Strength Training VS Cardio

First, I wouldn't necessarily use "how much am I sweating" as an indicator of a good workout.

Second, you have heard correct. Your muscles need time to repair. A good guideline is 48 hours. If you are working different muscles (e.g. Upper Body Day 1, Lower Body Day 2, Upper Body Day 3, etc.) that's fine. But doing the same routine each day probably isn't the most beneficial.

It's not a "vs", it's an "and".

The optimal ratio depends on your goals. At one end of the spectrum, for example endurance runners, it will be something like 75% cardio, 15% intervals, 10% lifting. At another point, for example a down lineman, it might be something like 20% cardio, 60% intervals, 20% lifting (all numbers approximate).

Figure out your goals, and model your efforts on those who excel at the same goals. If you want a basketball body, train like a basketball player, etc.

As others have said, there is not a hard and fast rule and is dependent upon your personal fitness goals.

It's not a "vs", it's an "and".

The optimal ratio depends on your goals. At one end of the spectrum, for example endurance runners, it will be something like 75% cardio, 15% intervals, 10% lifting. At another point, for example a down lineman, it might be something like 20% cardio, 60% intervals, 20% lifting (all numbers approximate).

Figure out your goals, and model your efforts on those who excel at the same goals. If you want a basketball body, train like a basketball player, etc.

I think one of the very first things I mentioned was that my goal is to lose fat.

I was referring to fitness goals. If you have no fitness goals, it doesn't really matter much what you do, so do whatever you are most likely to keep doing. Many will say that resistance training is better because it will maintain lean body mass, but it turns out even that basic advice doesn't hold for a large segment of the population.

Heartrate is a good way to monitor cardio exercise. Making progress by lifting a little heavier weight each time or over a period of time is a way to measure your weight lifting exercise.

If you want to lose fat, then doing some cardio along with some weight training would be good. Really all you need to do to lose fat is just eat a calorie deficit, but doing exercise will speed that process up and give you more energy and boost your metabolism.

My personal goal right now is to lose fat as well. I'm down 13 lbs and have about 20 lbs or so to go. Between the cardio and weight lifting I'm losing fat and inches off of my waist while maintaining my muscle mass from lifting weights and eating a healthy diet. The idea is to burn the fat off your body to reveal the muscles you most likely already have but just cant' see since they're covered up by a layer of fat. The other big part of the equation is I'm eating at a 20% deficit right now which is giving me about 1-2 lb weight loss per week on average.

So I think both cardio and weight lifting can help you lose fat.

Damn, that's like 3 or 4 sensible, non-hyperbolic posts in a row. Isn't there an MFP rule against that?

:laugh:

Ok here you go...

Eat 800 calories a day consisting only of protein shakes and no whole foodsl, run 10 miles a day with a trash bag around your body, squat 400 lbs without a spotter, and aim to lose 10 lbs a week. Now that's some solid BAD advice right there! Haha!

*notes to stop wearing trash bag while running* Thanks!

Different things work for different people.

As for weight training on consecutive days, it really depends on your program. For example, you would usually do a full body routine 3x/week or every other day, but you could do an upper lower split on consecutive days.

I find it curious that cardio "works your muscles even harder" than strength training though. What sort of program are you following or are you just kind of messing around with machines and such?

Also, what are your goals? Most people tend to enjoy weight training more than cardio, so they focus on that, but many women (myself included) find that cardio is very helpful for fat loss.

Also, just noticed your comment that weight training is "slow and relaxed" which kind of confirms that you might not be doing it right :ohwell:

Im doing Turbo Jam cardio party and other turbo jam videos. Im absolutely exhausted and my muscles are sore after doing cardio party.

Same for strength training, I do turbo sculpt, its not as fast paced as the aerobics or running or jumping jacks, and I sweat profusely just from using 3 pound weights. Im feeling my muscles afterwards, but theyre not as sore as after an intense aerobic workout.

Im pretty sure the turbo jam chick is doing it properly...

Yup, Turbo Jam chick is doing CARDIO properly. Unfortunately those programs are not "strength training". Body Beast would be the closest you would come to strength/weight training via DVD.

Different things work for different people.

As for weight training on consecutive days, it really depends on your program. For example, you would usually do a full body routine 3x/week or every other day, but you could do an upper lower split on consecutive days.

I find it curious that cardio "works your muscles even harder" than strength training though. What sort of program are you following or are you just kind of messing around with machines and such?

