Stronglifts 5x5 for Women

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cardio while doing stronglifts

j99li
j99li Posts: 421 Member
edited February 7 in Social Groups
Hi everyone!

While I was doing stronglifts on M, W, F, I would also do a spin class on tues and thurs (weekends off). It has always been fine but recently, I feel like my legs are constantly tired

This morning while I was doing my squats, my warm-up weights were 78.75lbs and 118lbs with my actual work weight being 157.5lbs. Even the 78.75lbs (which usually feel ok to me) were so freaking difficult!

Do you ladies do cardio on the days you don't do SL? Is spin too much as it is also a hard leg workout?

What do you guys suggest?

Thanks!

Replies

  • Fittreelol
    Fittreelol Posts: 2,535 Member
    Eat more or spin less. :smile:
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    Eat more or spin less. :smile:
    ^This. Or just accept that one will limit the other. I lift the day after rowing and my lifts usually suck because of it. On a different day, I lift in the morning and run in the afternoon; I suck at running. Of course, I suck at running anyways, but lifting the same day isn't helping. True rest days can be nice though; it's when your muscles rebuild and recover.
  • j99li
    j99li Posts: 421 Member
    Eat more or spin less. :smile:

    So cut back on my cardio? What kind of calorie levels are you eating at?
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    What are your goals? Are you trying to lose weight, or are you just trying to get stronger?

    IMO you should be able to do 1-2 cardio sessions a week as long as your recovery is good - that's the key - how well you're recovering. Do you sleep enough, eat enough?

    Personally, I think everyone should do a little cardio a couple times a week - for heart health and overall cardio health. I'd stick with Spinning and eat more on days you do so. If you find you're still struggling with your lifts, cut it to 1 day/week or cut the intensity in Spin Class.
  • j99li
    j99li Posts: 421 Member
    I would like to do both...lose weight and get stronger. I believe I am getting enough sleep and I just upped my calories from 1795 to 1842.

    I find that my quads are feeling super tired all the time and I am just feeling really fatigued from it all. My spin instructors are the "go go go!!!" type and they always call ppl out for not pushing hard enough lol
    What are your goals? Are you trying to lose weight, or are you just trying to get stronger?

    IMO you should be able to do 1-2 cardio sessions a week as long as your recovery is good - that's the key - how well you're recovering. Do you sleep enough, eat enough?

    Personally, I think everyone should do a little cardio a couple times a week - for heart health and overall cardio health. I'd stick with Spinning and eat more on days you do so. If you find you're still struggling with your lifts, cut it to 1 day/week or cut the intensity in Spin Class.
  • wendypow
    wendypow Posts: 81 Member
    I HATE when spin teachers do that! There was a guy who would sub sometimes and he would walk around the room looking at your leg muscles, and if he thought they weren't pushing hard enough he'd stand there and make you up the resistance! I always snuck out when I saw that he was teaching! LOL.

    Anyway, I do the elliptical or stairclimber on Tuesday & Thursday, I've been ok with that. Lift MWF.

    :)
  • j99li
    j99li Posts: 421 Member
    God I am like dreading going spinning tmr......
  • Qski
    Qski Posts: 246 Member
    Maybe let your spin teacher know? that you are all for the class, but you need to take it down a level so your quads can recover from your lifting? You would still help your cardio endurance, but you are not spinning like some to shape your legs, you are spinning to increase your endurance, so you don't have to push your muscles too a point where they are getting aggravated even more in their 'recovery' day.

    I also want to do cardio because hey, you never know when you need to run around a field and look cool or run away from an angry doggy who thinks your butt looks like a chew toy (or whatever).

    But I think for me at the moment (because I am coming straight from lard *kitten* couch land) both my cardio (couch to 5 k) and my lifting are giving me strength gains because my muscles were practically comatose before I slapped em awake 10 weeks ago.

    Sprinting cyclists can get massive thighs - I don't think it's just lifting that is causing that, the intense cycling must be building muscle too. And the get up out your seat part of a spin class would definitely do that I think.
  • j99li
    j99li Posts: 421 Member
    LOL you have no idea what that instructors like...I've told her that I want to ease it back but she said "no, the heavy lifting is not the way to go".

    I've decided to skip the spinning today...my left leg is too tired.....anyone have any ideas for things to do on the week days that I dont lift? What are you lifting?
  • roxylola
    roxylola Posts: 540 Member
    I walk my dogs the days I don't lift. That's about all unless I suddenly have a ton of spare time in which case I sometimes do a bit of a mixed workout. 20 mins cardio, some core work, some accessory lifts like split squats. That said I try and get 10-20 mins cardio in before I lift anyway
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    LOL you have no idea what that instructors like...I've told her that I want to ease it back but she said "no, the heavy lifting is not the way to go".

    I'm a certified Spinning instructor and I'll be blunt, your instructor sucks! As an instructor you're there to encourage people and instruct a fun and safe class, not get in people's faces and push them possibly beyond their limits.

    That said, I'd keep with the Spinning but find a new instructor.
  • rlw911
    rlw911 Posts: 475 Member
    I don't spin. Never have, probably never will. :happy: But, I was wondering if you have to take a class? Can you just go in and use the spin bikes on your own time? If so, maybe that would work for you.
  • vendygirl
    vendygirl Posts: 718 Member
    Find a different spin instructor. That ones sounds wretched. I loved my old spin instructor. He had the best music and he looked like a normal person! He was fit but he wasn't bulked up or super skinny like ultra spinners. He was just right.

    Anyways. I say use stationary bike at your gym w/o going to class or I say go for walks. Maybe try rowing? The rowing machines are good cardio workout.
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