Couch to 5K Running Program (C25K)

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Cardio on C25k off Days?

kelbwjax
kelbwjax Posts: 89 Member
edited January 21 in Social Groups
Started C25K last week and loving it, however I am used to doing at least 20 minutes of cardio followed by strength training 5 days a week... Does anyone else have a cardio program they do on off days?

Replies

  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    When I started doing C25K...no. C25K was my cardio other than the 3 mile walks I would do at the dog park.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    Not really. You need time to rest and regain fitness. I'd do weight training or yoga.
  • kelbwjax
    kelbwjax Posts: 89 Member
    I've been doing interval running for a while in the beginner/intermediate category, I hate having rest days on cardio in between. I feel like I really need to be doing cardio daily to help build up my endurance and loose weight.
  • Philllbis
    Philllbis Posts: 801 Member
    I doubled the C25K days and ran 6 days a week. You have to be careful with running this much but everyone is different. I also lifted 3 days a week followed by cardio. On strict cardio days I repeated the C25K day followed by 20-30 minutes of HIIT on the eeliptical.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    http://www.active.com/running/Articles/What-to-Do-on-Rest-and-Recovery-Days
  • saunderl
    saunderl Posts: 12 Member
    On my rest days I do a short elliptical workout and strength training.
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    It is okay to do non-impact cardio, just make sure you are not harming your recovery from C25K. Short HIITs are fine. I just didn't do it.
  • kelbwjax
    kelbwjax Posts: 89 Member
    http://www.active.com/running/Articles/What-to-Do-on-Rest-and-Recovery-Days

    That is awesome, apparently I am a mile-aholic.... Hopefully I can actually make myself rest, I really need to get the idea out of my head that if I don't run I cant loose weight.
  • loril13
    loril13 Posts: 320 Member
    That is awesome, apparently I am a mile-aholic.... Hopefully I can actually make myself rest, I really need to get the idea out of my head that if I don't run I cant loose weight.

    I am the same way. I have to force myself to take at least one day off a week. - I run 2x a week, do strength training 2x a week, yoga one day and zumba one day.
  • kelbwjax
    kelbwjax Posts: 89 Member
    That is awesome, apparently I am a mile-aholic.... Hopefully I can actually make myself rest, I really need to get the idea out of my head that if I don't run I cant loose weight.

    I am the same way. I have to force myself to take at least one day off a week. - I run 2x a week, do strength training 2x a week, yoga one day and zumba one day.

    Wow I really like that routine, it sounds super fun!
  • KathleenKP
    KathleenKP Posts: 580 Member
    I do a lot of other exercise. Since you are already used to it, I'd keep it up. Cross-train.
  • sarahbw22
    sarahbw22 Posts: 130 Member
    The first 4 weeks of C25K I didn't do any additional cardio. The three days of running was tough on me and I had to let my body adjust. I'm at the end of week 5 and as of last week, I added Zumba on my off days. So for me, it's 3 days of running, 3 days of Zumba and 2 strength training. I take one day completely off. And I usually lift after the C25K because my heart rate is elevated and it helps me burn more calories. Best of luck!!
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