How much cardio do you do?

2

Replies

  • 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:

    Burn that much more.
    Hmm. So you stop burning calories? I'm not sure I believe that.
    Interesting...
    But then, I don't run for just calorie burning reasons, so it won't affect me either way.
    cheers
  • BeachGingerOnTheRocks
    BeachGingerOnTheRocks Posts: 3,927 Member


    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.

    Then 30 is fine. Or less. Up to you.

    Are you doing splits or total body workouts? 5 days a week for strength isn't necessary if you're lifting heavy. I have to have 24-hour rest cycles between lift days. Just changed up my routine in December from 5 days to 3 for strength and already seeing big changes both in strength and appearance.

    I do cardio mainly because I find it addictive.
  • JosieJo2000
    JosieJo2000 Posts: 162 Member
    I do 45 mins to an hour 5-6 times per week. I try to shake things up by cycling, jogging, swimming, group fitness classes and resistance stuff. I like high intensity stuff too, especially sprints.

    I haven't looked into the science, but basically the more cardio I do the more I can eat. There might be more efficient ways of achieving the same thing but I enjoy the cardio stuff I do, and it makes me feel fit. Such a great feeling not getting out of breath!
  • Rynatat
    Rynatat Posts: 807 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!

    My situation is similar, except backwards. I discovered that while cardio is great for building my lung strength & helped me stop using my inhaler (except for very rare occasions now), weight lifting is definitely my fit. If I do too much cardio I start to gain weight, but body responds to strength better. Ironically, my Baby Sister runs and does more cardio-based workouts and she is super slim. I am Plant Strong (whole-foods plant-based lifestyle) and Sister is a Carnivore :wink: . We're both strong in different respects with completely different builds, but still both strong.

    You just need to find your "fit". If intense cardio is working, keep up with it. No reason to change if it works.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Sometimes 12 minutes of lazy arsed low intensity cardio after lifting.
  • meribethd
    meribethd Posts: 92 Member
    I do 3-4 days of cardio, usually 30-60 min if it's just a cardio day but 20 of a HIIT if I'm piggybacking on a weight training day.
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    Zero. Zilch. Nada. I am not doing any cardio during my current cut. My deficit comes solely from eating 250 calories below 2900 (my actual TDEE) and my exercise is just lifting. I will, however, reintroduce 15 minutes of running when I go back to maintenance and do another surplus period.
  • downsizinghoss
    downsizinghoss Posts: 1,035 Member
    I do 30-60 minutes of elliptical and about 20 minutes on the rowing machine about 4 days per week




    It gets boring lol

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/downsizinghoss/view/how-i-spend-my-time-on-the-elliptical-machine-451064
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    I used to do 15-20 minutes a day of jump rope, every day. But ever since I upped the ante on my resistance training and transitioned from conventional weight training to training with 80 lb sandbags, I stopped doing any kind of cardio at all on non-lifting days.
  • LethainIowa
    LethainIowa Posts: 43
    90 minutes a day..7 days a week. I'm on the track every morning at 6:45am.
  • bsix3
    bsix3 Posts: 291
    If 20 minutes is all you have time to do then keep doing it. ANY time spent exercising is better than nothing!!
  • whitesox56
    whitesox56 Posts: 85
    I do an hour a day going between the treadmill and eliptical.
  • missmegan831
    missmegan831 Posts: 824 Member
    30-60 mins 5 times week usually just a nice brisk walk, trying to avoid high impact stuff til i get closer to my goal weight
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    I only do Cardio 1-2 times a week. How long I do Cardio depends on what I do e.g. Spinning 30-45 min, Running 20-25 min, Biking (outside)-60+ min.
  • BAFilek
    BAFilek Posts: 139 Member
    Weekend mornings - run 1 hour or more
    Monday and Friday morning -total conditioning or circuit which combines weights and cardio for 45 mins plus 15-30 on treadmill, eliptical or stair stepper
    Wednesday morning and Friday evening - 20 mins cardio, 20 mins weights and 20 mins core in a Triple Threat class
    Maybe an additional class on Tuesday evenings

