Aren't some strength exercises technically cardio too?

"Circuit Training, General" is an option under cardio. Circuit training is when you do several strength exercises with little rest between. It's a blend of cardio and weights.

no, strength training is NOT cardio. totally different things.

if you say take your everyday workout dvd where you say do squats and shoulder presses while holding 3lbs weights and do say 20 reps of that, then you`re not doing strength training. you`re doing cardio.

far to many people have the mistaken assumption that just because they are holding weights and moving them in patterns consistent with strength training, that they actually are doing strength training. nothing could be further from the truth. most workout dvds and circuit training type things are actually cardio.

Basically this, strength training is strength training. Cross-Fit is a method of training that has some strength focus and helps with aerobic activity.

I think I know what you're talking about. If you're doing high reps/movement with little rest, that's technically interval training. Try categorizing it under Circuit Training when you record your exercise. I do a lot of bootcamp style classes and that's what they're based on.

no, strength training is NOT cardio. totally different things.

if you say take your everyday workout dvd where you say do squats and shoulder presses while holding 3lbs weights and do say 20 reps of that, then you`re not doing strength training. you`re doing cardio.

far to many people have the mistaken assumption that just because they are holding weights and moving them in patterns consistent with strength training, that they actually are doing strength training. nothing could be further from the truth. most workout dvds and circuit training type things are actually cardio.

Please elaborate

if you`re using the ATP-CP energy system to perform maximal load exercises, you`re doing strength training. Problem is, atp-cp energy systems only lasts for aprox 30 seconds or less before failure. if you`re able to go for longer than that, then you`re not using that system. thus not strength training.

There are lots of programs out there that use both strength and cardio together - common program is Body Pump from Les Mills this is a cardio work out with weights over a 60 minute period! Design for functional strength as well as cardio endurance!

There is a strength category under cardio, that is what I used.

yep, me too.

Nearly all exercises will have at least SOME cardio component and at least SOME strength component to them; it's just a matter of degree.

Even like running and biking take some strength, and participating in them will preserve your muscle strength as compared to being totally sedentary. However for anyone who is not seriously sick/deconditioned to the point that they don't have the strength to walk, this strength benefit is so miniscule that it's not worth thinking about at a strength exercise.

By the same token, certainly lifting heavy objects for a few seconds, resting, repeating will raise your heart rate. This will provide some cardiovascular benefit, again as compared to being totally sedentary. But, it's not as effective for cardiovascular benefits as a lower-intensity activity that you could maintain at a steady rate for 15+ minutes, so, again, not something that most would label as a cardio exercise.

you seem to have the basics. but do understand that the body has different energy systems and muscle fiber types. and the activity you do determines which are being used, if any at that moment in time. a proper exercise template should span all energy systems and muscle fiber types. you`re correct that there is overlap, but not to the degree which you may think there is. running and biking almost exclusively use Type I fiber if you`re pacing. It`s not until you`re past the anaerobic threshhold repeatedly that Type II fiber starts to be used enough to retain muscle tissue for example. And type IIb fiber will not be touched through any sort of cardio. you need big amounts of resistance to properly target those fibers. or VERY high intensity movements.

What is strength training

...........and

What is circuit training

...........and

As a rookie with a lot of weight to lose, what is recommended for time...per day et al

Please and thank you

strength training 3x a week using a template like starting strength. on offdays, feel free to add in 1-2x a week of some low resistance circuit training movements.

strength training is anything VERY heavy with a rep range of under 8 before failure. circuts is basically a training style where you take a bunch of movements, and do them one after another with little to no rest between. it`s NOT strength training, more cardio and muscular endurance training.

this helps more than you realize.. Thank you so much.

Basically what Ive been doing then is more of a circuit training albeit very simple for 20-30 at a time 6 nights a week. I enjoy it so far and will expand as I get more into it.
...again, thank you

thank you all for this info. It really clears up what I should have been logging in the 1st place. it's circuit training not strength training. will change my log for today's workout now.

I tried a crossfit gym last week and had to do a round of 5 burpees, 10 push ups, and 15 squats as many times as I could in 20 mins. I got through 9 rounds, and let me tell you - I was sweating more and breathing heavier than I ever have on a 6 mile run!!!

Of course, it's cardio, too! Problem is the calories burned are hard to count, since you actually continue to burn calories after you do the exercise.

you`re more than welcome. its a common misconception so you learn to expect it. For further reading if you`re not too afraid of human bio read up on the bodies different energy systems and muscle fiber types. you kinda get an understanding of how the body works and how this all fits together. in a nutshell, the body is specialized depending on the intensity of work you ask it to do. the muscles and energy system powering me to walk is actually different than the muscles and energy system powering me to sprint. same principle as how say bodyweight squats for 5min can be mistaken for strength training. you can get `stronger` without doing `strength training`.

to note however, i`m not saying circuits are bad by any means. for any beginner strength training is important, but as a beginner you`re not able to get the true benefit of being able to push yourself at high intensity, you`re just not trained enough. till you are, circuits and intense cardio are amazing way to burn calories and challenge yourself. And as I alluded to before, any proper general health exercise template should have a little of everything that targets all energy systems, muscle fibers and movements.

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THIS tells me a lot......more than Ive gleaned from reading elsewhere....I cant "push" I dont have it yet...........maybe never will. As Ive said before somewhere here, I have major joint issues, lots of titanium joints, pins, plates and screws. I also have a LOT of weight to get rid of. Im earnest in doing everything I can now to get rid of the weight and learn learn learn how to better care for this body. I love the idea of using dumbbells (please dont laugh at me, Im trying)and Im determined to give it all I got. I dont fear the pain of pushing myself anymore. I do have some breathing issues which is what slapped me side the head to get me convinced to lose weight and exercise (I prefer the term workout LOL)

Its hard to hear (read) all the things "you guys" do and how intense it is and I find myself envious, wishing I could. But...Im not inclined to give up, I will do this even if it is a slow start with dumbbells.

>>>>>>>>Your post is encouraging for us rookies. I thank you for your kindness in explaining things.

JYNUS.......you sir.....are my HERO!!!!!




thank you for restoring my faith in people here