Hey strength trainers, do you cardio? - General Survey

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Replies

  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    edited January 2015
    1) Do you do any traditional cardio? Yes I do low-impact cardio for, at the very least, an hour a day - walking about 4-4.5 mph. I also try to get in at least one short run a week, building up to a weekly 5-7 miler by the summer.

    2) If you do not do cardio, why not? N/A - i believe all parts of fitness should be balanced, neither cardio nor strength training is more important, they are both vital to my philosophy on fitness.

    3) If you do cardio, why do you do it and do you like it or just tolerate it? I dont like it. I like the benefits of it, but I dont enjoy it. If I skip it, I miss it - but I dont like it during it. I do it because, without it, im only hurting my potential and my performance.

    4) If you do cardio, what kind do you do and how often do you do it? this is feeling mad repetitive. I walk 3-7 miles @ 4-4.5 mph 5 days a week and 6-10 on weekend days. I also lift weights at 60% max to build muscular endurance, which actually is a cardio session as well. As much as people like to laugh and pretend it is not. You deadlift almost your bodyweight 50 times and tell me if you arent heart racing lung puffing wiped out. I also schedule at least one run a week.

    5) What kind of strength training do you do and how often do you do it? In other words, what is your general program?

    I follow 5/3/1, so that's 4 days a week in the gym, a day for each major lift and corresponding accessories. Im adding in rock climbing on Jan 23.

    Sunday - 6-10 mile walk
    Monday - Deadlift and 3.5+ mile walk.
    Tuesday - OHP and 3.5 mile walk.
    Wednesday - Rest Day - 7 mile walk
    Thursday - Squats Day - 3.5+ Mile walk, Foam Roller
    Friday - Bench Day - no more than 3 miles walking
    Saturday - foam rolling or pilates, run and several miles walking later.

    I live in NYC, I dont have a car, I walk everywhere with a pack on my back and because it happens so consistently for so many years and I have to consider it in my calorie needs, I consider it part of my workout. Walking that much Does make a difference - and i know because when I stop, i start gaining.
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    1) Do you do any traditional cardio? (By this I mean something other than “lift weights quickly.”)

    Nope.....I used to walk 4-6km a day and that was my cardio. now I do Crossfit

    2) If you do not do cardio, why not?

    I don't like it

    3) If you do cardio, why do you do it and do you like it or just tolerate it?

    Still don't like it

    4) If you do cardio, what kind do you do and how often do you do it?

    REally really don't like it

    5) What kind of strength training do you do and how often do you do it? In other words, what is your general program?

    Did 5 x 5, NROLFW and now Crossfit

  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    1) Do you do any traditional cardio? (By this I mean something other than “lift weights quickly.”)

    Yes.


    2) If you do not do cardio, why not?

    N/A


    3) If you do cardio, why do you do it and do you like it or just tolerate it?

    I don't "like" it, but I don't hate it. I do it to help burn off a few more Calories; improve my cardiovascular heatlh; and help keep me from getting winded when strength training.


    4) If you do cardio, what kind do you do and how often do you do it?

    I walk 1.4 miles (that's how long the loop here in the corporate park is) most days at lunch, although I'll probably be using the treadmill now that it's getting cold. In fall, I officiate high school and youth football, so I'm chasing after kids for a couple of hours 2-3 times a week, too. And I'm going to be incorporating 30 minutes or so of treadmill/cycling/rowing each week.


    5) What kind of strength training do you do and how often do you do it? In other words, what is your general program?

    I pick things up and put them down. :p I was doing a variation of 5/3/1, but an injury set me back, so I ended up going real light to focus on form and I'm actually doing StrongLifts again until I stall out.
  • seric2000
    seric2000 Posts: 14 Member
    1. Yes
    2. N/A
    3. I do it because I think it's very important to keep my heart strong (it is another muscle), it is another way to reduce overall body fat, and I like getting sweaty. So I actually really like cardio. :smile:
    4. My number one cardio is running. I LOVE to run. When I first started out, I hated it. But now it's my de-stress time. I run 3 days a week: one day 5min intervals for 3 miles, one day a 20min fast run after strength, and Saturday morning long runs (5-8 miles). When I switch it up, it's usually rollerblading.
    5. Mon/Wed: Legs and Abs. Tue/Thu: Arms/Back. Sun: Full body.
  • carolynmo1969
    carolynmo1969 Posts: 120 Member
    1) Do you do any traditional cardio? (By this I mean something other than “lift weights quickly.”) YES.

    2) If you do not do cardio, why not?