    They say that cardio doesn't help lose weight. I started running 5 years ago and lost 40 pounds back then, and kept it off.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    I do between 0 and 60 minutes conditioning per week. Usually closer to 0; Ideally closer to 60.
  • DontStopB_Leakin
    DontStopB_Leakin Posts: 3,863 Member
    About 30-40 minutes, 2-3x a week. I don't do it for the burnz, I do it because I A. Enjoy it B. I get antzy on rest days C. I'd like to be one of those people that runs a gazillion 5ks for charity.
  • love4fitnesslove4food_wechange
    love4fitnesslove4food_wechange Posts: 6,897 Member
    I used to do a lot and now I do a little. Too much cardio = too much cortisol = negative impact on HPA axis = amenorrhea = infertility. UGH! I miss it though.
  • CarmenSandiegoInVA
    CarmenSandiegoInVA Posts: 235 Member
    30 mins of Cardio usually intervals of some form. And I do 45 mins to an hour of strength training 4 days a week.
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    I like to kick this **** out of my heavy bag between sets and I also use KB's a bit. I'd estimate about 1-2hrs a week in total.
  • diegoreyes75
    diegoreyes75 Posts: 4
    I did an hour today burning about 600 calories but noticed that when you do that it's hard to get back to your net goal in calories so next time probably will do just 40 minutes.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    I do ~1 long run a week, and a bunch of short runs, but I use my time wisely. I do more when there's more daylight to work with.
  • waylandcool
    waylandcool Posts: 175 Member
    At least 30-45 minutes a day. Running and Ellipitcal during the week and 45-60 minutes of fast walking on the weekend. I try to do it 5 or 6 times a week.
  • toniileii
    toniileii Posts: 2
    I do 60 minutes of cardio 3 days a week (mostly jogging, some walking. Min. 5 miles), 45 mins 2 days a week (3.5 mile min), & 30 mins 1 day per week. Combined with 5 days a week strengthen training, I've dropped 17 lbs in 10 weeks (165-148) & seen great results!
  • Goodbye_Thunder_Thighs
    Goodbye_Thunder_Thighs Posts: 91
    15-20 min HIIT 3x a week and 1x 45 min Zumba class, and occasionally a 5km walk

    30-45 min strength training 4 days a week
  • josiereside
    josiereside Posts: 720 Member
    The one with the puppy! sorry :}

    ha ha... thought you were talking about the guys above your post!
  • runningwild00
    runningwild00 Posts: 109
    6 days a week....1 rest day from cardio (besides walking about 3 miles for work!)
    Run 4x a week at least 35-40 minutes
    Bike at least 45 minutes 2x a week

    I love cardio. I love feeling my heart pumping and being drenched with sweat. It makes my body feel so good!!
    Not that I am judging, but I am always surprised when people say they only do cardio 2x a week -- you're missing out on the fun!
  • snowbike
    snowbike Posts: 153 Member
    Weekdays every day : 60 mins cycling (road)
    Weekends at least one +4 hour MTB ride on one day, the other is rest day.
    3 evenings in the week I do mix of Hiit 20 mins each time split 2 x 10 min with rest for 5 mins and 3 longer 30-50 min cross trainer cardio sessions
    Also one spinning class (45 mins)

    Also do 2-3 weight sessions a week .

    When the spring comes the gym cardio (non hiit) will swap for evening mtb/road sessions.

    Ive notice the amount of cardio I do is causing me a problem... no one will ride bikes with me any more as I go too fast for too long :D

    Ive now resorted to riding with people half my age :D
  • f1ctional
    f1ctional Posts: 235
    30 mins a day at least, sometimes I go 45 mins to an hour depending if I am feeling froggy.
  • jdholland5508
    jdholland5508 Posts: 162 Member
    Last year I had to chase my dog cause he was running away. Ever since then I have avoided it.

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