HATE Cardio, LOVE weight-training

xSirensSong
xSirensSong Posts: 615 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I need some opinions/help. I go to the gym 5 days a week & do weight training & cardio. I'm only there for around an hour, with 35 minutes of weight training & around 20 minutes of cardio (treadmill-walking/jogging).

I absolutely LOATHE cardio. I am in love with weight training and am wondering, will I see a loss if I focus on weight training alone? I don't want to be bulky, but cardio is so boring to me, no matter what it is: Walking, running, dancing, Zumba, Kinect, etc...

What do you think or what have you found? I wouldn't mind having a few websites to look at either.
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Replies

  • BIH92
    BIH92 Posts: 14
    That's fine if you are doing completely work out for your body from free weight and machines. I recommend you to do some light cardio such as riding a bicycle or jogging at least. Only one time a week is enough.
  • boehle
    boehle Posts: 5,062 Member
    I do the arc for about 20 minutes, go do some work on the weight machines and then I go on the bike for about 15 minutes so I try to cover all aspects
  • msf74
    msf74 Posts: 3,498 Member
    will I see a loss if I focus on weight training alone?

    Yes, presuming you continue to eat less than your TDEE.

    Cardio can be an insurance policy against over eating for some people.
  • bethanytowell
    bethanytowell Posts: 256 Member
    Calorie Deficit = Weight Loss
    Cardio = Look good in your clothes....Get to eat a little more.
    Lifting Heavy = Look great naked....Get to eat A LOT more.
  • LoggingForLife
    LoggingForLife Posts: 504 Member
    Remember your heart is a muscle too. It needs to keep strong or else....
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    I do cardio usually only once a week, twice if I can fit it in. I do enough to keep myself in "shape". Also the superficial side of me doesn't want to be that girl that looks fit but can't run a mile without dying.
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  • Tessyloowhoo
    Tessyloowhoo Posts: 504
    Why not mix cardio with strength and do Kettlebells? That is what i do besides walking to and from the gym.
  • EmilyOfTheSun
    EmilyOfTheSun Posts: 1,548 Member
    will I see a loss if I focus on weight training alone?

    As long as you're eating at a deficit (staying under your calorie goal), you will see a loss. You actually don't need to work out at all to see a loss, just stay under your calorie goal. Though working out is definitely beneficial. If you want to cut out the cardio, you will be fine.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I'd suggest getting out of the gym for your cardio. Unless you hate all movement other than sitting, lying or lifting, then there is likely some form of cardio exercise that you enjoy. Hike, bike, shoot hoops, play in the park, sleigh ride, ski, water ski, swim, dance, etc. Just find an activity you like. Exercise doesn't have to take place inside a sweaty gym.
  • fitandgeeky
    fitandgeeky Posts: 232 Member
    I lost most of my weight with almost no cardio and lifting heavy. It really boils down to eating at healthy deficit and figuring out what macro ratios work for you. Cardio is good for your heart, but it's not essential for weight loss. I'm with you on the loathing cardio. I only do 10 minutes to warm up before I lift and that's all I've done for the last six months.
  • talie244
    talie244 Posts: 14 Member
    Don't worry about being bulky, i'm the same i enjoy weight training more than cardio so i alternate week to week to keep my body guessing. Maybe try doing cardio out of the gym and find something fun like swimming or walking outdoors than it won't be boring and you can lift at the gym :)

    http://www.prevention.com/fitness/fitness-tips/9-reasons-women-should-lift-weights
  • escloflowneCHANGED
    escloflowneCHANGED Posts: 3,038 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1121899-lean-women-w-abs-how-did-you-do-it

    Read and look at poster #2 on that thread....
  • BekaBooluvsu
    BekaBooluvsu Posts: 470 Member
    When I do weight training (and have had a trainer in the past) I always start with a cardio warm up such as a quick jog around the building or run on the treadmill until I got my heart rate at the fat burning zone which for me only took about 5 minutes.
  • fitandgeeky
    fitandgeeky Posts: 232 Member
    I'd like to add that lifting will not make you bulky with or without cardio. You aren't going to bulk up without giving it some serious effort while eating at a surplus. It won't happen by accident. I'm actually trying to add some bulk and it's a lot harder than you would think.
  • xSirensSong
    xSirensSong Posts: 615 Member
    Thank you for everyone's input so far, I really appreciate you taking time out to answer my questions.

    I do not eat back my exercise calories (as instructed by my dietician), so cardio or not, I don't 'gain calories' to eat. My daily calorie intake is less than my TDEE (TDEE = 2100 for me [that's if I consider myself sedentary, which I guess I am. I work a desk job], & I eat around 1600-1800 calories a day [mostly on the lower end])

    The scale is a big deal for me, because I am in a Biggest Loser competition & I want to pull through for my team. I also don't want to weigh as much as I do, which I know the more muscle I have, the more fat-burning potential I have as well. I take measurements & have started losing (parts of) inches already with only doing what I am for a few weeks, but the scale still hasn't budged.

    Exercise is the key to weight loss according to my doctor with the conditions I have ~ PCOS & hypothyroidism, especially core workouts. I feel more empowered when I am weight training & more like I'm 'in my own zone', if you will. I enjoy that feeling, so I believe that's why I love it so much.
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  • Thruen
    Thruen Posts: 80 Member
    Losing weight is like 70% diet and 30% cardio, so it can be done without cardio, however cardio is really good for you so maybe try doing the 20min cardio every other workout at least?
  • breyn2004
    breyn2004 Posts: 162 Member
    I lift 3-days a week and on those days I do a 10-minute warm up (stairs, row, etc) to get my blood flowing and then I lift for an hour+. The other 2 days are cardio, but like you I think cardio can be so boring so we've changed it up and started doing a crossfit/tabata style workout and LOVE it. Keeps things changed up and not boring.

