How much cardio do you do?

Jrabbit321
Jrabbit321 Posts: 91
in Fitness and Exercise
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?
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Replies

  • josiereside
    josiereside Posts: 720 Member
    curious about this myself but being a distance runner, I guess the answer really does not matter that much to me! :tongue:
  • Samantha44145
    Samantha44145 Posts: 66 Member
    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
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    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? :smile:
  • petiteMom289
    petiteMom289 Posts: 26
    30-45 minutes at most and normally about 2-3 times a week.
  • nikiswimr
    nikiswimr Posts: 150 Member
    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
    bigeasy36 Posts: 18 Member
    Hour a day four to five time a week to start out with.
  • bids55
    bids55 Posts: 36 Member
    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:wink:
  • n0ob
    n0ob Posts: 2,390 Member
    30 min about 2 times every 6 months that isn't considered weightlifting...
  • Jrabbit321
    Jrabbit321 Posts: 91
    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? :smile:

    Burn that much more.
  • skcardiog
    skcardiog Posts: 316 Member
    70 minutes a day - six days a week. 35 minutes on stationary bike - 35 minutes on rowing machine.
  • bronnyd
    bronnyd Posts: 278 Member
    I do about 60 minutes a day 5 - 6 times per week.
  • BeachGingerOnTheRocks
    BeachGingerOnTheRocks Posts: 3,927 Member
    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? :smile:

    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
    lachesissss Posts: 1,298 Member
    I do at least 20. Usually its anywhere from 45 - 1.5 depending on what I'm doing and what combination.
  • JackKsavestheday
    JackKsavestheday Posts: 182 Member
    I do about 60 minutes a day 5 - 6 times per week.

    lost 80lbs this way and still losing
  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
    I walk most days with dogs, but that's it. Pounding on a treadmill or similar = kill me now.
  • Debbe2
    Debbe2 Posts: 2,071 Member
    60 minutes 3 to 5 times a week. :heart:
  • iuew
    iuew Posts: 624 Member
    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
    Jrabbit321 Posts: 91
    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? :smile:

    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
    josiereside Posts: 720 Member
    I hope those weight lifters don't come on here and start bullying us telling us that we are wasting our time.... :wink:
  • Jrabbit321
    Jrabbit321 Posts: 91
    I hope those weight lifters don't come on here and start bullying us telling us that we are wasting our time.... :wink:

    Oh gosh me too
  • glennstoudt
    glennstoudt Posts: 403 Member
    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
    KatLifter Posts: 1,314 Member
    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
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    Zero.
  • Theohariti
    Theohariti Posts: 34 Member
    Oh my goodness! Your profile picture. I could die!
  • Theohariti
    Theohariti Posts: 34 Member
    The one with the puppy! sorry :}
  • BigRedgw2010
    BigRedgw2010 Posts: 127 Member
    I do two hours a day 5 times a week.
  • JUP1T3R
    JUP1T3R Posts: 31
    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
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    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
    Strength2Succeed Posts: 126 Member
    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
    CraigR901 Posts: 48
    30 mins everyother day

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