A question about cardio

FoodFitnessTravel · April 2014

So what do you think about cardio? I honestly don't enjoy it, so i push myself through 20 minutes of high intensity cardio before doing my weight training. Can't even think of being on those machines for more than that. I am doing it in the first place because it feels more like i've worked out after i'm done, because i get sweaty and i almost never do with just weight training.

It's my least favourite part about losing weight and being fit. I could honestly do 2 hours of weight training if i don't do cardio.

So is it actually good for losing fat and building muscle, being in a better shape and losing weight faster? I know that calorie deficit creates weight loss and that weight training help us shape our body. When i was just dieting i was skinny fat but now i definitely built some muscle mass on my body. Oh and i work out only 3 times a week so i don't "overdo" anything.

How much cardio do you do? And, pardon me for my ignorance, what exactly is it good for? Creating a bigger deficit or does it help your muscles grow?

JoRocka · April 2014

cardio is good for your cardiovascular system- you know- heart and lungs to name a few.

I don't particularly care for it- but it is important to not neglect your heart- so doing SOME form of heart pumping activity is worth while.

I personally don't do any while I'm trying to put on weight- but when I'm cutting- I definitely include cardio. Jump rope- running- stair master- whatever. I usually never do more than 45 minutes- typically it's 20-30 but occasionaly if I'm feeling saucy I'll do more. But it's not often.

I go for steady state- rather than I need to get my heart rate through the roof- so I watch a movie- and settle in and just do the thing. I'm working- but I'm not over exerted.

I would also not recommend doing your cardio pre weight training unless you are specifically training for an endurance event where it's a priority.

FoodFitnessTravel · April 2014

I would also not recommend doing your cardio pre weight training unless you are specifically training for an endurance event where it's a priority.

thank you for your answer. but why shouldn't i do cardio before weight training? isn't it a good warm up?

JoRocka · April 2014

a warm up is not cardio.

A warm up is a warm up- followed by some stretching.

A warm up is not a work out.

The same reason why you do all your big lifts before all your accessory lifts- you don't want to be burnt by the time you are trying to lift big compound lifts.
You don't want to be already fatigued and tired from a cardio session before you go lift. You want maximum energy for your lifts to get the most out of them.

VinceDelmonte · April 2014

I would always recommend doing your cardio at the end of your workout for 20-30 depending your fitness level. Here is a sample workout on the Treadmill

2 minutes at 10 kmph

1 minute recovery at 6.5

repeat 10 times

Vince

No_Finish_Line · April 2014

I would also not recommend doing your cardio pre weight training unless you are specifically training for an endurance event where it's a priority.

serriously? is this how i have to find out you have a new profile? lol

They actually used to say to do your weight training before your cardio as it would deplete your glycogen stores and supposedly make you burn body fat faster. not sure if thats true. but if the goal is to lose weight, i wouldn't worry too much about doing your absolute best weights on your lifts.

I used to serriously despise cardio. I think i've grown to like it because of the challenge. with resistance there is a definet end point, a weight or a number of reps that you simply can't exceed no matter how much your try to 'mind over matter' it. cardio can be different story.

but i perfer the HIIT or sprinting type cardio. IMO you can do far more interesting things. its still a mental game, but a qualitatively different one then say running miles upon miles.

they only cardio i can't stand and refuse to ever do again ar the machines. can't do it, too boring.

JenMc14 · April 2014

A light jog or some walking is a warm up. Lower weights, higher reps of the lift you're going to do is a warm up. 20 minutes of full bore cardio is a workout. If you want to concentrate on your lifting, definitely do it first so you're muscles aren't fatigued. I prefer a lifting/cardio split. Currently I lift three days a week and do yoga and/or a run two. If I feel like I have time and energy left after my lifting, I do a quick 10 minute HIIT from Fitnessblender.com.

That being said, cardio is good for your heart/lungs as previously stated. It is not necessary for fat loss, so if you don't like it, cut back.

BlueBombers · April 2014

I'm not a huge fan of cardio when it comes to machines but I do it as the winters where I live are horrible.

Now that the warmer weather is FINALLY coming, I plan to do most of my cardio outdoors. This includes walking / running and bike riding.

I do about 20-25 minutes on the treadmill before I lift (mix of walking on incline and running). I also go for walks on my coffee breaks at work as I sit at a desk all day.

FoodFitnessTravel · April 2014

thanks everyone for your replies!! i am probably gonna stop doing it, i feel like i would go to the gym more than 3 times per week if there wasn't for cardio.
And i'm sorry, i would love to be able to add all of my old mfp friends but i deleted my old profile

i'll search through forums

so a 20 minute cardio (after which i'm usually super tired and sometimes dizzy but it goes away in 2 minutes) can be a workout for itself?

No_Finish_Line · April 2014

sure, i mean it all depends on your goals really.

if your getting ready for a 5k and you run at the fastest pace you can sustain for 20 min thats going to be a hell of a workout.

if you squeeze as much weight training as you can into 20 minutes its going to pretty intense, potentially promote the gaining or losing of mass depending on how your eating, but would not be ideal for strength.

if the goal is to maximize fat loss or improve endurance then a longer workout would probably be better

FoodFitnessTravel · April 2014

maximise fat loss is my only goal

JoRocka · April 2014

but i perfer the HIIT or sprinting type cardio. IMO you can do far more interesting things. its still a mental game, but a qualitatively different one then say running miles upon miles.

indeedey.

I much prefer doing sprints to long term running. But I'll do what I feel like or where the wind blows.

I will climb on the stair master- that *kitten* kicks your *kitten* everywhere. No lie. But I throw on my netflix and just do the thing. i refuse to sit up there with nothing but music on. I just can't.

I also like jump rope- and combining jump rope with body weight stuff on a HIIT cycle- good *kitten* kicking workout in 20 minutes.

No_Finish_Line · April 2014

jump rope is freaking awesome, the most fun one can have during cardio in my opinion lol.

once you pick up a trick or two it is honestly fun, and believe it or not, the standard two footed jump takes some what more energy to sustain then some of the fancier looking stuff.

No_Finish_Line · April 2014

maximise fat loss is my only goal

I'm tempted to say 'where's it going to come from' lol, but if thats your goal i support you.

in that event, your going to want to maximise calories burned so you'd probably want to keep up the cardio and stick with longer then 20 min workout

HOWEVER! Assuming that pic is what you look like right now, i honestly feel that your appreance goals will be much better served by some dedicated resistance training, eat at or slightly above maintenance and do your cardio on the side.

A question about cardio

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