Good idea! Let's talk about cardio v weights again!!!

okgal247
okgal247 Posts: 68 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So, based on my schedule (grad school, studying, work, other responsibilities), I find myself in the gym for 30 minutes anywhere between 3 and 5 times a week. Since I have started MFP (maybe September? I'm not sure... I'm on day 59 of my streak), I have done strictly cardio.

I am drawn to weight lifting because 1) when I was in undergrad I used to be a "personal trainer," for a class and I found it to be fun (but I also had HOURS to spend in the gym) and 2) I know that muscle will burn more calories than fat. If I broke up each 30 minute session into 15 min cardio/15 min weights (upper, lower, abs depending on the day) would it be worth it? Or do I need to change to 2 days weights, 1 day cardio (if I had my minimum of 3 days)?

Thoughts?

And if I do only cardio... does that make me skinny fat? I've literally never heard of that term until yesterday! :tongue:
«1

Replies

  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    My impression is that it won't make much difference because you won't be lifting heavy enough to really matter.

    But in an ideal world, separating your lifting days from your cardio days will allow you to go harder during each, giving max effort each day. If you do both on the same day, in most cases whatever you do second will suffer.


    And on a side note, if you know this has been discussed before, why are you posting again rather than simply reading the 1000s of posts already on this topic?
  • mikeykhan2003
    mikeykhan2003 Posts: 177
    As my weight increased I had to sneak in cardio after my lifting or there was no way I could recover in time for my next lifting session. But it definitely impacted the quality of my workout.
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    I would say do a full 30 minutes of weights two days a week, then cardio the other (if you only get there 3 times). I think 30 minutes is sufficient to get a full workout if you do splits (1 day upper body, 1 lower), although it will probably be tight, but I don't think you could get much benefit from just 15. Same with cardio.

    Just my opinion.
  • rowanwood
    rowanwood Posts: 509 Member
    My impression is that it won't make much difference because you won't be lifting heavy enough to really matter.

    How do you know this? I'm confused.
  • rachaelbarton
    rachaelbarton Posts: 57 Member
    I read an awesome article yesterday that cleared it up for me. It basically said that cardio makes you a smaller version of yourself, with all the existing strengths and weaknesses exposed. So if you have no muscle tone, it's going to show. The opposite also applies. I don't know about you but I'm not just going for a smaller version of myself here! :)
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    My impression is that it won't make much difference because you won't be lifting heavy enough to really matter.

    How do you know this? I'm confused.

    I don't know, that's why I said it was my impression... It's what my gut is telling me reading between the lines of her post.

    .
  • teerae326
    teerae326 Posts: 150 Member
    I am working the StrongLifts program for heavy lifting (and LOVING it!) Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I will usually jump on the trreadmill or elliptical for 15 minutes or so following the lifting. Tuesday, Thursday and possibly a weekend day, I work the Couch to 5K program for cardio. So far, it's working for me! I'm still losing weight but I feel good about what will be left over when I reach goal.
  • Escape_Artist
    Escape_Artist Posts: 1,155 Member
    I would say do a full 30 minutes of weights two days a week, then cardio the other (if you only get there 3 times). I think 30 minutes is sufficient to get a full workout if you do splits (1 day upper body, 1 lower), although it will probably be tight, but I don't think you could get much benefit from just 15. Same with cardio.

    Just my opinion.

    Or 3X full body. It takes about that to do SL or SS
    You can add cardio on off days if you wish then
  • okgal247
    okgal247 Posts: 68 Member
    My impression is that it won't make much difference because you won't be lifting heavy enough to really matter.

    But in an ideal world, separating your lifting days from your cardio days will allow you to go harder during each, giving max effort each day. If you do both on the same day, in most cases whatever you do second will suffer.


    And on a side note, if you know this has been discussed before, why are you posting again rather than simply reading the 1000s of posts already on this topic?

    Because I asked this exact question and no one answered me. This time, I tailored the question to my situation.

    Thanks for the input.
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    I would say do a full 30 minutes of weights two days a week, then cardio the other (if you only get there 3 times). I think 30 minutes is sufficient to get a full workout if you do splits (1 day upper body, 1 lower), although it will probably be tight, but I don't think you could get much benefit from just 15. Same with cardio.

    Just my opinion.

    Or 3X full body. It takes about that to do SL or SS
    You can add cardio on off days if you wish then


    This sounds like a good idea, actually, if the OP is willing to consider the option of all 3 days being weights :smile:
  • okgal247
    okgal247 Posts: 68 Member
    My impression is that it won't make much difference because you won't be lifting heavy enough to really matter.

    How do you know this? I'm confused.

    I don't know, that's why I said it was my impression... It's what my gut is telling me reading between the lines of her post.

    .

    Just curious, as well, where this came from- what impression have I given you 'in between the lines'? I'd like to know this so that I can make sure I come across as clear as I can, as my questions and statements in my original post stated exactly what I wanted them to- nothing more and nothing less. Also curious, how do you know what will be "heavy enough" for me?
  • okgal247
    okgal247 Posts: 68 Member
    I would say do a full 30 minutes of weights two days a week, then cardio the other (if you only get there 3 times). I think 30 minutes is sufficient to get a full workout if you do splits (1 day upper body, 1 lower), although it will probably be tight, but I don't think you could get much benefit from just 15. Same with cardio.