    3) If you do cardio, why do you do it and do you like it or just tolerate it? It makes me feel SO GOOD to get the blood pumping, the sweat flowing, it's mindless for the most part and I consider it "mental floss." It makes my cheeks glow naturally. It gives me MOUNTAINS of patience. I sleep 8 glorious hours a night. Plus, my heart muscle has got to last me longer than shapely delts as far as life goes.

    4) If you do cardio, what kind do you do and how often do you do it? I can afford the time to strength train AND do a minimum of 20 minutes of cardio 5 days a week at an indoor gym. On weekends I walk my dogs briskly for an hour. To avoid getting into a rut on machines I don't use the same machine 2 days in a row. I alternate between Arc Climber, eliptical, treadmill, rower & bike. I downloaded a treadmill workout app promoted by Fit Bottomed Girls and it's a guided treadmill walking or running program (I'm a new runner) in the style of spin classes.

    5) What kind of strength training do you do and how often do you do it? In other words, what is your general program? Alternating between arms & shoulders one day, legs the next day, torso the next (back, chest, shoulders, abs) and repeat.
  • Roxiegirl2008
    Roxiegirl2008 Posts: 756 Member
    1) Do you do any traditional cardio? (By this I mean something other than “lift weights quickly.”) Yes

    2) If you do not do cardio, why not? N/A

    3) If you do cardio, why do you do it and do you like it or just tolerate it? I love it. I need a mix in my workouts. I find my runs are very clearing to my mind. Also, lets face it I love running races because it is all about the bling. :D I am doing my first full marathon in two weeks.

    4) If you do cardio, what kind do you do and how often do you do it? I do Les Mils RPM (spin), run and HIIT workout

    5) What kind of strength training do you do and how often do you do it? In other words, what is your general program? My trainer has me doing weight training and mixes up cross fit and TRX (body weight strength) and I also do a weight class at my gym.
  • BigMech
    BigMech Posts: 472 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    I know that we see a lot of threads asking which is better, lifting weights or cardio, but this isn’t that kind of thread. I am just interested in a general survey of how much cardio the MFPers who strength train do. So whether you do bodyweight training or lift weights purely for strength or for muscle building or what have you, I’m asking:

    1) Do you do any traditional cardio? (By this I mean something other than “lift weights quickly.”)

    2) If you do not do cardio, why not?

    3) If you do cardio, why do you do it and do you like it or just tolerate it?

    4) If you do cardio, what kind do you do and how often do you do it?

    5) What kind of strength training do you do and how often do you do it? In other words, what is your general program?

    1) Yep, I do quite a bit of cardio along with strength training.

    2.) See above :smile:

    3.) I do cardio for the calorie burn, cardiovascular health and for building endurance. I have grown to like cardio, and now a enjoy a good run or bike ride.

    What's the point of being strong if you get winded walking up the stairs, or keel over from a heart attack.

    4.) I run year round, usually 15-20 miles a week in 3-4 runs. I road bike spring to fall in addition to the running, usually 3 times a week for 25 miles each time.

    5) I've designed my own strength training program. I hit the gym 5 days a week on a 3-day split, so I'm hitting each muscle group once every 4 days.

    Day 1 is Upper/Middle Back (Lat Pulldown, Seated Row, Barbell Row), Triceps (Rope extensions, narrow grip bench press, overhead extensions), Power Squat Machine, Hamstring Curls and Quad Extensions.
    Day 2 is Delts (Hammer Strength Overhead Press, Dumbell Raises front and side, reverse pec dec, Overhead Press), Traps (Barbell Shrugs), Barbell Squats and Leg Press.
    Day 3 is Chest (Flat Barbell Bench press, Hammer Strength Incline Press, Dumbbell flyes, Chest Dips), Biceps (Concentration Curls / Rope Curls) and Deadlifts.

    I do 7-10 sets for each exercise including warmup and burnout sets, and pyramid up in weight while reducing the reps.
  • asdowe13
    asdowe13 Posts: 1,951 Member
    1) Do you do any traditional cardio? (By this I mean something other than “lift weights quickly.”) Yes, yes I do

    2) If you do not do cardio, why not? N/A

    3) If you do cardio, why do you do it and do you like it or just tolerate it? I do it because I enjoy it, and it's good for me
    4) If you do cardio, what kind do you do and how often do you do it? Ultimate Frisbee, Cylcing, Hiking, Swimming. 2-4 times per week

    5) What kind of strength training do you do and how often do you do it? In other words, what is your general program? Ice Cream Fitness 5X5 so 3X per week

  • 1) Do you do any traditional cardio? (By this I mean something other than “lift weights quickly.”)
    Yes 4-6 times a week

    2) If you do not do cardio, why not?