Also, what are your goals? Most people tend to enjoy weight training more than cardio, so they focus on that, but many women (myself included) find that cardio is very helpful for fat loss.

Also, just noticed your comment that weight training is "slow and relaxed" which kind of confirms that you might not be doing it right :ohwell:

Im doing Turbo Jam cardio party and other turbo jam videos. Im absolutely exhausted and my muscles are sore after doing cardio party.

Same for strength training, I do turbo sculpt, its not as fast paced as the aerobics or running or jumping jacks, and I sweat profusely just from using 3 pound weights. Im feeling my muscles afterwards, but theyre not as sore as after an intense aerobic workout.

Im pretty sure the turbo jam chick is doing it properly...

Yup, Turbo Jam chick is doing CARDIO properly. Unfortunately those programs are not "strength training". Body Beast would be the closest you would come to strength/weight training via DVD.

umm Turbo Sculpt is strength training, maybe you should actually research stuff before you try to give advice about it.

Haha yeah okay! I'll get on it!

Good luck :flowerforyou:

Different things work for different people.

As for weight training on consecutive days, it really depends on your program. For example, you would usually do a full body routine 3x/week or every other day, but you could do an upper lower split on consecutive days.

I find it curious that cardio "works your muscles even harder" than strength training though. What sort of program are you following or are you just kind of messing around with machines and such?

Also, what are your goals? Most people tend to enjoy weight training more than cardio, so they focus on that, but many women (myself included) find that cardio is very helpful for fat loss.

Also, just noticed your comment that weight training is "slow and relaxed" which kind of confirms that you might not be doing it right :ohwell:

Im doing Turbo Jam cardio party and other turbo jam videos. Im absolutely exhausted and my muscles are sore after doing cardio party.

Same for strength training, I do turbo sculpt, its not as fast paced as the aerobics or running or jumping jacks, and I sweat profusely just from using 3 pound weights. Im feeling my muscles afterwards, but theyre not as sore as after an intense aerobic workout.

Im pretty sure the turbo jam chick is doing it properly...

Yup, Turbo Jam chick is doing CARDIO properly. Unfortunately those programs are not "strength training". Body Beast would be the closest you would come to strength/weight training via DVD.

umm Turbo Sculpt is strength training, maybe you should actually research stuff before you try to give advice about it.

Can't tell if trolling or not

Wait... 3 lb weights equal "strength training"? :noway: ... I have been doing it wrong this whole time. :laugh:

Wait... 3 lb weights equal "strength training"? :noway: ... I have been doing it wrong this whole time. :laugh:

Put the barbell down and back away slowly...

OMG We have ALL been doing it wrong all this time. I should have done RESEARCH :sad: :sad: :sad:

Haha actually yeah, my purse does weight more than 3lbs. I think I should start to log every time I pick it up and carry it around. That likely burns like an extra 600 calories/day which mean I could eat more Halloween chocolate.

Aud's, you are you smart!!!

edited for wording :laugh:

Different things work for different people.

As for weight training on consecutive days, it really depends on your program. For example, you would usually do a full body routine 3x/week or every other day, but you could do an upper lower split on consecutive days.

I find it curious that cardio "works your muscles even harder" than strength training though. What sort of program are you following or are you just kind of messing around with machines and such?

Also, what are your goals? Most people tend to enjoy weight training more than cardio, so they focus on that, but many women (myself included) find that cardio is very helpful for fat loss.

Also, just noticed your comment that weight training is "slow and relaxed" which kind of confirms that you might not be doing it right :ohwell:

Im doing Turbo Jam cardio party and other turbo jam videos. Im absolutely exhausted and my muscles are sore after doing cardio party.

Same for strength training, I do turbo sculpt, its not as fast paced as the aerobics or running or jumping jacks, and I sweat profusely just from using 3 pound weights. Im feeling my muscles afterwards, but theyre not as sore as after an intense aerobic workout.

Im pretty sure the turbo jam chick is doing it properly...

Yup, Turbo Jam chick is doing CARDIO properly. Unfortunately those programs are not "strength training". Body Beast would be the closest you would come to strength/weight training via DVD.

umm Turbo Sculpt is strength training, maybe you should actually research stuff before you try to give advice about it.

Your purse likely weighs more than 3lbs...

If she's just starting out with weights, she's going to see a small increase in muscle, as long as she progressively increases her weights as they become too easy. Turbo Sculpt is actually where I got started.