    Example:

    500m row

    10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
    -Box Jumps
    -Bosu Ball Push-Ups
    -Kettlebell Swings
    -Crunches

    500m row

    10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
    -Tuck Jumps
    -Overhead Plate Lunges
    -Leg Raises

    500 m row


    Edit: And then I usually try to run once a week just to be able to participate in some fun 5k's with friends.
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    You won't get bulky, and what's wrong with the walks with your mama?!
  • samammay
    samammay Posts: 468
    Calorie Deficit = Weight Loss
    Cardio = Look good in your clothes....Get to eat a little more.
    Lifting Heavy = Look great naked....Get to eat A LOT more.

    This.
  • Alidecker
    Alidecker Posts: 1,262 Member
    I lift 3-days a week and on those days I do a 10-minute warm up (stairs, row, etc) to get my blood flowing and then I lift for an hour+. The other 2 days are cardio, but like you I think cardio can be so boring so we've changed it up and started doing a crossfit/tabata style workout and LOVE it. Keeps things changed up and not boring.

    This is what I do also. The other thing I don't hate is jumping rope. Can't do it very long, but you don't really have to. I do a lot of it tabata style.
  • Target126
    Target126 Posts: 33 Member
    I'm not a big fan of cardio other than walking and maybe some cycling, both of which I'm actually unable to do at the moment (I can just about manage getting around in my house on a day to day basis if I take things slowly thanks to my heart being screwy)

    I have successfully lost 5lb in around 2-3 weeks just by eating at around 500 cals under my BMR 90% of the time.

    I'd say if you want to ditch dedicated cardio then go for it, there's no point pushing yourself to keep doing something you don't like as you'll just get fed up and throw in the towel.
  • xSirensSong
    xSirensSong Posts: 615 Member
    You won't get bulky, and what's wrong with the walks with your mama?!

    Lol, Cupcake, nothing is wrong with the walks with Momma Dearest, it's just far & few between anymore. When I go to the gym, I know I can get it done, then & there. Anything else is a bonus.

    I think Tabata would be pretty fun & challenging at the same time. I'll have to try that.
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    You won't get bulky, and what's wrong with the walks with your mama?!

    Lol, Cupcake, nothing is wrong with the walks with Momma Dearest, it's just far & few between anymore. When I go to the gym, I know I can get it done, then & there. Anything else is a bonus.

    I think Tabata would be pretty fun & challenging at the same time. I'll have to try that.

    You know what's fun? Fitness Blender has a HIIT workout called Red Light, Green Light on youtube. It's like 18 minutes. Tabata is only 4 minutes, so you'd probably like that. Sarauk2sf hates cardio. All she does is lift now, and she looks amazing!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Weight loss is 100% calorie deficit...it has nothing to do with the exercise you are doing. The reason people tend to emphasize cardio is because a lot of people try to create a calorie deficit with exercise and cardio burns a lot more calories during the actual exercise than weight training. Truth is, it doesn't really matter and people should have independent fitness goals; diet for weight control, exercise for fitness.

    to get the most benefit from your lifts I'd recommend using an actual lifting program if you're not already. I'd also still incorporate some cardio work...cardio is just weight lifting for your heart and cardiovascular system and is essential to all around fitness. It doesn't have to be all crazy dumb ****. I pretty much just ride my bike around for an hour or so 2-3 times per week and when I'm in racing season I do some more running obviously. I don't do machines...it's far more interesting to be outside on my bike or running through the neighborhood than droning away on a treadmill or stationary bike. I do all of my cardio on non lifting days...lifting days are strictly for lifting...I might take a walk at lunch or something, but that's about it.
  • alanlmarshall
    alanlmarshall Posts: 587 Member
    Exercise is the key to weight loss according to my doctor with the conditions I have ~ PCOS & hypothyroidism, especially core workouts.

    What the what? That sounds suspect to me, I'd get a second opinion. Maybe your doctor thinks you can spot reduce? I wouldn't take his or her weight loss advice just because he or she has an MD.

    Do you lift heavy or do more circuit training? Sounds like you would enjoy the former if you don't already.

    It doesn't take much to get the heart benefits of cardio. There is no reason to suffer through something you don't enjoy. Try out some different activities you like and find one you like.
  • nellyett
    nellyett Posts: 436 Member
    I toggle back and forth with cardio. Sometimes I want to go for an easy run and clear my head. Other times I want to get it done quick and dirty! When I have days like that, then I always turn to HIIT exercises. Usually sprints or burpees. They really get your heart rate up! There are a few examples below....there are tons more online. :)

    http://www.simplyshredded.com/crank-it-up-6-hiit-cardio-workouts-to-help-shred-the-fat.html
  • xSirensSong
    xSirensSong Posts: 615 Member
    Do you lift heavy or do more circuit training? Sounds like you would enjoy the former if you don't already.

    It doesn't take much to get the heart benefits of cardio. There is no reason to suffer through something you don't enjoy. Try out some different activities you like and find one you like.

    I like just doing free weights, the weight machines, etc... I just started a couple weeks ago & am trying to steadily increase as the exercise seem to be getting 'easier'. I can only squat press 120 pounds right now, pull down around 70 pounds, upright row about 70 pounds, crunch around 50 pounds, abs/lower back 110 pounds, torso rotations at 80 pounds... So not the best right now, but I'm working on continually getting better... You have to start somewhere, right?

    Thanks again for the help/suggestions everyone.
  • FrnkLft
    FrnkLft Posts: 1,821 Member
    You won't get bulky, it's hard enough for men to get bulky and we're really trying lol

    And yeah it can help you loose. I burn about 400 calories lifting for an hour.

    You should get on a program though, so that you have some focus and you're not just screwing around in the gym.

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