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What cardio do you do?

mdivamuffin
mdivamuffin Posts: 164 Member
in Social Groups
Hi Ladies,

I'm just wondering what cardio you do (if any) along with your strength programme.

I'm in my second week of SL 5X5 and usually do 20-25 mins on elliptical 2/3 times a week on lifting days. 10 mins as a warm up and then 15 hiit after lifting. I'm only starting so not sure if this is a good way to be doing it. Also I HATE the elliptical and all the gym cardio machines, I never look forward to doing it, whereas I look forward to the weights and challenging myself adding weight on. Are the cardio machines a necessary evil?

What do other people do? Have you found a system that works for you? I'm trying to lose fat and build lean muscle.

Thanks
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Replies

  • starbucksbuzz
    starbucksbuzz Posts: 466 Member
    I'm still searching for cardio nirvana. I like using a heavyweight bag, I would *really* like being able to do a kickboxing class a few times a week - but unfortunately cost for that stuff adds up quickly. When I don't want to think about it too much I just hop on a cardio machine, but if I have the motivation I sometimes will add in an insanity workout to shake things up a little. Also sometimes I split my cardio time between a few different machines so I don't get bored as quickly. (row for 10min, do 10min of sprints on treadmill and 10min on an elliptical / arc trainer)
  • SuperCrsa
    SuperCrsa Posts: 790 Member
    Cardio is not at all evil, its good for the heart.

    I just don't like it as much as weight training. lol. If I do do any cardio its a HIIT workout for 10 minutes just to warm up.
    Otherwise Taebo or Zumba :smile: I try and make it fun. But not for very long intensity, usually about 20 minutes, MAYBE twice a week. Most often just once if at all lol.

    You don't need to get any cardio in if you dont want to.
    I find weight training is adequate for me :smile:
  • chani8
    chani8 Posts: 946 Member
    I walk, hike, and climb stairs. I do it to aid my digestion, burn excess carbs after big meals, for heart health, and because it's enjoyable and/or a challenge.

    Find something to do that you enjoy!
  • UpperBodyLowerBody
    UpperBodyLowerBody Posts: 44 Member
    sprints
  • FromHereOnOut
    FromHereOnOut Posts: 3,237 Member
    I really love running. Currently I just run to the gym (~14min) and after my workout, I run back (~14min). If I don't go to the gym, I'll still usually run about 25-35min. Once per week I run longer, currently about 50min, but I'm upping it by about 5min every week (adding about 1/2mile each week...yeah, I'm slow)--working towards 10mi and hopefully 13mi eventually. All my running is city running, which I love because it isn't boring. I don't tolerate tracks or treadmills very well.
  • ukgirly01
    ukgirly01 Posts: 523 Member
    Hiit training at least once a week bit of running intervals, get out on my bike a bit too
  • birdiecs
    birdiecs Posts: 237 Member
    Oh I hate hate hate cardio, but secretly fear dropping dead of a heart attack now that I'm an oldster lol

    I run about 20-30 min 2x a week, should be 3x but never seem to get that one in. The weather here in AZ this time of year is perfect, so it doesnt feel to much like torture. I don't do cardio machines, I'm not a hamster damn it!
  • TheGymGypsy
    TheGymGypsy Posts: 1,023 Member
    I seem to be the minority here, I LOVE cardio and hate lifting haha. I run 20-25ish miles a week including some hill and sprint intervals on top of lifting 2-3 times a week.
  • MissPeppers
    MissPeppers Posts: 302 Member
    I don't like cardio, max for me is 15 minute interval training on a stair climber or some ellipticalthingy. But I do get my pulse up when I do a bunch of low-weight oly lifts for example.
  • Jacqson84
    Jacqson84 Posts: 189 Member
    Step aerobics! Not a fan of cardio but an hour of high impact step aerobics is oodles of fun!
  • watermelonsugar_
    watermelonsugar_ Posts: 45
    Sprints and jump rope are my favourite.

    I'm also currently (sort-of) training for a 10KM, but I hate long distance running.

    Tabata workouts are also quick and fun!
  • traceyjj
    traceyjj Posts: 406 Member
    Normally I hate gym cardio. My trainer has given me something he calls a triple decker. Row 200m, then 20 kettlebell swings, 200m row, 20 swings and 200 row. Each week/time you completed it successfully add 50m and 5 swings. I am "enjoying" that, as it combines cardio with light weights, and you arent on the machine long enough to get bored :)

    Most of my cardio is taken up by walking though. My gym is almost 2 miles from home, and I usually walk fast to get there (very fast if its raining/cold/windy)
  • MrsG31
    MrsG31 Posts: 364 Member
    Zumba! Or any other dance-based class- I love it all.