    3) If you do cardio, why do you do it and do you like it or just tolerate it?
    I like it, also for heart health

    4) If you do cardio, what kind do you do and how often do you do it?
    I swim once a week, teach aerobics/strength 3 times a week, take a combo strength from someone else once a week and catch a zumba class from time to time.

    5) What kind of strength training do you do and how often do you do it? In other words, what is your general program? I work mostly free weights for myself. I don't like to use machines because its easy to overload and injure yourself without care. I like exercises that use your own body weight like squats and trx to build strength as well.
  • ythannah
    ythannah Posts: 4,371 Member


    1) Do you do any traditional cardio? (By this I mean something other than “lift weights quickly.”) yes

    2) If you do not do cardio, why not?

    3) If you do cardio, why do you do it and do you like it or just tolerate it?I do it because my dr told me to do 20 minutes of cardio a day. It's okay, I'm between like and tolerate. I do it first thing in the AM so it does kinda blow the cobwebs out of my brain

    4) If you do cardio, what kind do you do and how often do you do it? stair machine every morning

    5) What kind of strength training do you do and how often do you do it? In other words, what is your general program?
    Daily. I do an upper/lower split on alternating days, mostly based on the All Pro program.

  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    1) Do you do any traditional cardio? (By this I mean something other than “lift weights quickly.”) Yes, but rarely. I hike and will go for a run here and there and play in a sports league one day/week

    2) If you do not do cardio, why not?
    Dislike of pure cardio, and it takes away from recovery on a cut, and the surplus in a bulk

    3) If you do cardio, why do you do it and do you like it or just tolerate it?
    I like exercise and sports, but not really direct cardio on a machine in he gym

    4) If you do cardio, what kind do you do and how often do you do it?
    Wee # 1 above

    5) What kind of strength training do you do and how often do you do it? In other words, what is your general program?
    Wendler 5/3/1, 3-4 days/week 40-45 minutes/session
  • MMarvelous
    MMarvelous Posts: 1,067 Member

    1) Do you do any traditional cardio? (By this I mean something other than “lift weights quickly.”) Yes - 3 mile walk, Spin and HIIT on Treadmill or Arc Trainer

    2) If you do not do cardio, why not?

    3) If you do cardio, why do you do it and do you like it or just tolerate it? Just to tolerate it and to mix up my workout.

    4) If you do cardio, what kind do you do and how often do you do it? 2-4 times a week depending if I am bulking or not.

    5) What kind of strength training do you do and how often do you do it? In other words, what is your general program? I lift 4-6 times a week depending on the program I am doing. I've done New Rules of Lifting for Women, Jamie Eason's 90 Day Live Fit, etc. - similar programs on Bobybuilding.com or I've gotten from others who lift heavy.
  • mizzcasual
    mizzcasual Posts: 223 Member
    edited January 2015
    1) Yes (not sure if it counts as traditional but it's cardio)

    2)N/A

    3) I do it as another way to burn a lot of body fat.

    4)HIIT/Circuit training (45mins) once a week or every other.

    5)Strength training - squats , deadlifts , trx rows , bear crawls, lunges , glute bridges ,hip thrusts , bird dog thats sort of stuff I do it 3 times a week or sometimes 2 if i've done cardio all full body workouts.
  • EmilyJackCO
    EmilyJackCO Posts: 621 Member
    jemhh wrote: »

    1) Do you do any traditional cardio? (By this I mean something other than “lift weights quickly.”)

    2) If you do not do cardio, why not?

    3) If you do cardio, why do you do it and do you like it or just tolerate it?

    4) If you do cardio, what kind do you do and how often do you do it?

    5) What kind of strength training do you do and how often do you do it? In other words, what is your general program?

    1) Yes. Tues/Thurs, I do an hour and change of cardio walking/jogging on the treadmill before my training session with my PT.

    3) I do it because I have severe anxiety and asthma issues, and it helps control both of them. For the first time in my adult life, they are both under control. I still have to take medication, but the attacks themselves are gone for now. I love it, I really do... it's as important to me as my lifting and eating.

    4) I walk and jog, I'm trying to gain speed, but I'm not very good yet. I've only been running for about a year, and for the first time in my life at 41. Before the holidays, I was up to 5.3mph for 3 miles... but then I got the flu and lost training time, and I'm back down on that, but it's ok.

