No one seems to like cardio anymore...

Perhaps it is just me but I thought you needed to do some cardio to lose body fat. I know it can be boring at times but isn't it necessary to do in order to get leaner and lower your body fat? It's not that I'm a big fan or anything although I do love to run but I also lift weights too. It just seems that cardio isn't fun anymore.

Thoughts?
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Replies

  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    These things go in phases. For a long time, lifting weights was considered a low-end exercise for knuckle draggers. Now it's hot, hot, hot! The pendulum will swing back the other way soon enough, and all the CrossFit ads will be replaced by a solo jogger in Nike runners in some beautiful setting with a voiceover saying something about getting "Back to Basics".

    The reality is a well-tuned physique requires a combination of strength (from resistance training) and a strong cardiovascular system (from lots of cardio), and that's not going to change for a long long time.
  • chelciebrown07
    chelciebrown07 Posts: 255 Member
    I get that feeling a lot too, people are constantly telling me to stop slogging away at the treadmill and lift some weights. Personally I love weight lifting and I do it three days a week, but I also absolutely love to run too. Having to go back to the treadmill after running outside all summer was difficult, but it's still worth it to be able to run even when there is two feet of snow outside. I think like all things in diet and exercise, it's about balance and moderation!
  • TyFit08
    TyFit08 Posts: 799 Member
    Cardio works the most important muscle of them all, the heart. Some may choose not to do it, but you can't dismiss its positive effect on your overall health. I think some are pushing lifting at the expense of cardio to overcompensate for the cardio only folks, when in reality Lifting and Cardio work best together, My husband is an avid lifter and did virtually no cardio. He is very fit, athletic build. Then one day he started having chest pains, and had to be hospitalized for blood pressure through the roof. He didn't even know he had high blood pressure and was put on meds. His doctor encouraged him to increase his cardio, which he has done and its hoping to eventually get off the meds.
  • Psh. I love me some cardio. That's my favorite thing. I love moving and pushing myself to the extreme by doing HIIT training.

    On the other hand, I love lifting. It takes both to get results.
  • whitebalance
    whitebalance Posts: 1,654 Member
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  • hedgiie
    hedgiie Posts: 1,226 Member
    I like cardio
  • jwdieter
    jwdieter Posts: 2,582 Member
    A whole lot of people do cardio in various forms. It's not necessary for fat loss, or just looking good.
  • ContraryMaryMary
    ContraryMaryMary Posts: 1,786 Member
    Tell me about it. I'm over people on MFP dissing running and saying you need to do squats to tone your thighs and butt - that's called running hills, baby, and sprint work is amazing for building these muscles too. I'd rather be out in the fresh air than in some smelly gym, thanks very much.
  • Perhaps it is just me but I thought you needed to do some cardio to lose body fat. I know it can be boring at times but isn't it necessary to do in order to get leaner and lower your body fat? It's not that I'm a big fan or anything although I do love to run but I also lift weights too. It just seems that cardio isn't fun anymore.

    Thoughts?

    You dont have to, if you like it, just do it in moderation is all. I personally don't like running because of the increased risk of injury/compression, I get bored of it and bored of aerobic machine substitutes, and my dogs need to walk which means if I do both I use up too much time. So I eliminate the boredom and combine it and my dog time into hikes with a loaded pack.
  • honeysprinkles
    honeysprinkles Posts: 1,757 Member
    I really like cardio, I have a hard time getting into strength training but I know it's important too.
  • SailorKnightWing
    SailorKnightWing Posts: 875 Member
    You don't need to do cardio to lose fat, but it definitely helps. It helps increase your calorie deficit so you can eat more! I remember a couple months ago someone was raging on cardio, saying no one should do cardio ever except for their health. And I couldn't possibly think of any more awkward phrasing than that.
  • Madame_Goldbricker
    Madame_Goldbricker Posts: 1,625 Member
    I enjoy cardio. I like having my designated gym time. Once I'm in the doors it'd be pretty pointless not doing something. If I'm sat at home I can always find some excuse to not leave the sofa!
  • TyFit08
    TyFit08 Posts: 799 Member
    I get that everyone has a preference. Some people find cardio boring, but maybe that is because they aren't taking advantage of all the different activities that constitute cardio. I have really fallen in love with running this year. It is challenging and rewarding. To run further and faster gives me a great sense of satisfaction. To hold my own in a race makes me feel like I've really accomplished something. There is always room for improvement, whether that be in speed, distance, endurance. I don't get that same joy out of weight lifting. Do I lift weights, yes. But I don't get that same high or sense of accomplishment after a workout. Generally, I want it done as soon as possible. We like what we like. Still It is great that so many, especially women are getting into lifting and pushing their bodies further, but dismissing cardio, that's not so great.
  • ImRemko
    ImRemko Posts: 34 Member
    For pure fat loss, no, cardio is not necessary for people who are able to create a caloric deficit by adjusting their diet. That being said, cardio does offer a variety of health benefits. If the benefits cardio offers you is worth it to you, keep doing it. If it doesn't don't do it.

    Welcome to the circle-jerk of lifters vs cardio practitioners and everything in between, where you can't listen to anyone and do whatever the F you want.
  • mustgetmuscles1
    mustgetmuscles1 Posts: 3,346 Member
    Some people love it and some hate it. The problem comes when someone believes they HAVE to do something. The truth is that to lose weight you only have to eat less than you burn. Thats it. You can just eat less or be more active or a combination of the two.

    Then someone will chime in with why would you tell them not to do cardio it is sooooo good for you. I never said NOT to. I said it was not necessary to lose weight.

