My "Aha" Moment (cardio and me aren't friends)

AnahitaCanDoIt
AnahitaCanDoIt Posts: 448
in Fitness and Exercise
I finally discovered after doing 1)boot camp (no cardio) 2) weights (heavy for me!) and 3) hot yoga and finding I feel better stronger and more successful that cardio doesn't work for me.

I've tried I don't know how many zumba, aerobics, stair climbers, bikes, elliptical etc at many weights and many stages of unfitness and I've never ever gotten better/faster/stronger...but I've gotten this effect after just a short burst of strength work... not only that, but how unfit, breathless, hot and red and miserable I feel during a cardio training session not to mention horrific shin splints is not worth the effect its' had on my outlook on exercise.

I think I've found what works for me...I think I might like this stuff (shhh don't tell my trainers)!!

Replies

  • snowfox1
    snowfox1 Posts: 128 Member
    Bump, im interested in what people have to say about this too :-)
  • AnahitaCanDoIt
    AnahitaCanDoIt Posts: 448
    Why...? Is this controversial? Uh oh...I'm saying what has worked for me!
  • RainbootsToBikinis
    RainbootsToBikinis Posts: 465 Member
    I love weight lifting :) cardio has it's benefits, but it's not necessary/
  • singinghorse
    singinghorse Posts: 5
    It's all about what works for you.

    I personally have found that strength training is a happier and more effective thing for me also. I still do some light cardio a few days per week, mainly walking and hiking, but only for the other health benefits (and I enjoy hiking).
  • snowfox1
    snowfox1 Posts: 128 Member
    Why...? Is this controversial? Uh oh...I'm saying what has worked for me!

    oh no haha i just agree with you thats all :)
  • Rhia55
    Rhia55 Posts: 247
    There are a lot of people that would disagree with you about cardio not being necessary.. I'm not one of them so don't yell at me. :happy:

    I think what works for you, works for you. Everyone is different and what works for one person might not work for another.

    For me a combo of cardio and strength is always what has worked because I'm built weird and just one or the other won't do it.
  • schondell
    schondell Posts: 556 Member
    Hot yoga is amazing, I used to do it when I head like three studios nearby, now that I'm away in university I haven't found any ones that I like!
  • gxm17
    gxm17 Posts: 374
    You found what you like to do and that's what is important. If you like to do it, you'll stick to it and you'll have fun sticking to it. Congratulations, you've made one of the most satisfying steps on one's fitness journey!

    (And, shhhhhhh it's a secret, but you are doing cardio with all those things. Wear an HRM. You'll be surprised.)
  • jsickman12
    jsickman12 Posts: 139 Member
    What ever works for you is the way to go. . Me and cardio are good friends, but I also make sure to have a trainer put me through the paces once a week, my heart rate gets elevated to the same level with my trainer as a good interval run.
  • linda1188
    linda1188 Posts: 7
    I think all that matters is that you enjoy the workout and you feel like it was worth it after your workout session.

    Personally I love cardio, and if I skip it even one day I feel lazy and unmotivated. I have tried things like yoga, pilates, and dance workouts; and those things are just not for me. I just don't get into those kind of workouts and lose interest very quickly.

    Everyone has something that works best for them when it comes to fitness, and I think it is great you found what works for you.
  • n0ob
    n0ob Posts: 2,390 Member
    I realized just this year that doing the cardio I like doing (running on streets/paths) actually causes my joint pains, not the lifting.

    After ditching cardio, no more knee and hip aches whatsoever and I just feel better day to day. 3-4 hours in the gym lifting/week is PLENTY of exercise for general health IMO for me, and that's my goal.

    Besides, every set is basically a short sprint for your heart anyway, so lifting is cardio.
  • ParkerH47
    ParkerH47 Posts: 463 Member
    Funny, for me its totally the opposite! I like cardio way better.. it helps me clear my head and I can get into the zone, but with strength training I hate feeling sore for days after, and I never feel motivated to push my strength limits.

    Just goes to show you everyones different....
  • AnahitaCanDoIt
    AnahitaCanDoIt Posts: 448
    Oh, I meant to say, it's not that I'm doing no cardio, but just not as much as I tried before. I'm going for a 5k walk today---on my 'rest day' after two training sessions yesterday and two tomorrow...I don't know how the people on the Biggest Loser do it...they're carrying minimum 100lbs overweight...I've about 20-25over now and I'm DYING....lifting my own body weight!
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    Besides, every set is basically a short sprint for your heart anyway, so lifting is cardio.

    not really
  • joeysox
    joeysox Posts: 195 Member
    i dislike cardio, i tell people i love my runs cause they pick at me for doing so much lol but i dont. im not a cardio fan. i have just found amother gym near me hidden behind a farmers industrial park. my friend didnt tell me because its mostly men and lifters! informed her that men dont scare me! lol gonna go take a look xx
  • AnahitaCanDoIt
    AnahitaCanDoIt Posts: 448
    I honestly think there is something wrong with the way I breathe, my lungs or something because the feeling of windedness comes on me within 3/4min of anything cardio and it's so unpleasant... my trainer thinks I just have a very unfit heart which is possibly true as I've been 'skinny fat' for a few years and just plain fat before that.
  • drgndancer
    drgndancer Posts: 426 Member
    I love weight lifting :) cardio has it's benefits, but it's not necessary/

    Let's define "necessary". Cardio isn't necessary to lose weight, though it helps. Weight loss is primarily a function of calories in vs. calories out, and many people on this board will tell that they lose weight without any exercise at all. Cardio isn't necessary to look buff. Certainly lifting will do that for you. Cardio is necessary, most health care professionals would argue critical, for overall health and fitness. The name says it all; "cardio" is short for "cardiovascular workout". The single most important system in your body for energy, long life, etc, etc. When your heart, lungs and circulatory system are happy, the rest of your body gets a boost.

    So no, cardio isn't "necessary" unless you want to be healthy. In which case 30 minutes or so four days a week is widely believed to be pretty important. You don't need to spend hours a day on the treadmill or anything, but some cardio is pretty good for you.
  • AnahitaCanDoIt
    AnahitaCanDoIt Posts: 448
    I'm very new to fitness etc but this guy has a diff view of the calories in/calories out theory....

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bTUspjZG-wc
    why we get fat gary taubes, skip over lady and guy intro, pretty interesting stuff there... makes you think!

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