cardio is pointless in my opinion

furenaef
furenaef Posts: 157 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
why use all your energy tying to create a deficit in your body to lose weight? why not just channel that energy to muscle development.

and before anyone gets butt hurt, i kayak and cycle every weekend.

unless you are in a sport that requires aerobic fitness, then yeah there is a point, but other then that just a waste of time.
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Replies

  • Mighty_Rabite
    Mighty_Rabite Posts: 581 Member
    I think it is good to do cardio here and there, but I have to admit I also place more importance and precedence personally on resistance workouts.

    As long as people stay moving, that's the biggest factor in fitness, I think. After all.. the people that let age dictate how much they think they can do.. ever notice they hit the worst declines?
  • AEFidgets
    AEFidgets Posts: 243
    Until the zombies come.......

    Seriously though I think the aerobic benefits are better here then with just strength training. I like to incorporate both.
  • furenaef
    furenaef Posts: 157 Member
    I think it is good to do cardio here and there, but I have to admit I also place more importance and precedence personally on resistance workouts.

    As long as people stay moving, that's the biggest factor in fitness, I think. After all.. the people that let age dictate how much they think they can do.. ever notice they hit the worst declines?

    agree, limits are for weak people.

    i think cardio should be for fun and not for actual weight loss. example, you burn more then you ate doing cardio= you lose some weight, keep eating less, and working out more, and more, that equation just doesnt work. Your body will be recked.
  • lyttlewon
    lyttlewon Posts: 1,118 Member
    I do cardio because I enjoy it. At least as much as I can enjoy exercise.
  • Julicat6
    Julicat6 Posts: 231 Member
    Why does it have to be an either/or question? Strength training and lifting improves metabolism long term as muscle is more thermogenic than fat. Strength training and lifting also improve bone density. Cardiovascular improves heart function, hence the reason it is called Cardiovascular. Cardio=heart in latin, vascular=veins. Improved heart function improves lung function and endurance.
    Sure, you can lose weight doing just one or the other, but then you miss out on other health benefits. Just like we focus on balanced nutrition we should also focus on balanced fitness. Not everyone can join a gym or buy weights, but everyone can go out for a walk, take the stairs, and other cardiovascular exercises. Form matters much more in strength training to prevent injury, not everyone can develop good form without a trainer.
    I think instead of criticizing people who are focused on one over the other people should understand that everyone's abilities and resources are different and anything that leads to weight loss and healthier lifestyle should be applauded.
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    I run because I have 5 kids at home and it's the only way I get out alone... you can't make me stop. But I will admit I love what lifting is doing for my body.
  • 13pointUNO
    13pointUNO Posts: 51
    tell that to my heart, my cholesterol levels, and my mental well-being
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    I think it is good to do cardio here and there, but I have to admit I also place more importance and precedence personally on resistance workouts.

    As long as people stay moving, that's the biggest factor in fitness, I think. After all.. the people that let age dictate how much they think they can do.. ever notice they hit the worst declines?

    agree, limits are for weak people.

    i think cardio should be for fun and not for actual weight loss. example, you burn more then you ate doing cardio= you lose some weight, keep eating less, and working out more, and more, that equation just doesnt work. Your body will be recked.

    i dunno if i consider it fun, but i do it because i want to start running 10k again and eventually do a sprint distance biathlon and maybe a sprint triathlon

    but in terms of weight loss, the main ways i do that are eating at a deficit and weight lifting
  • CINDYRN33
    CINDYRN33 Posts: 148 Member
    I am sure that all cardiologists would disagree. Just sayin.
  • Cespuglio
    Cespuglio Posts: 385 Member
    Why does it have to be an either/or question? Strength training and lifting improves metabolism long term as muscle is more thermogenic than fat. Strength training and lifting also improve bone density. Cardiovascular improves heart function, hence the reason it is called Cardiovascular. Cardio=heart in latin, vascular=veins. Improved heart function improves lung function and endurance.
    Sure, you can lose weight doing just one or the other, but then you miss out on other health benefits. Just like we focus on balanced nutrition we should also focus on balanced fitness. Not everyone can join a gym or buy weights, but everyone can go out for a walk, take the stairs, and other cardiovascular exercises. Form matters much more in strength training to prevent injury, not everyone can develop good form without a trainer.
    I think instead of criticizing people who are focused on one over the other people should understand that everyone's abilities and resources are different and anything that leads to weight loss and healthier lifestyle should be applauded.