    Then I will point out that "weight" loss is not the same as "fat" loss. If you want to lose mostly fat then you might want to start some form of resistance training (weightlifting is one form not the only form). Many studies show that calorie deficit combined with resistance training spares muscle loss while dieting or dieting with only cardio does not.

    Then someone will chime in with..."Yes but you have to do cardio for heart health."

    I will politely point out there is evidence that resistance training has great cardiovascular benefits as well. At this point someone mistakes this for a weightlifting VS cardio statement or that I implied weightlifting was just as good for improving heart health or that it is all you would need to run a race.

    *facepalm*
  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    I want to up my cardio time. I just don't like it much (I get all sorts of tendonitis/bursitis easily). But I want my heart healthier, so I want to do more.

    I'm building better muscle structure around my joints with lifting, so hopefully cardio won't aggravate things so much and I'll be able to up the frequency/time.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,026 Member
    Most people don't really want to do any physical activity nor diet if they could avoid it. It's gonna differ from person to person about cardio. Some love running. Some like myself don't, but do it minimally just because. Just like some despise lifting weights, but do it anyway for better muscle tone.
    And while cardio does burn more calories than strength training, overall it's going to come down to diet for fat loss.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • micia4u
    micia4u Posts: 15 Member
    Most people don't really want to do any physical activity nor diet if they could avoid it. It's gonna differ from person to person about cardio. Some love running. Some like myself don't, but do it minimally just because. Just like some despise lifting weights, but do it anyway for better muscle tone.
    And while cardio does burn more calories than strength training, overall it's going to come down to diet for fat loss.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    Simply put! Love it!
    GO SEAHAWKS!!!!
  • Myhaloslipped
    Myhaloslipped Posts: 4,317 Member
    I do cardio for health reasons, stress relief and to create a deficit, but the results just come SO much faster from lifting than from cardio, and they make me look much hotter.
  • knittnponder
    knittnponder Posts: 1,953 Member
    I love weight lifting and always have. I haven't always been able to do it because of lack of equipment and that type of thing but I've missed it when I haven't been able to do it.

    Cardio I hated for a long time but then realized it was the type of cardio I was doing. Now that I realize there are more fun ways of doing it than the elliptical or treadmill I'm all for it! I am in the camp that feels you need both for a well rounded fitness program. I love biking, dancing, hiking and used to love Taekwondo when I was taking that.

    Plus my blood pressure says I have to keep doing cardio. :)
  • littleburgy
    littleburgy Posts: 570 Member
    Personally, cardio is what I love the most. I just love the way it makes me feel. Continuous blood pumping leaves me feeling cleaned out and energized.

    But I do some weights, too, for toning and strength.
    GO SEAHAWKS!!!!

    Here here! 12th man! :smile:
  • bmqbonnie
    bmqbonnie Posts: 836 Member
    I do cardio for health reasons, stress relief and to create a deficit, but the results just come SO much faster from lifting than from cardio, and they make me look much hotter.
    This. I don't think it's wise to ditch cardio at all, but between the two for aesthetic reasons, weight lifting is the way to go.

    But I feel you. I am getting a little sick of it too. Like people assume that because I do cardio that I've never heard of lifting weights.
  • As already stated, weight loss can be done just through caloric intake. I prefer weights but If you enjoy cardio by all means do what you enjoy.
  • TyFit08
    TyFit08 Posts: 799 Member
    As already stated, weight loss can be done just through caloric intake. I prefer weights but If you enjoy cardio by all means do what you enjoy.

    I think the debate has started because of people doing their preferences only. Just as many have shamed the cardio only group, and understandably why, I think the strength training only group should also reconsider their ways. Cardio is good for your overall health, just as strength training is great for gaining muscle and weight control/loss. They complement each other. I prefer cardio over weight training, but I still pick up a dumbbell. If you prefer to lift, adding running or walking or whatever can only benefit you.
  • Qski
    Qski Posts: 246 Member
    These things go in phases. For a long time, lifting weights was considered a low-end exercise for knuckle draggers. Now it's hot, hot, hot! The pendulum will swing back the other way soon enough, and all the CrossFit ads will be replaced by a solo jogger in Nike runners in some beautiful setting with a voiceover saying something about getting "Back to Basics".

    I'm confused... isn't the point of CrossFit (aside from the controversies have read all of that) - that you build on all aspects of fitness and not that you become a cardio guru or a weight guru - but you can do everything better than average?

    and as for cardio I have always hated it... even when I was in high school and in the athletics team - that goes all the way back to Jane Fonda and Denise Austin in their lycra and leg warmers (even before that...) Not a new thing.
  • If you prefer to lift, adding running or walking or whatever can only benefit you.

    We're going to disagree here
  • TyFit08
    TyFit08 Posts: 799 Member
    If you prefer to lift, adding running or walking or whatever can only benefit you.

    We're going to disagree here
    Just to clarify, are you saying there are no benefits to cardio? Because the point I'm making is that you should incorporate both in your routine
  • GiGiBeans
    GiGiBeans Posts: 1,062 Member
    Trail running, hills and sprints - weeee! And just plain walking!

    I cut back on cardio for a lil over a month to see if it made a difference in body composition and yes it did. I now have more fat over my abs. :laugh: :sad: :laugh:
  • fabafter5
    fabafter5 Posts: 200 Member
    I like strength training but the cardio keeps me off Prozac :D
  • tlou5
    tlou5 Posts: 497 Member
    OP- Thank you for this post. I have a herniated disk in my neck and can not lift per doctors orders until 4 months after my fusion and even then am not to go over 50# for the rest of my life. All the posts here about lifting lifting lifting being the only thing that works for fitness has been really depressing when the only things I can do are elliptical, biking, and walking.

    So glad to hear some pluses for cardio!!