body fat percentage has decreased dramatically thus far, and I'm happy with the changes in my body.

I am to the point where I really enjoy my workouts and feel a real change in my endurance. My resting heart rate has improved dramatically. I have begun adding strength training and am working with a trainer. I'll keep doing what feels good and what has improved my health.

shammxo

*smashing head into wall*

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

I did cardio and only cardio when I started to lose weight to give me some baseline for fitness but mainly to burn some calories. Now I only do it on days I don't lift. I've already gotten kind of thin, so now I want to focus on putting on muscle.

monty619

sorry to burst your bubble... but you are completely wrong.

Ocarina

Yeah no............

I like the treadmill. It's nice when I don't want to run in yucky weather outdoors. Plus it's the whole point of the running sport. You don't have to weight lift to be healthy.

Joreanasaurous

I lift weights... but I need my treadmill too. I need my cardio bunny days. It is what gets all my passive aggression at. You wouldn't like me without my cardio.

schell81

Cardio is good for your mental state, not just physical.
Broad generalized statements are hard to take seriously, especially when your source is a magazine article.

mjhedgehog

I like running so I don't think its a "waste of time". I've lost 20lbs before mfp from running.

rubix08

I lost my first 80 lbs or so with just cardio, starting with walking then moving up to jogging. Now I try to incorporate weight training into my workouts but I try to split each day: strength three days a week, cardio 2 days, maybe 3 and I alternate and also have rest days during the week.

Jogging is something that I have found to love, or even just walking around the block. It's a great time to just listen to music or the "sounds of nature" (as cheesy as that sounds) and it just gives me time to think, plus if my calories are a bit over for the day throwing on my running shoes and heading out for 30 mins is just a relaxing way to get back on track. Too each his own I guess, weightlifting is a great way to tone your body but I wouldn't swear off running so long as my joints hold up.

jenilla1

:huh: :noway: :laugh:

I don't think so! (Not true for me anyway.) LOL

I don't run because I'm trying to meet someone else's definition of fitness. I do cardio for the cardiovascular benefits (my blood pressure is lower and my resting heart rate is awesome) and for the stress relieving endorphins it provides. I do both cardio and weights, and while weights are great for strength and toning, there's nothing like a runner's high to set my mood straight and totally energize me. (Weights boost mood too, but nothing like running does for me.) I don't have to choose, but if I DID have to pick one or the other, I'd pick cardio all the way. Whatever benefits I get from running far outweigh the negative effects it has on my weight training.

Everyone is different, and not everyone is going to have the same fitness goals or the same ways of meeting them.

taunto

NocturnalGirl

*sigh*

Sarauk2sf

Hello Gym Bunnies!

Hope you're all dandy. :0)

I'm afraid I'm the barer of bad news... well, simply relaying some new revelation: yup... as the title of the post says... don't waste your life on cardio! According to an article in Muscle and Fitness October Issue (Page 114) mixing it up prior or post weight training will detract from the intensity and performance. So get off that treadmill and go home!

So? What do you do? When do you integrate cardio in your routine, pre-workout, post-workout or on separate times or dedicated to only cardio days? How often do you cardio your fat off?

Thank you! :0))

How can cardio after lifting detract from your lifting performance?

Maybe people's focus is on cardiovascular health or running endurance and not on lifting.

I basically do not do cardio but telling people to get off the treadmill is silly imo.

mjhedgehog

:laugh:

_JR_

Where is Dr. Oz when you need him to weigh in on a topic!?!?! :laugh:

msafunk

I really hate any article that singles out certain exercises as useless or a waste of time.

Do what you're motivated to do, and stop listening to the people who say that this or that is a waste of time. NO EXERCISE IS A WASTE OF TIME IF YOU'RE DOING IT.

End of f***ing story.

LilMissImperfect

I wanted to start lifting weights. But at 350 LBs im curious if its safe? I have a bad back too so that doesnt help.

joehempel

I guess I won't run my Half Marathon Sunday....it's counter productive to everything I've ever done.

ElizaRoche

taunto

I wanted to start lifting weights. But at 350 LBs im curious if its safe? I have a bad back too so that doesnt help.

You should definitely start lifting if this is something that interests you. If you prefer cardio, do that! If you do decide to go the route of lifting however, may I suggest hiring a good trainer for a few sessions to show you proper form and workout to minimize any possible accidents.