    I think this comment should be applauded.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    I am sure that all cardiologists would disagree. Just sayin.

    but that's for heart health right? the OP is talking about weight loss.
  • JezzD1
    JezzD1 Posts: 431
    :noway: whaaaaaaaaaa :laugh:
  • sarahisme18
    sarahisme18 Posts: 574 Member
    why use all your energy tying to create a deficit in your body to lose weight? why not just channel that energy to muscle development.

    and before anyone gets butt hurt, i kayak and cycle every weekend.

    unless you are in a sport that requires aerobic fitness, then yeah there is a point, but other then that just a waste of time.

    Meh, I think it's good once or twice a week to keep your cardiovascular system in tip top shape. And, if you're like me, it's fun as heck. I don't care what it is... dancing, running, etc. I loooove me some cardio.

    But yes, channeling the energy into muscle development is a better bang for your buck, so to speak!
  • kdeaux1959
    kdeaux1959 Posts: 2,675 Member
    Strength -- Endurance -- Speed -- Flexibility. All are important in their proper boundaries. I understand your point but personally I see it as balance in all things.
  • moonmistmm
    moonmistmm Posts: 178 Member
    I run because I enjoy it. I also play sports where running is involved. It keeps your heart healthy too.
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    Running is the best thing ever for my mood.
    And that helps my general wellbeing and helps me keep on track with healthy eating. And I don't mind burning extra calories - how can being more active be a problem?

    So, for me - it's a winner.
    Not that I'm knocking strength training - I know that's good for me, but doesn't do for me what running does.
  • Sharkington
    Sharkington Posts: 485
    Some of us actually enjoy doing cardio as part of our exercise routine...you know, because it makes us happy and gives us positive results.

    I think strength training is great, too, but I would not go as far as to say cardio is a waste of time - even if you're not doing it for a sport, whaaa?
  • ElizaRoche
    ElizaRoche Posts: 2,005 Member
    Why does it have to be an either/or question? Strength training and lifting improves metabolism long term as muscle is more thermogenic than fat. Strength training and lifting also improve bone density. Cardiovascular improves heart function, hence the reason it is called Cardiovascular. Cardio=heart in latin, vascular=veins. Improved heart function improves lung function and endurance.
    Sure, you can lose weight doing just one or the other, but then you miss out on other health benefits. Just like we focus on balanced nutrition we should also focus on balanced fitness. Not everyone can join a gym or buy weights, but everyone can go out for a walk, take the stairs, and other cardiovascular exercises. Form matters much more in strength training to prevent injury, not everyone can develop good form without a trainer.
    I think instead of criticizing people who are focused on one over the other people should understand that everyone's abilities and resources are different and anything that leads to weight loss and healthier lifestyle should be applauded.

    I think this comment should be applauded.

    indeed!

    fitness gurus = annoying. To each their own, stop worrying about what other ppl enjoy and start worrying about what YOU do.. Just saying.
  • citygirl04
    citygirl04 Posts: 286 Member
    Opinions vary.
  • tsh0ck
    tsh0ck Posts: 1,970 Member
    you're right. cardiovascular fitness is dumb.
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    I think to combine the two is best i still burn lots of calories weight training but hell i like cardio so why not lol
  • tsh0ck
    tsh0ck Posts: 1,970 Member
    (and this, from the book brain rules)
    The human brain evolved under conditions of almost constant motion. From this, one might predict that the optimal environment for processing information would include motion. That is exactly what one finds. Indeed, the best business meeting would have everyone walking at about 1.8 miles per hour.

    Researchers studied two elderly populations that had led different lifestyles, one sedentary and one active. Cognitive scores were profoundly influenced. Exercise positively affected executive function, spatial tasks, reaction times and quantitative skills.

    So researchers asked: If the sedentary populations become active, will their cognitive scores go up? Yes, it turns out, if the exercise is aerobic. In four months, executive functions vastly improve; longer, and memory scores improve as well.

    Exercise improves cognition for two reasons:

    Exercise increases oxygen flow into the brain, which reduces brain-bound free radicals. One of the most interesting findings of the past few decades is that an increase in oxygen is always accompanied by an uptick in mental sharpness.
    Exercise acts directly on the molecular machinery of the brain itself. It increases neurons’ creation, survival, and resistance to damage and stress.
  • Hearts_2015
    Hearts_2015 Posts: 12,032 Member
    :huh: Cardio pointless???? not for me it's not!!! I love strength training and I love cardio, I find it FUN & they both serve a purpose in my opinion. This is my opinion on what I choose for myself...it's working, to me, that's what is most important.

    always mystified when I see an entire thread bashing either cardio or weights... is there a real point to bashing either?

