Cardio vs weights??!! Which do you do & WHY?

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Replies

  • Deipneus
    Deipneus Posts: 1,861 Member
    I stay away from fitness blogs such as the one you cited. They are full of all kinds of naked assertions. No attribution or footnotes. It appears to be a vehicle to sell stuff http://www.joeydfitness.com/takeatour.html

    He wrote:"Cardio makes you soft and eats away at muscle." Really? How did he arrive at that conclusion?

    I do cardio (running) and weightlifting. Weightlifting because the added muscle helps me lose weight according to an article at MayoClinic.org

    "Improved weight control: Muscles burn calories. Muscle gains through strength training help burn more calories, making it easier to reduce body fat and control weight. At first, strength training may not result in much weight loss because muscle weight gains may offset losses in fat weight. Reduction in measurements such as waist size and a leaner overall body are likely to occur."

    Source Link: http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2011-mchi/6358.html
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    Here is a great article from someone I follow on FB check it out & let me know what you think. **The language is a little harsh if you're sensitive**

    OH YEAH ADD ME AS YOUR FRIEND :wink:

    Joseph C. Donnelly's Fitness Page

    Some key factors why you are not losing as much body fat as you want or achieving the physique you desire:

    1) Missing meals or starving the body. Everyday I hear a story about some women saying I'm only eating 600 calories and doing an hour of cardio and I cant lose any weight. No ****. You are starving the body and it will refuse to let any fat go when starved.

    2) You are doing too much cardio. If you want to get fit you need to lift. ESPECIALLY YOU WOMEN!! Lift, Lift, Lift. 70% of your efforts need to be with weights. Adding muscle increases metabolism and forces the body to burn more calories during the day. Cardio makes you soft and eats away at muscle.

    3) You are not getting enough carbs. I see so many people especially competitors on this low and no carb diets doing 2 hours of cardio, only once they come off they find out their thyroids are shot and it can take years if ever to return to normalcy. If you are training daily your body needs fuel. Plain and simple. Eat healthy slow digesting carbs.

    4) You simply are not working hard enough. If being fit was simple everyone would do it. Eating 5 healthy meals, doing some sets in the weight room and an hour of cardio does not guarantee you will receive the results you want. Life is all about return on investment. if you invest maximum effort into your studies, your job, finances or your body, you will get the desired payout in the end. Walking on a treadmill for an hour or getting on the stairmaster is not maximum investment., Its minimal

    5) You are doing the wrong type of cardio. Get your *kitten* off the treadmill or elliptical. 20 mins of sprints or bleachers on the football field trumps walking and jogging on the treadmill for an hour all day. Believe it!!!!

    6) Your lift can be fat burning as well. I know why so many people fail at lifting programs. They do a set, wait 3-4 minutes then do another. Boring Boring Boring. Yeah I would quit too. Shorten rest periods to a minute or less between sets. If you are not sweating 5 minutes in, you aren't working hard enough!! Increase intensity!!!

    7) You have a cheat day not a cheat meal. I guarantee the person that invented the term "cheat day" was a fat *kitten*. Its "cheat meal" have a cheat meal once every 10-14 days and then get your *kitten* in the gym and make it work for you!!

    8) Alcohol: Oh you cant lose weight but you drink come happy hour Friday or out Saturday night? No ****. If you want to cut the fat, cut the booze!!! I guarantee if you went 30 days with no alcohol you would see and feel a dramatic difference!!!

    For more helpful info and all my workout videos join the team at www.joeydfitness.com

    Goodluck guys:JD

    You should have posted his picture too. That's what got the most attention on the FB post I saw too.


    I'm with backtatJim - cardio can burn muscle, but with proper nutrition and adding strength, you can avoid looking "soft". Look at some of the ironman winners, even MMA fighters do tons of cardio and still have tons of muscle.


    To answer the question - I do both.
  • nturner612
    nturner612 Posts: 710 Member
    i like this! :) very informative and well said. thansk for sharing!
  • SlimsLiftingMoreThanLipstick
    SlimsLiftingMoreThanLipstick Posts: 122 Member
    Both! I do anything I like! I like to run, I like it a lot so I wont give it up. I also cycle and kickbox not as often but I like them so I squeeze them in when I can. I am learning I also like to lift weights, it makes me feel strong as woman so I do it. I think for you to succeed you have to do what you like.
  • dantrick
    dantrick Posts: 369 Member
    you can get a great cardio workout with lifting if you employ the active rest principle. An example of this is: bicep curls then while recovering from that do squats. Rinse, Repeat. if you don't have a heart rate monitor get one. Find your max heart rate by this simple formula:

    206.9 - (0.67 x age) = MHR

    Low Intensity - 50-60%
    Moderate Intensity - 60-70%
    Vigorous or High Intensity - 75-85%

    these things really help increase workout intensity while keeping you safe from overdoing it.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Both. I run for my heart, lungs and brain. I lift for bone and muscle strength... and because it does great things to my shape.
  • m_wilh
    m_wilh Posts: 362 Member
    BUMP
  • fitfocusedfamily
    fitfocusedfamily Posts: 117 Member
    Cardio = can help lower high blood pressure, increase good cholesterol, improves your body's ability to move nutrients and oxygen to tissues and to dispose of waste products, will improve heart function, and of course it is a great way to lose weight with the right diet plan. This said I lift heavy 5 days a week and am not trying to lose weight, I am currently trying to gain some muscle mass so I have been limiting my cardio but will NEVER stop doing it!
    ^^^^Perfectly said. The writer of the starting article should have stated cardio + calorie restrictive diets = muscle loss.

