Stop the steady state cardio today! Trust me...

Martoch
Martoch Posts: 166
in Fitness and Exercise
Unless you're training to run for distance, why waste so much time doing steady state cardio? I just saw a thread about a woman running for an hour on the treadmill...wow! I'm not judging, so please don't get me wrong. You guys seriously need to look into HIIT! So many benefits!!!
A few...
~ Takes much less time
~ Burns MORE calories...yes, more!
~ Increased metabolism
~ More fat loss vs muscle loss
Etc...

Don't take my word for it...here are a few links to get your motivated.
:wink:

13 HIIT Articles
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bbinfo.php?page=HIIT

8 Benefits of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
http://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/8-benefits-high-intensity-interval-training-hiit


You're welcome!
:flowerforyou:

~ Mike
«13456

Replies

  • StaceyJ2008
    StaceyJ2008 Posts: 411 Member
    Completely agree with you. I torch tons more fat doing interval training. :wink:
  • Joreanasaurous
    Joreanasaurous Posts: 1,384 Member
    I think kinda missed the point. People spend an hour on the treadmill because they enjoy it. Don't get me wrong. HIIT is great and effective, but I don't enjoy it. I can easily spend an hour on the treadmill. It's how I personally deal with stress. I can get on feeling sick I'm so stressed out or shaking I'm so mad and get off a whole new happy person.
  • Martoch
    Martoch Posts: 166
    Actually, the woman who said she spent an hour on the treadmill wanted ideas on what else she could do because she was bored to death (and trust me, not burning many calories by jogging 4 miles in an hour compared to even 15 minutes of HIIT).
    I don't recall anyone saying they enjoyed being on the treadmill for an hour regarding fat loss. Stress running is totally different...if you need to jog a few miles to get your mind off of stress related factors in your life, by all means run Forrest run!
    :wink:
  • Chewster001
    Chewster001 Posts: 201 Member
    ^I have the same reaction to HIIT... Getting on a treadmill bores me to tears unless the Real Housewives of Anywhere is on... But I'd still much prefer the constant mental stimulation and thinking "What's coming next?" that I get from HIIT. Also, I get to feel like my upper body isn't completely neglected.
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    The best workout anyone can do is one they enjoy and will CONTINUE TO DO! If that means someone runs on the treadmill for an hour and they enjoy it but they despise weights, they will continue. If someone loves weights and hates the treadmill, then they will do it. If the only thing you are looking for in a workout is calorie burn, you're doing it wrong.....
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    If one's only goal is to burn calories in the shortest possible time then HITT will save you 5 or 6 minutes. However, it does not have the same effect on on fitness as an aerobic steady state session.
  • Martoch
    Martoch Posts: 166
    I disagree completely with HIIT only saving me 5 or 6 minutes...been doing it for years. Also, I'm not targeting people that just like to run/jog...I'm targeting those that want to lose calories (most of the population on this site) effectively without wasting a lot of time (busy schedules). I'm sorry, but I must live in a unique part of the planet where people enjoy an hour on the treadmill because I am asked in person all the time about what else they can do because treadmills are boring, they're not losing any more weight, it takes too long, etc...
    ^I have the same reaction to HIIT... Getting on a treadmill bores me to tears unless the Real Housewives of Anywhere is on... But I'd still much prefer the constant mental stimulation and thinking "What's coming next?" that I get from HIIT. Also, I get to feel like my upper body isn't completely neglected.

    Exactly! HIIT doesn't only have to include running/jogging...you can easily get your whole body involved. Tons of info on the web!
  • Joreanasaurous
    Joreanasaurous Posts: 1,384 Member
    Actually, the woman who said she spent an hour on the treadmill wanted ideas on what else she could do because she was bored to death (and trust me, not burning many calories by jogging 4 miles in an hour compared to even 15 minutes of HIIT).
    I don't recall anyone saying they enjoyed being on the treadmill for an hour regarding fat loss. Stress running is totally different...if you need to jog a few miles to get your mind off of stress related factors in your life, by all means run Forrest run!
    :wink:

    My bad then. I was skimming through the cardio bunny thread and just assumed you were referring to them. In your context I agree. Carry on. :)
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    I'm of the opinion that for the vast majority of people and contexts, choosing whichever one you enjoy more is the best method.

    As for which is better, that's quite debatable.

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/steady-state-versus-intervals-and-epoc-practical-application.html

    And a good answer from Alan Aragon here:
    http://www.simplyshredded.com/nutrition-expert-alan-aragon-talks-with-simplyshredded-com.html
  • testease
    testease Posts: 220
    Cool story bro, ill save my HIIT for lifting weights, and unwind doing my "fat burning zone cardio" watching tv or playing xbox.
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    BRB, squats heavy 3x per week and deadlifts heavy 1-2 times per week, doing HIIT

    BRB, 200 lbs overweight and can barely jog, doing HIIT

    BRB, heart patient that can't do strenuous activity, doing HIIT

    BRB, I hate sprinting, doing HIIT
  • Martoch
    Martoch Posts: 166
    Cool story bro,

    Uh oh...did you come here from the BB.com misc?
    :tongue:
    BRB, squats heavy 3x per week and deadlifts heavy 1-2 times per week, doing HIIT

    BRB, 200 lbs overweight and can barely jog, doing HIIT

    BRB, heart patient that can't do strenuous activity, doing HIIT

    BRB, I hate sprinting, doing HIIT

    You're doing it wrong...you completely missed the point.
  • testease
    testease Posts: 220
    Cool story bro,

    Uh oh...did you come here from the BB.com misc?
    :tongue:
    BRB, squats heavy 3x per week and deadlifts heavy 1-2 times per week, doing HIIT

    BRB, 200 lbs overweight and can barely jog, doing HIIT

    BRB, heart patient that can't do strenuous activity, doing HIIT

    BRB, I hate sprinting, doing HIIT

    You're doing it wrong...you completely missed the point.

