Running vs workout videos

hersheysandcocoa · December 2013

Background: 2 years ago, I lost 10 Ibs in 3 months, logging in my calories and walking 3.5 mph for 90 mins per day. Throughout the course of that year, I lost another 10 Ibs AND my period. Hoping to gain my health back, I stopped logging in my calories and gained the 10 Ibs back. Now I'm trying to get rid of the extra fat on my belly and thighs and strengthening my body with some workout videos. During the summer, I lost an inch or two around my waist and thighs doing Julian Michael's 6 week 6 pack. Unfortunately, I somehow gained that inch back.

I started with doing HIIT runs on the treadmill (alternating between different inclines and speeds) but didn't see any major changes in a whole month. Then, I decided to do 30 day shred. Since I've finished 30 day shred, I've been doing BBL, replacing the cardio axe in the schedule with Turbofire's HIIT 30.

3 weeks into the BBL and cardio axe hybrid, I noticed my stomach slim down only a little and besides that, not much have changed.
I'm starting to switch my workout to T25 + BBL videos and I'm wondering if running would be a better substitute than T25?

PikaKnight · December 2013

It sounds like your goals are more body composition focused. In that case, I'd start including/focusing more on strength/resistance training rather than cardio (running/30DS, etc).

If you aren't able to get to a gym or have access to a barbell, there is always body weight exercises and dumbbells.

I would suggest looking into/reading Starting Strength, Stronglifts and AllPros. Even without the barbell, you can learn a lot about technique, progression, and more...and you can also adapt the barbell exercises with dumbbells.

There is a Cap Barbell Dumbbell set (w/ plates) on Amazon for about $50. It is about 30-35lbs to start. You can purchase heavier plates as funds become available.
http://www.amazon.com/Cap-Barbell-40-Pound-Dumbbell-Set/dp/B000VCDXNS/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386018141&sr=8-1&keywords=cap+barbell+dumbbell+set

Or you can check out craigslist and Ebay for benches, weights, etc.

For bodyweight routines, check out You Are Own Gym, NerdFitness, or Convict Conditioning.

Bodybuilding.com has a really great exercise database that you can search based on equipment (or lack thereof).

Other options:

TRX Suspension (home edition). I believe it is about $200.

Using sandbags

Get an Iron Gym Bar. It's about $30 on Amazon and can be used for chin-ups, pull-ups, hanging leg raises and such.
http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Gym-Total-Upper-Workout/dp/B001EJMS6K/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386018197&sr=8-1&keywords=iron+gym+pull+up+bar

Other links for info you might like/need:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/850719-strength-training-the-basics
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/902569-barbell-routines-when-you-only-have-dumbbells
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1091565-lifting-and-running
http://body-improvements.com/2013/08/02/common-mistake-program-hopping-mixed-with-sexy-fever/

Rocky_ZG · December 2013

I started with doing HIIT runs on the treadmill (alternating between different inclines and speeds) but didn't see any major changes in a whole month. Then, I decided to do 30 day shred. Since I've finished 30 day shred, I've been doing BBL, replacing the cardio axe in the schedule with Turbofire's HIIT 30.

Keep in mind - if you can do more than 20-30 seconds of high intensity activity, that means that it is not actually HIIT.

As for other simple but intensive exercises to replace running, I found that doing 100 burpees in as short period as possible is very simple and effective.
Also jumping rope in maximum speed.
After 10 minutes of alternating jump speeds I am ready to drop dead

Much more so than with HIIT sprinting around the 400m track. With sprinting it takes me 15-20 min of intervals (15-20 sec maximum sprint / 2-3 min light jog - fast walk) to get that feeling.
I noticed that people tend to avoid such exercises as they seem more difficult than just doing stationary bike and treadmill.

And as Joy said, you should focus more on strenght. With mostly cardio exercises you not build much muscle and tone your body as you want it to be.

Running vs workout videos

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