Running and Weight Training contradiction

daniellegwilliam

ok ,so I stumbled across this status from someone on facebook. (Obviously from someone devoted to fitness in their life.)
I just dont get it. I feel like I shouldn't run now, but I love running! I run 1- 2 times a week, 4-5km

5 days a week bootcamP. You cant tell me doing these two things are messing up my body? any takers care to weigh in?

now to the status:

Something I want you to consider when picking your poison when it comes to cardio. Weight training (via the nervous system) tells your body to be strong, explosive, and to be equipped for short bursts of intense energy. Steady state cardio (especially running) tells your body to be small (less weight to move), very efficient (quickly adapts to running), and to maybe bring a bit of fuel along for long durations (aka body fat). If you're running and weight lifting, you're kind of sending your body mixed messages about what you want it to do. Kind of like walking into the bedroom in lingerie and slapping your mans hands away. Wtf right? Now HIIT on the other hand tells your body the exact same thing that weight training does. Strong, explosive, and lean. Don't send your body mixed messages. Just like your man, it doesn't appreciate it.

kellybatkin

bump for replies... I run and weight train...?!!!

CasiiD

Hmmm, I do both, so I'm curious to see some replies. My weightlifting isn't explosive though. I lift heavy and slow.

jacksonpt

There's a degree of truth in there, but it's not that clear cut, nor is it that big of a deal for most of us.

If you're a competitive body builder or have extremely high expectations for your physique, then you probably shouldn't be doing frequent/long stead state cardio. Similarly, if you're a competitive runner, cyclist, etc, then any significant body building you do may well come at a cost in your run times.

However, for 90% of us, a little bit of both is going to be the best bet. Sure, if you do significant cardio then your gains from lifting will be less than ideal. If you do significant lifting, then your cardio gains will be less than ideal. But most of us are perfectly happy with solid progress in both arenas, even if it's somewhat less than "ideal".

scottb81

This sentence in particular doesn't make any sense, "Steady state cardio (especially running) tells your body to be small (less weight to move), . . . and to maybe bring a bit of fuel along for long durations (aka body fat)."

So running tells your body to shed weight and store fat at the same time?

Send the writer back to physiology 101.

andrederosier

You have different ways to lift weights. You have different muscle fibers in body composition with a slow twitch muscle fiber for endurance and they are leaner. You have fast twitch also which is for intense bursts of strength and speed. You also have a fast twitch muscle fiber that is good at both for some versatility. When you work out you are telling your body which fibers you are concentrating on. If you are doing very heavy weight for 3 reps you are building fast twitch just like if you crank up running for sprints. If you are lifting light for 15-20 reps you are going for endurance and building slow twitch.

To be of best benefit your weight training routine should reflect what type of running you are doing. But mostly unless you are competing in an event, do what you enjoy.

GiddyupTim

I don't know. But I think you can improve at both at once. I know serious and professional athletes often include both types of exercising into their training. Soccer players, who run long distances, lift weights. Andre Agassi, the tennis player (fast twitch), used to run up hills. Ivan Lendl, the tennis player, ran at least 5 miles every day when training.

mingthemerciless

HIT training is great! And way more effective than steady pace cardio or slow weights sessions.
It keeps your heart rate up, peaking and recovering over and over burns way more calories, plus jumping about using your own body weight is much better for proprioception, and core, and is a more functional/useful way to train!
The best thing is, you only have to do a short session to get good benefits, so a 20min HIT work out is enough!
Try it!

ninerbuff

There's a degree of truth in there, but it's not that clear cut, nor is it that big of a deal for most of us.

If you're a competitive body builder or have extremely high expectations for your physique, then you probably shouldn't be doing frequent/long stead state cardio. Similarly, if you're a competitive runner, cyclist, etc, then any significant body building you do may well come at a cost in your run times.

However, for 90% of us, a little bit of both is going to be the best bet. Sure, if you do significant cardio then your gains from lifting will be less than ideal. If you do significant lifting, then your cardio gains will be less than ideal. But most of us are perfectly happy with solid progress in both arenas, even if it's somewhat less than "ideal".

THIS.


A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Still_Fluffy

I'm training for my 5th marathon and lift 3 days a week. I do a ton of cardio and yet when I lift I've seen gain in strength and muscle tone too. When not training for a marathon I would even do a workout program were I would switch off between sprinting and lifting weights (please don't report me to the must lift weight purist or Cardio only commandos) I improved my speed and got stronger. Crazy..... Here is what I think. Unless your a finely tuned athlete or in really good shape any exercise is positive. I found what worked for me. I don't think you either have to lift or do cardio, both have great benefits and should be a part of a well rounded program.