    Actually your point was " why waste so much time doing steady state cardio?"

    Plenty of reasons to "waste" time doing LISS, and he provided them.
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    You're doing it wrong...you completely missed the point.

    As did you, apparently.
  • ahamm002
    ahamm002 Posts: 1,690 Member
    While HIIT is definitely superior for body composition, steady state cardio still has it's place. Saying steady state cardio useless is just wrong.
  • surromom2010
    surromom2010 Posts: 457 Member
    I love me some HIIT
  • KimberlyWIOG
    KimberlyWIOG Posts: 36
    That's what I do! And I love it!
  • harvo
    harvo Posts: 4,676 Member
    Sounds great except I am a diabteic and do not recover at the pace most people would. Also, due to a recuring hernia I have to be careful what I do since it is below my ribs. Also, as an ball official I need the cardio.
  • msshiraz
    msshiraz Posts: 327 Member
    thx- there is a HIIT it class at my gym- but I will have to try- a little concerned about modifications for a bad knee (not bad now because I am careful)- I do tons of cardio each week- will have to talk to this instructor
  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
    The best workout anyone can do is one they enjoy and will CONTINUE TO DO! If that means someone runs on the treadmill for an hour and they enjoy it but they despise weights, they will continue. If someone loves weights and hates the treadmill, then they will do it. If the only thing you are looking for in a workout is calorie burn, you're doing it wrong.....

    Totally agree
  • NaturallyOlivia
    NaturallyOlivia Posts: 496 Member
    lovelovelove interval training! I'm impatient so it gives me the.most bang for my buck the soonest. What I do is when I'm on the elliptical I do 5 minutes on a moderate speed then 1 minute "wading through molasses" and I continue this for about 26-31 minutes. During my 1 minute of hell I close my eyes and spell things like " I W-A-N-T T-O B-E A S-I-Z-E F-O-U-R" and usually by the timw i open my eyes and have finished my motivational spelling my minute is over and I have burned 20 extra calories, by spelling!

    It may sound downright silly but it works for me!


    Also, never seen so many good looking guys crammed in one thread before. hubba hubba! :love:
  • VeganZombie13
    VeganZombie13 Posts: 297
    I enjoy my cardio workouts, Very relaxing ... Don't really see the point in changing ... I enjoy keeping my heart in shape, I'm sure HIIT is fine. I just like my cardio ..
  • Yogi_Carl
    Yogi_Carl Posts: 1,906 Member
    Did my first HIIT on Monday this week and feeling like I've done one-legged squats tonight (Tuesday)! Thought "I'm never doing this again" yesterday but now I'm looking forward to my next spring/walk-run session on Thursday. Addictive.

    I think I will still want to do a regular barefoot steady state run along the beach or through the woods, but that will be more to celebrate rather than improve my health and performance.
  • kevinvs
    kevinvs Posts: 17 Member
    save for later reading
  • Dub_D
    Dub_D Posts: 1,760 Member
    Unless you're training to run for distance, why waste so much time doing steady state cardio?

    I enjoy it.
  • Martoch
    Martoch Posts: 166
    While HIIT is definitely superior for body composition, steady state cardio still has it's place. Saying steady state cardio useless is just wrong.

    Agreed and I would never say it is useless. I didn't have enough characters in the title to specifically target people that complain about long, boring runs (treadmill or otherwise). I've seen plenty of posts here about it in the week that I've been here and I get asked about it in person frequently.

    I wasn't trying to turn this into a running vs HIIT battle...just opening up some new doors for people that are still not aware.

    Back off, fireballs! Haha!
    :flowerforyou:
  • carriann2012
    carriann2012 Posts: 180 Member
    Thank you :flowerforyou: Great information!!
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    If you're doing steady state cardio and love it and are happy with your results. Carry on.
    If you're doing steady state cardio and are bored or not getting results you want...change it up. HIIT's are awesome.

    There is no one supreme work out. Customize your workouts to your needs and use variety if your like me and get bored easily!
  • maureenfarren
    maureenfarren Posts: 10
    Totally agree with you. Of course eating right goes with it. I love interval training. I sweat my booty off to Insanity and other DVD's along with using weights. I am always changing my workouts around. It works for me!! thanks for the advice.
  • mrsna
    mrsna Posts: 195 Member
    Unless you're training to run for distance, why waste so much time doing steady state cardio? I just saw a thread about a woman running for an hour on the treadmill...wow! I'm not judging, so please don't get me wrong. You guys seriously need to look into HIIT! So many benefits!!!
    A few...
    ~ Takes much less time
    ~ Burns MORE calories...yes, more!
    ~ Increased metabolism
    ~ More fat loss vs muscle loss
    Etc...

    Don't take my word for it...here are a few links to get your motivated.
    :wink:

    13 HIIT Articles
    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bbinfo.php?page=HIIT

    8 Benefits of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
    http://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/8-benefits-high-intensity-interval-training-hiit


    You're welcome!
    :flowerforyou:

    ~ Mike

    Obviously what you are doing works for you!

    I think they each have their place. I love me some HIIT but I also love to go pound out a good run on the weekends when I have more time. I think the key is that everyone should do what they like and will be able to stick with.

    Keep up your good work! You are setting a great example for your kids!

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