    Just my opinion.

    Or 3X full body. It takes about that to do SL or SS
    You can add cardio on off days if you wish then


    This sounds like a good idea, actually, if the OP is willing to consider the option of all 3 days being weights :smile:

    I agree... full body sounds like a great idea, and I will definitely try the 3 days of only lifting (I have no intention of stopping my healthy life-style so I have plenty of time for trial and error!!!). Depending on whether I miss my running high- I may have to readjust, but I'm going to go in with a positive attitude :smile:

    Thanks so much, every one, for the positive advice. It's so very appreciated! :bigsmile:
  • okgal247
    okgal247 Posts: 68 Member
    I read an awesome article yesterday that cleared it up for me. It basically said that cardio makes you a smaller version of yourself, with all the existing strengths and weaknesses exposed. So if you have no muscle tone, it's going to show. The opposite also applies. I don't know about you but I'm not just going for a smaller version of myself here! :)

    I WANT ALL THE THINGS!!!!! Haha! :laugh:

    This is very interesting, and I think I understand more. I would like to be a smaller version of myself, for sure, but I also don't want to be sickly looking... Verdict is in for me- most definitely will be balancing out the work outs.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    My impression is that it won't make much difference because you won't be lifting heavy enough to really matter.

    How do you know this? I'm confused.

    I don't know, that's why I said it was my impression... It's what my gut is telling me reading between the lines of her post.

    .

    Just curious, as well, where this came from. Also curious, how do you know what will be "heavy enough" for me?

    The fact that you asked this question confirms my suspicions.
  • okgal247
    okgal247 Posts: 68 Member
    My impression is that it won't make much difference because you won't be lifting heavy enough to really matter.

    How do you know this? I'm confused.

    I don't know, that's why I said it was my impression... It's what my gut is telling me reading between the lines of her post.

    .

    Just curious, as well, where this came from. Also curious, how do you know what will be "heavy enough" for me?

    The fact that you asked this question confirms my suspicions.

    I guess I was pointing out that you were being a little judgmental? Nonetheless, I thank you for your opinions.
  • okgal247
    okgal247 Posts: 68 Member
    My impression is that it won't make much difference because you won't be lifting heavy enough to really matter.

    How do you know this? I'm confused.

    I don't know, that's why I said it was my impression... It's what my gut is telling me reading between the lines of her post.

    .

    Just curious, as well, where this came from. Also curious, how do you know what will be "heavy enough" for me?

    The fact that you asked this question confirms my suspicions.

    I guess I was pointing out that you were being a little judgmental? You do not know me, and you do not know what I am and am not capable of. Nonetheless, I thank you for your opinion(s).
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    My impression is that it won't make much difference because you won't be lifting heavy enough to really matter.

    How do you know this? I'm confused.

    I don't know, that's why I said it was my impression... It's what my gut is telling me reading between the lines of her post.

    .

    Just curious, as well, where this came from. Also curious, how do you know what will be "heavy enough" for me?

    The fact that you asked this question confirms my suspicions.

    I guess I was pointing out that you were being a little judgmental? Nonetheless, I thank you for your opinions.

    I'm not judging you... do whatever you want, as long as you aren't sitting on the couch, that's good by me.

    But when talking about weights vs cardio, there's only a significant difference (for the average MFPer) if you're actually lifting heavy. The things you say and the questions you ask make me think you don't know what lifting heavy means or why it's beneficial.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    You do not know me, and you do not know what I am and am not capable of. Nonetheless, I thank you for your opinion(s).

    You're right, I don't. So unless you want to provide that context when you ask questions, all I can do is make assumptions.
  • jim9097
    jim9097 Posts: 341 Member
    Not sure if anyone said this because I didn't read all of the posts in between: Mix them up, make your weight lifting routine cardio in nature. Not that hard to do. Actually that is how I run all of my workouts.
  • MsPudding
    MsPudding Posts: 562 Member
    The fact that you asked this question confirms my suspicions.


    Out of interest, is there any particular reason you feel the need to be a total *kitten* to her? Because, let's face it, you:

    a) Came to the opinion that she wouldn't be lifting heavy enough apropos of absolutely nothing stated in her post
    and
    b) When she then, rightly, calls you on how on earth you came to that conclusion based on absolutely nothing you take her query as confirmation for the conclusions that you've concocted out of thin air

    Op - if you've got 30 minutes I'd alternate a cardio day with a weights day.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    The fact that you asked this question confirms my suspicions.


    Out of interest, is there any particular reason you feel the need to be a total *kitten* to her? Because, let's face it, you:

    a) Came to the opinion that she wouldn't be lifting heavy enough apropos of absolutely nothing stated in her post
    and
    b) When she then, rightly, calls you on how on earth you came to that conclusion based on absolutely nothing you take her query as confirmation for the conclusions that you've concocted out of thin air

    Op - if you've got 30 minutes I'd alternate a cardio day with a weights day.

    Does being an *kitten* make me wrong?