    Cardio AND weight lifting is a MUST for anyone looking for better overall health. If anyone thinks weightlifting is boring, you aren't doing it right (if you've done it at all).
  • SabrinaJL
    SabrinaJL Posts: 1,579 Member
    Cardio = can help lower high blood pressure, increase good cholesterol, improves your body's ability to move nutrients and oxygen to tissues and to dispose of waste products, will improve heart function, and of course it is a great way to lose weight with the right diet plan. This said I lift heavy 5 days a week and am not trying to lose weight, I am currently trying to gain some muscle mass so I have been limiting my cardio but will NEVER stop doing it!

    Other than the fact that I am trying to lose weight, ^that. I love lifting. It makes me feel like a badass who could tackle a bear or something. :laugh: Cardio bores the crap out of me, but it seems to really keep my blood pressure in check, which after going off bp medication, is really important. I noticed that when I slack off with the cardio (even if I'm still lifting 5 days a week), my bp starts to creep up a little.
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    I used to be a cardio bunny, but I've cut down a bit but I still do both cardio and weights. Cardio is great for your heart, lungs, endurance and heck I just love doing it. It's important to do things that make you happy! And I lift weights and strength train because maintaining your lean muscle mass is important (especially at my age).
  • bradthemedic
    bradthemedic Posts: 623 Member
    Both. Because you should.
  • postrockandcats
    postrockandcats Posts: 1,145 Member
    I'm pretty sure I can sharpen my kitchen knives on Joey D's abs. I has an impressed. O_O

    That said, cardio does NOT make you soft. I dare anyone to call someone who runs 5Ks and marathons soft. So, I do both. I see the value of dedicated cardio as a different form of training for my body. Just as weight lifting is.

    That said, if I had to give up one, I'd give up cardio in a second.
  • MommaKit79
    MommaKit79 Posts: 852
    I do both I am over on my BMI and would like to get back into the healthy range so the cardio is to burn fat, I do strength training because I want to be toned and wont get there only doing cardio.

    ^^^^^This is me too^^^^^^^ Once I get my BMI a little lower, I will incorporate more lifting. But, I need the cardio for strength/endurance for my heart & lungs, not just for losing weight.
    I do both.
    Cardio is like weight lifting for your heart and lungs.
    Weight lifting is like weight lifting for your muscles.
    The more muscle you pack on your body, the more calories your body burns every day.

    ^^Exactly!!!!^^
  • cedarghost
    cedarghost Posts: 621 Member
    Cardio is better than sitting on the sofa all day, as someone else pointed out, but I would rather lift. If I need cardio, I just don't rest between sets....
  • supernaturalfan_91
    supernaturalfan_91 Posts: 99
    Cardio mixed with strength training for me! Though I do have to say strength training is more fun!
  • Riddickeye
    Riddickeye Posts: 13
    i like this! :) very informative and well said. thansk for sharing!

    No Prob! It was a very interesting article IMHO
  • kikih64
    kikih64 Posts: 349 Member
    bump
  • mercymarque
    mercymarque Posts: 450
    I do both because cardio will drop the weight and lifting will give u the shape u want (tone u up).
  • SylentZee
    SylentZee Posts: 262
    Cardio = can help lower high blood pressure, increase good cholesterol, improves your body's ability to move nutrients and oxygen to tissues and to dispose of waste products, will improve heart function, and of course it is a great way to lose weight with the right diet plan. This said I lift heavy 5 days a week and am not trying to lose weight, I am currently trying to gain some muscle mass so I have been limiting my cardio but will NEVER stop doing it!

    Both.

    Arrive at the gym, stretch, cardio for 10m (warmup), strength training (1hr approx), then 20m of High Intensity Interval Cardio (treadmill or elliptical) I can definitely see the progress...I've hit my goal weight and then some and lost 2 more inches off of my waist by doing this method.

    Originally, I was just trying to lose weight, now that I've lost 50+ lbs, I'm trying to cut fat and gain muscle.
  • mustgetmuscles1
    mustgetmuscles1 Posts: 3,346 Member
    Both. I do some high intensity cardio so I can lift better without running out of gas. : )

    I eat less to burn fat though. Cardio just burns calories not necessarily fat.
  • dare2love81
    dare2love81 Posts: 928 Member
    Article was a bit harsh. I've actually spoken to my DOCTOR and she supports the fact that cardio, at least one hour a day is awesome for your body and all around health. It's better than sitting on the sofa all day long. I have yet to incorporate weights into my work outs, but I'm planning on it. I love cardio. I love sweating my butt off. It makes me feel accomplished :)

    I think the point of the article was that IF you're only doing cardio, it's been found that weight lifting promotes better weight loss. But if you're not doing anything, then yes, cardio is better than sitting on the couch. Weight lifting has just been found to be more beneficial, because (as a few earlier posts said) if you're lifting the right way, it's a cardio workout as well.