    5) I do upper body / lower body splits. 30 minutes with my PT on Tues/Thurs, and 90 on Sat/Sun on my own. I mostly do Stronglifts, plus whatever my trainer throws at me. Which, I swear Tuesday, was Crossfit. >.<
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    I know that we see a lot of threads asking which is better, lifting weights or cardio, but this isn’t that kind of thread. I am just interested in a general survey of how much cardio the MFPers who strength train do. So whether you do bodyweight training or lift weights purely for strength or for muscle building or what have you, I’m asking:

    1) Do you do any traditional cardio? (By this I mean something other than “lift weights quickly.”) Um...only if walking quickly counts as cardio. On occasion, I do shadow boxing, but it hasn't been in my routine as of late.

    2) If you do not do cardio, why not? I just hate being out of breath. I never get the "runner's high" or anything comparable to that while doing cardio either.

    3) If you do cardio, why do you do it and do you like it or just tolerate it? I go on my walks so I can eat more. Sure, I like it fine. Gets me out of the house.

    4) If you do cardio, what kind do you do and how often do you do it? Just the walking, and usually during lunchtime. The boxing I do if I've had a rough day and need to release some negative energy.

    5) What kind of strength training do you do and how often do you do it? In other words, what is your general program? I kind of do my own program now. I'm pregnant, so I'm kind of limited on what I can do. I started out doing Stronglifts, and then once I plateaued on my strength gains, I switched to 5/3/1. Both programs were good.

  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    The idea that "strength trainers" would be seen as a separate category of exerciser is patently absurd.
  • NextPage
    NextPage Posts: 609 Member
    1) Do you do any traditional cardio? (By this I mean something other than “lift weights quickly.”) Yes

    2) If you do not do cardio, why not? N/A

    3) If you do cardio, why do you do it and do you like it or just tolerate it? I really enjoy (most days anyway) it and to keep my heart and lungs healthy.

    4) If you do cardio, what kind do you do and how often do you do it? Mainly spinning (2-3 times per week) and ellipitical (about 20 mins on weight lifting days). Kayaking and hiking in the summer.


    5) What kind of strength training do you do and how often do you do it? In other words, what is your general program? 2 times a week with a trainer, varies with frequent exercises squats, lunges, rows, deadlifts, glute thrusts, push ups, dips and bench press. Usual a 3rd work out on my own.
  • jdhcm2006
    jdhcm2006 Posts: 2,254 Member
    Azdak wrote: »
    The idea that "strength trainers" would be seen as a separate category of exerciser is patently absurd.

    It's not that strength trainers are a separate category, it's the fact that there is a big debate about which is better. Some people who strength train don't believe in doing cardio. Some do. All she's doing is seeing which category people fall in.
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    jemhh wrote: »

    1) Do you do any traditional cardio? (By this I mean something other than “lift weights quickly.”)

    2) If you do not do cardio, why not?

    3) If you do cardio, why do you do it and do you like it or just tolerate it?

    4) If you do cardio, what kind do you do and how often do you do it?

    5) What kind of strength training do you do and how often do you do it? In other words, what is your general program?

    1) Not right now, sometimes the odd walk here and there. I also do power yoga but I don't really consider that traditional cardio

    2) I am bulking and only have one more month before I cut, really want it to count. My cal intake was getting bothersome

    3) I actually like cardio, it feels great, it's fun

    4) Normally I was doing 15-30 min of HIIT once per week

    5) Strong Curves 4x per week, yoga 1-2x week
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    edited January 2015
    Azdak wrote: »
    The idea that "strength trainers" would be seen as a separate category of exerciser is patently absurd.

    not when you consider the demographics of people that all join around this time of year. Almost all fresh newbies think that cardio = exercise / weight loss and lifting weights = bodybuilding competition.

    So quite often, they dont realize that the optimum is some kind of balance of the two, not one or the other.

    And even then, some people dont do any cardio other than lifting weights for muscular endurance.

    It's not absurd, it's just the way the chips fell.

    I consider marathoners a specific category.

    And triathletes.

    And dancers.