    And being helpful vs being an *kitten* is subjecting. Being right vs wrong isn't.
  • MsPudding
    MsPudding Posts: 562 Member
    Does being an *kitten* make me wrong?

    And being helpful vs being an *kitten* is subjecting. Being right vs wrong isn't.


    a) You don't know whether you're right or wrong because you drew a conclusion based on zero evidence. You may as well have said "I know there's a pink teapot circling Mars...because I said so"
    b) The word you're looking for is 'subjective'.
  • okgal247
    okgal247 Posts: 68 Member
    [/quote]

    You're right, I don't. So unless you want to provide that context when you ask questions, all I can do is make assumptions.
    [/quote]

    You're right. I do appreciate what you have just said- I was just confused as to what you would consider "heavy enough," I really don't get that. I would lift with a weight that would make my muscle physically fatigued at the end of the set.

    Thanks, again.
  • okgal247
    okgal247 Posts: 68 Member
    Not sure if anyone said this because I didn't read all of the posts in between: Mix them up, make your weight lifting routine cardio in nature. Not that hard to do. Actually that is how I run all of my workouts.

    I like that idea, too! Thank you!!
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member

    You're right, I don't. So unless you want to provide that context when you ask questions, all I can do is make assumptions.

    You're right. I do appreciate what you have just said- I was just confused as to what you would consider "heavy enough," I really don't get that. I would lift with a weight that would make my muscle physically fatigued at the end of the set.

    Thanks, again.

    Lifting "heavy" would be dependent upon the size of the set. Lifting heavy is usually becoming fatigued at lower number of reps.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Does being an *kitten* make me wrong?

    And being helpful vs being an *kitten* is subjecting. Being right vs wrong isn't.


    a) You don't know whether you're right or wrong because you drew a conclusion based on zero evidence. You may as well have said "I know there's a pink teapot circling Mars...because I said so"
    b) The word you're looking for is 'subjective'.

    You're right... I should proofread before hitting the reply button. I apologize if my type-o made it difficult for you to understand my post. Or perhaps you're just being an *kitten*.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    I'll try to break it down a little with my thoughts....
    I know that muscle will burn more calories than fat.
    The difference is actually not that great (often wayyyyy over-stated!).
    If I broke up each 30 minute session into 15 min cardio/15 min weights (upper, lower, abs depending on the day) would it be worth it?
    IMO that's going to be largely a waste - 30 minutes isn't much time, let alone enough time do both properly. Cardio one day and weights another would be my preference. If you concentrate on compound lifts and work alternating opposing muscles with little time between sets then you could pack in a reasonable full body routine. Otherwise pick one of the established beginner routines.
    And if I do only cardio... does that make me skinny fat? I've literally never heard of that term until yesterday! :tongue:
    Depends what you have under the fat you are trying to lose. As you have trained in the past and assuming you retain the majority of your lean mass by losing weight at a steady/sensible rate you shouldn't be "skinny fat". Small amounts of cardio certainly aren't going to burn off lean mass if you have a sensible diet.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    You're right. I do appreciate what you have just said- I was just confused as to what you would consider "heavy enough," I really don't get that. I would lift with a weight that would make my muscle physically fatigued at the end of the set.

    Thanks, again.

    Lifting heavy is relative, and what's heavy for you may or may not be heavy for someone else. It's generally related to lifting to failure (at least in terms of form if not completion) in lower rep ranges. So for me, I can bench 185lbs 4 times. To me, that's heavy. To someone who can bench 225 10 times, it clearly isn't.

    And I'm not trying to be judgmental or insulting or anything else. But when people ask about mixing cardio with lifting, they are rarely talking about heavy lifting because both require significant effort, and whichever you do first will fatigue enough such that you can't do the second (speaking very generally, there are some exceptions). If you really think you can do a cardio workout immediately followed by a weight workout, neither is probably intense enough to be of significant value. That's why I said you probably wouldn't be lifting heavy enough for it to really matter.

    Again, anything is better than nothing. But if you want real benefit, real progress, break up the cardio and weights and give 100% to whichever you are doing on any given day.

    Ultimately though, it really comes down to the effort you give. If you give 100% effort to a "less efficient" program (like 15/15), you may well see better results than if you halfass a "better" routine. So the effort you give and you're willingness to stick with it play a role in your decision too.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    I only lift twice a week for 3-45 minutes. As heavy as I can, so about 135lbs for squat, 115lbs for bench, 185lbs for dead, currently.

    My routine:

    A:
    Squats: 3x5
    Bench: 3x5
    Dumbbell rows: 3x8
    Shoulder press: 3x8

    B:
    Deadlifts: 3x5
    OHP: 3x5
    Pendlay Rows: 3x5
    Bench Press: 3x5

    ETA: I do cardio very sporadically. Maybe a mountain bike ride once every two weeks, or jump on the stair climber in the basement whenever I drag myself out of bed early. Maybe sometimes I'll be more focused on it.
  • compgeek812
    compgeek812 Posts: 57 Member
    Check out this article: http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/training/weight-training-for-fat-loss-part-1.html
    Has some really good information relevant to your question as well as some training options on page two.

Categories