    If you only do cardio and pay no mind to lifting weight, yes, you will lose the weight, but you'll be the dreaded "skinny fat" and your body won't have much definition. Personally...running on a treadmill or elliptical for hours on end bores the crap out of me in about 5 minutes. I'd much rather spend my hour lifting and working up an intense sweat that way. But to each their own.
  • KristenE83
    KristenE83 Posts: 187 Member
    Great post! I love the swift-kick-in-the-*kitten* attitude too lol I definitely need to add more lifting to my routine. I do, however, have a question for "heavy lifters". I am relatively new to this stuff, so can anyone answer a quick question about lifting? Why is "heavy" lifting better than "not heavy(?)" lifting and what is the difference? Just curious....
  • JenniBaby85
    JenniBaby85 Posts: 855 Member
    I do both. I do strength training 3-4 days a week, and cardio every day. I just recently started incorporating lifting though, already seeing some results, so I'm a happy Mama. :love:
  • sunraew
    sunraew Posts: 96 Member
    Both! Weights to build/maintain muscle for core strength and bones, and to burn the fat with. Pumped muscle ups your metabolism for increased passive calorie burn throughout the day.

    Cardio improves your endurance and circulation, lung capacity (proper breathing burns too - ask free divers) and produces an active calorie burn each time you do it.

    So, pump it, work it, wiggle it... it's all good! :)
  • 3foldchord
    3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
    I do both. I do bodyweights (often with dumbbells 5-20#) on 3-4 days a week. The other days I go for a brisk walk.
    I can't do much more cardio than a brisk walk , no jumping jacks or elliptical machines for me. I have a mild heart condition, my heart gets a bit spazzy with cardio.

    Next month I might go to my dad's once a week and lift heavier weights.
  • Riddickeye
    Riddickeye Posts: 13
    Great post! I love the swift-kick-in-the-*kitten* attitude too lol I definitely need to add more lifting to my routine. I do, however, have a question for "heavy lifters". I am relatively new to this stuff, so can anyone answer a quick question about lifting? Why is "heavy" lifting better than "not heavy(?)" lifting and what is the difference? Just curious....

    READ THIS AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/lbrooks2.htm
  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    Cardio eats muscles???

    C'mon now, this myth been dead and buried for a long time.

    Do both without fear of this eating that.
  • bpotts44
    bpotts44 Posts: 1,066 Member
    Cardio eats muscles???

    C'mon now, this myth been dead and buried for a long time.

    Do both without fear of this eating that.

    Yes, "skinny fat" is a myth. Doing cardio with moderate caloric deficit and proper protein will not consume muscle.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    Cardio eats muscles???

    C'mon now, this myth been dead and buried for a long time...
    Read any clinical studies lately?

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10204826

    Here's an excerpt (emphasis on the bolded portion):

    RESULTS:

    Maximum oxygen consumption (Max VO2) increased significantly (p<0.05) but equally in both groups. Body weight decreased significantly more (p<0.01) in C+D than R+D. The C+D group lost a significant (p<0.05) amount of LBW (51 to 47 kg). No decrease in LBW was observed in R+D. In addition, R+D had an increase (p<0.05) in RMR O2 ml/kg/min (2.6 to 3.1). The 24 hour RMR decreased (p<0.05) in the C+D group.
    CONCLUSION:

    The addition of an intensive, high volume resistance training program resulted in preservation of LBW and RMR during weight loss with a VLCD.
  • mustgetmuscles1
    mustgetmuscles1 Posts: 3,346 Member
    Cardio eats muscles???

    C'mon now, this myth been dead and buried for a long time...
    Read any clinical studies lately?

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10204826

    Here's an excerpt (emphasis on the bolded portion):

    RESULTS:

    Maximum oxygen consumption (Max VO2) increased significantly (p<0.05) but equally in both groups. Body weight decreased significantly more (p<0.01) in C+D than R+D. The C+D group lost a significant (p<0.05) amount of LBW (51 to 47 kg). No decrease in LBW was observed in R+D. In addition, R+D had an increase (p<0.05) in RMR O2 ml/kg/min (2.6 to 3.1). The 24 hour RMR decreased (p<0.05) in the C+D group.
    CONCLUSION:

    The addition of an intensive, high volume resistance training program resulted in preservation of LBW and RMR during weight loss with a VLCD.

    Was jut about to post on this. Cardio alone can lead to loss of LBW and lowering of RMR according to this study. Now whether that LBW was muscle or not was not specified and since all LBW is not just muscle we dont know for certain but since the RMR was lower it is a pretty safe bet.

    http://fitnessblackbook.com/dieting_for_fat_loss/maintain-muscle-mass-on-800-calories-per-day/

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