    And body builders.

    because you cant give blanket exercise advice to everyone.
  • stephxo1
    stephxo1 Posts: 191 Member
    I'm one of the few who lifts weights but does no cardio. At the moment I am trying to gain some weight and build muscle after losing around 30lbs. My worry with cardio is that instead of bulking a bit I'd lose even more weight and start losing some of my well earned muscle mass. Once I get my weight up a bit I'd definately incorporate it back in again using the spin bike and stepper but for now it's weights only for me. I weight train 5 days a week at the mo and mix it up by focusing on certain body parts every day including 2 leg days to attempt to build bigger glutes. I know I should work on my cardiovascular health too but I still get sweaty and out of breath lifting heavy weights and for now, that's good enough for me with my goals.
  • goddessofawesome
    goddessofawesome Posts: 563 Member
    edited January 2015
    1) Do you do any traditional cardio? (By this I mean something other than “lift weights quickly.”)

    I am actually just getting back into cardio.

    2) If you do not do cardio, why not?

    3) If you do cardio, why do you do it and do you like it or just tolerate it?

    I actually like cardio. Seriously. I run and I bike. It's better (and I'm more apt to do it) when I'm training for something.

    4) If you do cardio, what kind do you do and how often do you do it?

    I used to run (have a foot issue; got it fixed with a pad; need a new pad for it) and cycle. Right now I'm doing neither (getting back into it) but I will start off on the trainer and when I get a new foot/toe pad I'm going to get back to running. Looking to do cardio every other day for now. In March I'll be training for a duathalon so the cardio amounts will vary and increase as the training goes on.

    5) What kind of strength training do you do and how often do you do it? In other words, what is your general program?

    5x a week. I work one muscle group per day alternating abs and legs (ex this week: Monday: Chest/abs/DDP Yoga; Tuesday: Back/Legs/DDP Yoga; Wed: rest [typically I don't take rest days but I was SORE!] Thurs: Shoulders/Abs/DDP Yoga; Friday: Tri's/Legs/DDP Yoga; Sat (or Sun): Cardio; Mon: Bi's/Abs/DDP Yoga -- repeat). I do different exercises/use different equipment each time. I also do DDP yoga in the afternoon.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Azdak wrote: »
    The idea that "strength trainers" would be seen as a separate category of exerciser is patently absurd.

    no it's not
    @yoovie‌ nailed it.

    when people think "exercise" they think go for a walk- or run-or do a cardio DVD.
    So quite often, they dont realize that the optimum is some kind of balance of the two, not one or the other.
    dear lord this.

    so much this.

    And any well rounded fitness program will include an element of both- but the more specialized/localized you get- the further you deviate off the path of "well rounded" because ultimately you are either a jack of all trades and master of none- or you are the master of one- jack of none.
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    Do you do any traditional cardio? (By this I mean something other than “lift weights quickly.”)

    1-2x a week, tops

    If you do cardio, why do you do it and do you like it or just tolerate it?

    I instruct a Spin Class every week because I enjoy it. Otherwise, cardio is strictly for cardio-respiratory health.

    If you do cardio, what kind do you do and how often do you do it?

    Spinning, Bike rides, boxing, jump rope, sand bag carries, sled pulls

    What kind of strength training do you do and how often do you do it? In other words, what is your general program?

    I do an Upper/Lower Split 5x a week - combo of compound/barbell lifts and isolation work.

  • shor0814
    shor0814 Posts: 559 Member
    jemhh wrote: »

    1) Do you do any traditional cardio? (By this I mean something other than “lift weights quickly.”)
    I walk with mydog on the weekends and might run now andthen if the dog will cooperate and not get distracted. I run the stairs at work of my legs feel up to it after my workout.
    2) If you do not do cardio, why not?
    if it's boring and I find my lifting suffers when I do cardio. I want to maximize strength and muscle so I focus on lifting. When I did focus on cardio I never felt like I accomplished anything except eating more.

    3) If you do cardio, why do you do it and do you like it or just tolerate it?
    When I do it I just tolerate it.

    4) If you do cardio, what kind do you do and how often do you do it?

    5) What kind of strength training do you do and how often do you do it? In other words, what is your general program?

    5/3/1 Boring But Big 4x/week

  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    1) Do you do any traditional cardio? (By this I mean something other than “lift weights quickly.”)

    Yes

    2) If you do not do cardio, why not?

    3) If you do cardio, why do you do it and do you like it or just tolerate it?
    I do it to add some padding to my deficit, I'm set to lose .5 a week and the number MFP gives me is awfully close to the TDEE method. I pretty much hate cardio.

    4) If you do cardio, what kind do you do and how often do you do it?
    I'm proud of myself if I do ANYTHING, even if it's riding on the bike at a steady state. I try to do interval training though: stationary bike, step mill, and once a month on the tread mill.

    5) What kind of strength training do you do and how often do you do it? In other words, what is your general program?
    I am doing the Wendler 5/3/1 4 day split.
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