    I also don't mind the eliptical, I used to have one at home and could watch a 1 hour TV show while just trucking away. I don't really like running, but I do jump on a treadmill once in awhile.

    When I was a teenager, I rode my bike everywhere and I really miss that. I am hoping that one day, when the kids are older and we can all go together, that we will live in a bike-friendly neighborhood and can get back into that.
  • FromHereOnOut
    FromHereOnOut Posts: 3,237 Member
    When I was a teenager, I rode my bike everywhere and I really miss that. I am hoping that one day, when the kids are older and we can all go together, that we will live in a bike-friendly neighborhood and can get back into that.

    Me too! I was free to ride my bik all over town from like idk 9yo til I got a car at 16, and then picked it back up again in College. I really miss that now too.


    (Also, She-Ra?! :glasses: )
  • jasonsdragon
    jasonsdragon Posts: 21 Member
    Walk, Skate, Rake yard, Ride my horses, Bike on and off road swim, :happy:
  • dany_m
    dany_m Posts: 74 Member
    I cycle to work that's about 10-15min one way. I also cycle to the gym and back. Some evenings I do a 20-25 min kickboxing routine at home.

    If you hate cardio machines you could always do a barbell routine which is more of a cardio routine than strength training.
  • MrsG31
    MrsG31 Posts: 364 Member

    (Also, She-Ra?! :glasses: )


    I was a huge She-Ra fan as a kid. The day I decided to use it as my profile pic I was trying to psych myself up for an upcoming session at the gym with a trainer - needed some tough, girl-power inspiration!
  • AntnNicsMom
    AntnNicsMom Posts: 29 Member
    I think I love cardio and lifting equally. lol I'm a fan of the arc trainer and elliptical.
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    I usually do cardio 1x or 2x/week. In the summer I love to bike ride. In the winter months it's usually the Spin bike, Boxing, or Jump Roping
  • Booksandbeaches
    Booksandbeaches Posts: 1,791 Member
    Jogging, really brisk walking, elliptical machine, recumbent bike. I'm a fan of both lifting and cardio.
  • ajancheta
    ajancheta Posts: 1
    I love doing either jumping jacks or jump rope between sets and if its a few sets, I go longer on the jj/jr to make out to about 15 mins a day. Otherwise running is nice and biking but I hardly have time so I like to fit cardio in so I dont notice it :)
  • MissB46
    MissB46 Posts: 143 Member
    bit of running on the treadmill (can only manage 25 minutes before the boredom sets in) sometimes a bit on the rowing machine but not done that ages.

    HIIT training, ususally two Les Mills Grit Classes per week and 2 Kettlebell Classes per week....
  • girlie100
    girlie100 Posts: 646 Member
    play football (soccer)
    volume box jumps
    sled drags / prowler push
    sprints
    jump rope
  • soozey1
    soozey1 Posts: 102 Member
    I have ran on the treadmill for years and now I run around a lake by my home and find it a lot tougher, the sweat is pouring off me when I come home. Love it, working up to a 5k pb. Also Zumba is just great to mix up your exercise regime. A good variety is the key .
  • SugaryLynx
    SugaryLynx Posts: 2,640 Member
    Just Dance 2014! I love running too, but that's been limited thanks to winter. Volleyball. Love weightlifting so much more than all those things though :)
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    mainly running but also swimming, versaclimber and rowing
  • soozey1
    soozey1 Posts: 102 Member
    Running and body combat classes.
  • ars1300
    ars1300 Posts: 159 Member
    Yes I just feel better in general with cardio incorporated with my weight training regime. I love variety! I try and change it up all the time, spin bike, treadmill, elliptical, rowing machine, tabata, hiit. Hitt or tabata workouts I create my own -the possiblities can be endless with any variety of exercises.
  • Cockney365
    Cockney365 Posts: 52 Member
    I play netball once or twice a week depending on whether we have a match or not. I lift too, an adaptation of SL 5x5 and 36 minutes of cardio (12 minutes each on treadmill, XT and step machine) each gym session. 12-15 minutes is about my maximum before I get bored of that machine so I like to switch it up. I also do body pump and tabata once or twice a week so I hope I am getting enough different types of exercise in to keep me overall pretty healthy!
  • DStroyNKonker
    DStroyNKonker Posts: 19 Member
    I joined a team sport... ROLLER DERBY! I am held accountable to a team of women who keep me motivated to stay fit. It's an amazing workout and great stress reliever!

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