fed up off reading that cardio isn't beneficial

I sure hope that cardio is not a waste of time as that is 80% of my work out at the gym.

I don't want to do too much strength training because I feel I have the muscle mass and that I just need to strip body fat to reveal it =/

The strength training is what is going to help you strip the fat.. not the cardio.

oh man that sucks.... so these last 4 days have been a total waste of time lol I've been to the gym 4 times this week doing mostly cardio >.<

Uh, no. Don't worry! Cardio is not a waste of time. It's best to combine cardio and strength training! Cardio all on it's own will help you lose fat but probably won't do much else to change your body composition. Muscles also burn calories even when you aren't using them and this is why strength training is helpful for weight loss. The more muscle you have and use, the more calories get used up throughout the day even on days where you literally do nothing but lay in bed. Muscles use up energy just existing. In terms of the workout itself you will burn more in the moment with cardio than with strength training though. Cardio is also good for your heart and respiratory system and strength training doesn't do much for you in those areas. So this crap about ditching cardio entirely? It's silly. For overall health, and for straight up vanity, you can't go wrong with a bit of both.

I think different exercise produces different benefits. I'm of the party where I think cardio is great for me. The only time I really see a difference in myself is when I'm hitting cardio long and hard (snicker). I happen to know that HIIT is probably the most effective where as my endurance is redundant and can raise cortisol levels. Regardless, what ever makes me fit, acts as stress relief, and I stick to it is what is most beneficial to me.

I feel like a lot of people who don't see weight loss while doing cardio can dismiss it as ineffective, but other factors also must be taken into account- such as calories consumed. I might suggest that these people are eating too few calories.

I strength train to enable my body to run distance without injury. I run because it's wonderful/horrible. I will never believe that cardio isn't beneficial. I know I can hike for hours without fatigue, run the trails with exhilaration for 2 hours, and that sure as hel* doesn't come from strength training.

I agree with the OP 100%

For some people, getting off the couch and going for a walk is exercise. Some people need to be more sympathetic to others who have a hard time with getting fit.

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That is crazy! I was always taught that both cardio and strength training is important for weight loss, more so cardio.

Any exercise is good. I saw someone lose tons of weight from yoga alone. And some people think yoga is a joke too.

Here's the thing though- that person lost weight from a CALORIE DEFICIT while practicing yoga- they didn't lose weight from yoga. Same is true for all exercise. Calorie deficit= weight loss.

i dont lift heavy because i dont want big bulky muscles.

Lifting heavy won't give you bulky muscles. For most women to get bulky muscles, they have to take testosterone supplements.

I only have about 3 hours a week to workout. Lifting heavy weights is a better use of that time. Lifting 3 days a week has produced better results than 6 days a week of cardio. Cardio has benefit too and I wish I had more time for it but I don't.

Its important to get both weight training and cardio in a weight loss routine. I would never skimp on cardio for a couple reasons. 1. I like my eating my exercise calories and I don't count calories burned from weight loss. 2. Cardio is weight lifting for your heart. It is very important for cardiovascular health.

That's why I do cardio!

I use cardio to help build my endurance. When I started this thing back in July, I could do 1/4 mile on the treadmill at 2 mph and I was wiped at the end of it, wiped out at just 1/4 mile. Now...just a little over a month later, I find that just sad. I usually do about 3 to 3.5 mph (short legs so 4 is more jogging than walking to me) at anywhere from 1% to 4% incline for about 50 ish minutes almost everyday. I have been slowly introducing running into my walks...not quite C25K yet, but in a few months I'll be working harder at running longer. I have my mind set on doing The Warrior Dash in May and I don't plan to walk the whole way through.

Now, having said all that, I've recently started adding some heavy lifting into my routines. As much as I love the idea of muscle burning fat, I like the idea of one day being big and cut even better so I figure I might as well start now.