    We all have different bodies, at different stages, please consider new ppl looking to lose weight and how these threads may look to them... yes those that have 100's of lbs. to lose, how can cardio be pointless?

    I don't agree :yawn: shrugs.....

    but OP you did add that in the thread title that was your opinion....... and this is mine.:flowerforyou:

    Say someone jumped on board and said: "In my opinion carrots are pointless, stop eating them".... we should all toss them out and stop? Different strokes for different folks..... I like carrots and I like eating them before my cardio workouts as a matter of fact. :tongue: :wink: :bigsmile:
    I think to combine the two is best i still burn lots of calories weight training but hell i like cardio so why not lol
    exactly, why the hell not?! :o)

    One thing I do enjoy about threads like this and others that cram opinions on us that may not apply to everyone, the ignore feature, so handy to have to not have to hear repeat comments that aren't ones that work for me.

    All hail the ignore feature, which I don't find pointless either... even after a carrot or two.rolleye0019.gif
    Why does it have to be an either/or question?
    :drinker:

    <snip>... stop worrying about what other ppl enjoy and start worrying about what YOU do..
    well said
    Cardio is pointless in your opinion, but your opinion and this thread are pointless in my opinion.

    :drinker:
    that made me smile:bigsmile:
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Muscle development on a deficit...hmmmmm...or are you saying everyone should stay and get fatter to develop muscle?


    Why does your profile say you are female?
  • marywilsoncline
    marywilsoncline Posts: 301 Member
    just like giving ones opinion is pointless unless asked too :grumble:
  • RychelleD
    RychelleD Posts: 103 Member
    Why does it have to be an either/or question? Strength training and lifting improves metabolism long term as muscle is more thermogenic than fat. Strength training and lifting also improve bone density. Cardiovascular improves heart function, hence the reason it is called Cardiovascular. Cardio=heart in latin, vascular=veins. Improved heart function improves lung function and endurance.
    Sure, you can lose weight doing just one or the other, but then you miss out on other health benefits. Just like we focus on balanced nutrition we should also focus on balanced fitness. Not everyone can join a gym or buy weights, but everyone can go out for a walk, take the stairs, and other cardiovascular exercises. Form matters much more in strength training to prevent injury, not everyone can develop good form without a trainer.
    I think instead of criticizing people who are focused on one over the other people should understand that everyone's abilities and resources are different and anything that leads to weight loss and healthier lifestyle should be applauded.
  • anifani4
    anifani4 Posts: 457 Member
    Why does it have to be an either/or question? Strength training and lifting improves metabolism long term as muscle is more thermogenic than fat. Strength training and lifting also improve bone density. Cardiovascular improves heart function, hence the reason it is called Cardiovascular. Cardio=heart in latin, vascular=veins. Improved heart function improves lung function and endurance.
    Sure, you can lose weight doing just one or the other, but then you miss out on other health benefits. Just like we focus on balanced nutrition we should also focus on balanced fitness. Not everyone can join a gym or buy weights, but everyone can go out for a walk, take the stairs, and other cardiovascular exercises. Form matters much more in strength training to prevent injury, not everyone can develop good form without a trainer.
    I think instead of criticizing people who are focused on one over the other people should understand that everyone's abilities and resources are different and anything that leads to weight loss and healthier lifestyle should be applauded.

    Perfect answer.
  • Lift_hard_eat_big
    Lift_hard_eat_big Posts: 2,278 Member
    Improving your cardio vascular system will carry over into your strength training. Improving your heart's ability to pump more blood and oxygen to your muscles while strength training is critical.
  • NocturnalGirl
    NocturnalGirl Posts: 1,762
    There is no point at all? Just because it is not a necessity for weight loss it doesn't mean there's no point. Some people simply enjoy it and there are some benefits health-wise. And why can't we do both strength training AND cardio?

    Also, what? Muscle development on a deficit? :huh:
  • rwhawkes
    rwhawkes Posts: 117 Member
    I love cardio - put on the ipod, get the heart rate up to 80 - 90% yah baby. I like cycling when the weather permits and I like the elliptical and stationary bike in the gym. I cannot wait till I've taken off enough weight so my ankles and knees will allow me to run 10K, 21K, 42,2K. I like the resting heart rate in the low 50s and I find weight training supremely boring. Unless I'm chopping and stacking wood.

    Just my opinion.

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