How much cardio do you do?

Jrabbit321

I have heard that going past 30 mins of cardio at a time doesn't do much. I normally do 45 mins on my elliptical every morning. I'm wondering if 30 mins would do the same job or if that extra 15 mins really makes a difference? Opinions?

josiereside

curious about this myself but being a distance runner, I guess the answer really does not matter that much to me!

Samantha44145

LOL on the distance running...I can't imagine keeping up my distance without keeping up a cardio routine. I do A LOT of cardio. Steady-state cardio (eg, long-slow-distance runs) a couple times a week 1-2 hours. HIIT workouts 3-5 times a week 30-45 minutes each, once or twice a day.

To me resistance training is like watching paint dry. I do it because it has to be done.

I can't imagine building a cardio base on just 30 minutes a day. Maybe I'm crazy.

Sabine_Stroehm

I have heard that going past 30 mins of cardio at a time doesn't do much. I normally do 45 mins on my elliptical every morning. I'm wondering if 30 mins would do the same job or if that extra 15 mins really makes a difference? Opinions?

Doesn't do much...for what?

petiteMom289

30-45 minutes at most and normally about 2-3 times a week.

nikiswimr

I'm a distance runner as well, so clearly biased. I run one long run/week (~1.5-2 hours), one medium run/week (~ 1 hour), an easy run (usually 4 miles), speed training (time/distance varies) and strength training 1-2 times/week (trying to get in two). I'm almost at goal weight but if I want to get my BF% down, I'm going to need to intensify the strength training.

bigeasy36

Hour a day four to five time a week to start out with.

bids55

I do 7 days a week on treadmill...... 4 days at 1 hour and 3 days at 30 minutes. Do it cause it makes me feel better...not sure of any scientific reason

n0ob

30 min about 2 times every 6 months that isn't considered weightlifting...

Jrabbit321

I have heard that going past 30 mins of cardio at a time doesn't do much. I normally do 45 mins on my elliptical every morning. I'm wondering if 30 mins would do the same job or if that extra 15 mins really makes a difference? Opinions?

Doesn't do much...for what?

Burn that much more.

skcardiog

70 minutes a day - six days a week. 35 minutes on stationary bike - 35 minutes on rowing machine.

bronnyd

I do about 60 minutes a day 5 - 6 times per week.

BeachGingerOnTheRocks

I have heard that going past 30 mins of cardio at a time doesn't do much. I normally do 45 mins on my elliptical every morning. I'm wondering if 30 mins would do the same job or if that extra 15 mins really makes a difference? Opinions?

Doesn't do much...for what?

Burn that much more.

If you're moving, you're burning calories. You don't stop burning calories 30 minutes into your run or other cardio.

I think you're confusing a few of the things that have been said on this website and in books. If you are doing a strength training program, then you may not "need" more than 30 minutes to have a good fat burning routine. If you're more into cardio, then you can go as long as you want/can handle.

If you're worried about toning, muscle development, etc., then too much cardio can be counter-productive to some extent. For example, cyclists and some distance runners can get very small upper bodies but have big, strong legs because they're burning fat all over but only working the muscles in the core and lower body. Runners and bikers can have very strong legs just from their sport. But unless they do resistance, they'll have small upper bodies.

Rambling, but I hope it helps.

ETA: I work out 5 days a week. On the 3 strength days, I do 10 minutes of cardio to warm up, then stretch, weights, then 20 minutes of cardio to reduce any muscle pain. On the 2 non-strength days, I do 90 minutes or more cardio. I take 2 days off a week.

lachesissss

I do at least 20. Usually its anywhere from 45 - 1.5 depending on what I'm doing and what combination.

JackKsavestheday

I do about 60 minutes a day 5 - 6 times per week.

lost 80lbs this way and still losing

ironanimal

I walk most days with dogs, but that's it. Pounding on a treadmill or similar = kill me now.

Debbe2

60 minutes 3 to 5 times a week.

iuew

depends on the exercise. 30 mins jogging is different than 30 mins exercise bike.

i generally do 60+ minutes light to medium during the week, and 100+ on the weekends. my preferred cardio is exercise bike / walking / hiking.