I have been fat my whole life. This is my first real journey towards getting fit. Never wanted or tried fad diets or pills, and never really seriously considered getting in shape until now. So, I figure lifting and walking and biking, etc. and calorie deficit are all the tools I have to get into shape so I'm going to use them all. I actually like how I feel at the end of a walk and lifting.

Cardio is vital to getting ripped. You can be street lean or stage lean. There is a big difference. Very few people can get away with no cardio. Those few people don't visit this board.

This is simply silly. Google Martin Berkhan. He lives at ~5% bf and does little other than heavy compound lifts. Getting ripped is all in the kitchen. Sure, you can do cardio to create a larger caloric deficit, but the deficit is creating the fat loss, not the cardio specifically.

I know who he is.

I guess you're one of the people who can't read. I have researched plenty of his articles. I spoke with a couple of his past clients. EVERY single one did some form of cardio during a cutting cycle.

So, please try again.

I know who he is.

I guess you're one of the people who can't read. I have researched plenty of his articles. I spoke with a couple of his past clients. EVERY single one did some form of cardio during a cutting cycle.

So, please try again.

Nice cherry picking. You CANNOT possibly be stating that it is impossible to create the proper calorie deficit to lose fat without cardio. I cannot believe that you actually hold that opinion. OBVIOUSLY it burns additional calories, which then allows you to eat more while still creating a caloric deficit. The point is, the cardio is just *one way* of creating a deficit.

Quite a few years back my dad started training for marathons. He ran lots and didn't change his eating habits at all. The weight dropped off him. Cardio does work.

I've been reading quite a few posts on here recently regarding cardio and how it isn't actually effective towards weight loss.

I'm sorry but i think this is really discouraging; all exercise is good exercise.

There is no hidden secret towards losing weight, cut down on your calories, eat healthy and exercise; even if your execrise consists of just walking for half an hour a few times a week, it is still going to make a difference.

I joined MFP in May this year and so far i have lost 17lbs, at first i was very flakey with my gym schedule and would only go once or twice a week and not putting my full effort in, in the last month or so i make sure i go 3/4 times a week and i do 45mins of cardio and 15 mins of weight training 3/4 times a week and i'm losing weight.

If you're at your goal weight and want to tone up then yes, cardio probably isn't that beneficial, but for all other aspects i think it should be encouraged, not only for weight loss but for your fitness and general wellbeing.

Rant over!

i agree i lost 30 lbs doing cardio.

I've been reading quite a few posts on here recently regarding cardio and how it isn't actually effective towards weight loss.

I'm sorry but i think this is really discouraging; all exercise is good exercise.

There is no hidden secret towards losing weight, cut down on your calories, eat healthy and exercise; even if your execrise consists of just walking for half an hour a few times a week, it is still going to make a difference.

I joined MFP in May this year and so far i have lost 17lbs, at first i was very flakey with my gym schedule and would only go once or twice a week and not putting my full effort in, in the last month or so i make sure i go 3/4 times a week and i do 45mins of cardio and 15 mins of weight training 3/4 times a week and i'm losing weight.

If you're at your goal weight and want to tone up then yes, cardio probably isn't that beneficial, but for all other aspects i think it should be encouraged, not only for weight loss but for your fitness and general wellbeing.

Rant over!

i agree i lost 30 lbs doing cardio.

Yup, I lost 50 with just cardio...that being said however it all depends on what you want and what your fitness goals are. If you just want to lose, then diet 1st and cardio *should* get you there. If you're training to be a runner/marathoner, then hey guess what, cardio is for you! That's where I wanted to be up until recently. I've now started with strength training - I feel that my body is ready, and that I'm ready for it to change again.

I still get my cardio in, but I'm mixing it up with lifting. But again, that's all a personal choice.

I try to cycle 200 miles a week to lose weight and get fit, 2 months ago I struggled to tie my shoelaces myself and now I can ride 100k in a day. My logic is have you ever seen a fat cyclist in the tour de france? Thought not !!