Regarding the topic, DO WHATEVER EXERCISE YOU LIKE. If you like cardio (like I do) then do that. If you like lifting, do that. DO NOT LET SOME <INSERT COLORFUL WORDS> TELL YOU WHAT YOU SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT DO. When you do something you like, you are more likely going to do it over a long period of time. I know lifting is awesome, but I just donot enjoy it. So rather than doing something I hate, I choose to do something I love which is walking, jogging, biking and boxing. All cardio, all giving me good enough results.

pinkraynedropjacki

I've lost ALL my weight thanks to cardio. It's what I'm good at & I'll continue to do it..... no treadmill or gym needed..... so please do not call me a gym bunny cause I have never stepped foot in one. I do cardio because it gets me going for the rest of the day & helps my overall health. If I don't do my cardio I WILL snap your head off.....so everyone tells me to run.

Bite me M & F....

Lyndelee

Uhm, no. Don't believe everything you read, dear. I don't care if it was in a fitness magazine, it's not true. There are MANY reasons why cardio is good for you. A lot of them have nothing to do with physical appearance. Cardio is not counterproductive, neither is weight training. Staying on the couch, however, is!!

PapaDunx

Some people really should do their own research before posting such drivel on a public forum!!

{sigh}

Sarauk2sf

I wanted to start lifting weights. But at 350 LBs im curious if its safe? I have a bad back too so that doesnt help.

You can start lifting at any weight and if you want to do it, start asap. Lifting has loads of benefits, as does cardio, they are just different benefits for the most part. If you have a bad back I would check if there are any exercises you cannot do, however, lifting has helped my previous back issues as it has strengthened my core.

AntWrig

Hello Gym Bunnies!

Hope you're all dandy. :0)

I'm afraid I'm the barer of bad news... well, simply relaying some new revelation: yup... as the title of the post says... don't waste your life on cardio! According to an article in Muscle and Fitness October Issue (Page 114) mixing it up prior or post weight training will detract from the intensity and performance. So get off that treadmill and go home!

So? What do you do? When do you integrate cardio in your routine, pre-workout, post-workout or on separate times or dedicated to only cardio days? How often do you cardio your fat off?

Thank you! :0))

Nonsense.

It depends on the type of cardio being done. Walking on the treadmill after a workout is great for recovery. Now performing HIIT after a weight session is something, I would never do.

FitnessPalWorks

Wow.

When I was in my best shape ever, cardio was my bff. It works for my body. My body loves it. Just because some magazine said it, doesn't mean it is true.

If you read an article in a newspaper that said, "Jump off the Empire State Building and Live Longer" would you do it? No. HELLO.

Just because it is in print doesn't mean it is accurate. Don't be a puppet.

It seems I am not alone as others have posted saying the same. Cardio works. Cardio burns like crazy. Thing is, I don't go overboard with it. I don't want to look like a she-man with weights. I want to be fit. I don't want to stroke out because of raging cholesterolish junk and toxins raging through my body, I want them out of my body SAFELY....

/endtopic

geekyjock76

It seems I am not alone as others have posted saying the same. Cardio works. Cardio burns like crazy. Thing is, I don't go overboard with it. I don't want to look like a she-man with weights. I want to be fit. I don't want to stroke out because of raging cholesterolish junk and toxins raging through my body, I want them out of my body SAFELY....

/endtopic

You lost me at the "I don't want to look like a she-man with weights. I want to be fit" comment.

Sarauk2sf

Wow.

When I was in my best shape ever, cardio was my bff. It works for my body. My body loves it. Just because some magazine said it, doesn't mean it is true.

If you read an article in a newspaper that said, "Jump off the Empire State Building and Live Longer" would you do it? No. HELLO.

Just because it is in print doesn't mean it is accurate. Don't be a puppet.

It seems I am not alone as others have posted saying the same. Cardio works. Cardio burns like crazy. Thing is, I don't go overboard with it. I don't want to look like a she-man with weights. I want to be fit. I don't want to stroke out because of raging cholesterolish junk and toxins raging through my body, I want them out of my body SAFELY....

/endtopic

Yep - I look exactly like a she-man.

And what 'cholesterolish junk' toxins are you getting rid of with cardio?

Sharkington