Jrabbit321

I have heard that going past 30 mins of cardio at a time doesn't do much. I normally do 45 mins on my elliptical every morning. I'm wondering if 30 mins would do the same job or if that extra 15 mins really makes a difference? Opinions?

Doesn't do much...for what?

Burn that much more.

If you're moving, you're burning calories. You don't stop burning calories 30 minutes into your run or other cardio.

I think you're confusing a few of the things that have been said on this website and in books. If you are doing a strength training program, then you may not "need" more than 30 minutes to have a good fat burning routine. If you're more into cardio, then you can go as long as you want/can handle.

If you're worried about toning, muscle development, etc., then too much cardio can be counter-productive to some extent. For example, cyclists and some distance runners can get very small upper bodies but have big, strong legs because they're burning fat all over but only working the muscles in the core and lower body. Runners and bikers can have very strong legs just from their sport. But unless they do resistance, they'll have small upper bodies.

Rambling, but I hope it helps.

ETA: I work out 5 days a week. On the 3 strength days, I do 10 minutes of cardio to warm up, then stretch, weights, then 20 minutes of cardio to reduce any muscle pain. On the 2 non-strength days, I do 90 minutes or more cardio. I take 2 days off a week.

I'm more into weight lifting, I lift 5 days a week for around 45 mins, I start every morning with fasted cardio, I have been doing 45 mins, but I'm thinking of dropping down to 30 mins.

josiereside

I hope those weight lifters don't come on here and start bullying us telling us that we are wasting our time....

Jrabbit321

I hope those weight lifters don't come on here and start bullying us telling us that we are wasting our time....

Oh gosh me too

glennstoudt

Cardio from the Greek Kardia- for or from the heart

Everything is "cardio"
Certain levels of heart rate burn fat, other levels burn calories in general. Some levels of exertion get us in better "shape" for events and things we would like to accomplish, bars we have set for ourselves or set by others.
How much cardio do I do? By popular definition, not much. Should maybe do more, but doing less is working out fine.
Best wishes for everyone's activity and achieving their goals.

KatLifter

30 min about 2 times every 6 months that isn't considered weightlifting...

^^ This. Cardio makes me miserable; I like to pick things up and put them down!
We're all different. My sister is a vegan marathon runner and I eat lots of lean meats and prefer lifting. I admire people who can do long cardio sessions - and enjoy it!

SideSteel

Zero.

Theohariti

Oh my goodness! Your profile picture. I could die!

Theohariti

The one with the puppy! sorry :}

BigRedgw2010

I do two hours a day 5 times a week.

JUP1T3R

I swim about 1000 Meters 2x a day and run anywhere from 3-5 miles. It has been proven that if you do the correct cardio exercise then you can burn as many calories in 20-30 minutes as you would in an hour. As we all know everyone's bodies are different, but when it comes to calorie burning relatively the same. I recommend High intensity interval training to anyone who hates running. It take 20-30 minutes tops and you can burn more calories than you've ever imagined. Also balancing strength training and cardio is going to yield the best results. If you have never done interval training please feel free to message me and ask about it or you can go and look it up on the internet.

cwolfman13

I have heard that going past 30 mins of cardio at a time doesn't do much. I normally do 45 mins on my elliptical every morning. I'm wondering if 30 mins would do the same job or if that extra 15 mins really makes a difference? Opinions?

It really depends on your goals. If your goals are a reasonable level of fitness and heart health then 30 minutes with your HR above 120 is all you really need. If you want to run a marathon, this requires a lot of cardio endurance training, etc, etc, etc. A lot of people do tons of cardio because they think it helps them build a better deficit for weight loss and don't end up properly fueling their bodies...a lot of people do tons of cardio so they can eat tons more food. If you want to significantly change body composition you have to lift heavy.

Personally, I do 30-45 minutes 5 times per week depending on the particular exercise I'm doing since I don't do the same cardio every day and I lift heavy, full body compound lifts 3 times weekly.

Strength2Succeed

I recommend High intensity interval training to anyone who hates running. It take 20-30 minutes tops and you can burn more calories than you've ever imagined.

^ Totally agree!! Did it today on the treadmill!

CraigR901

30 mins everyother day