Is cardio bad for you?

13

Replies

  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    grimmeanor wrote: »
    Cardio burns a lot of fat, it can not be blamed for making one fat.

    Some people will say that doing only cardio will make you "skinny fat". I think that's just a way of saying "lean but not ripped".
    Cardio (like any other physical activity like housework) burns calories. Once glycogen stores are depleted, then fat stores are uses as energy. But it does take quite a lot of effort to burn off glycogen stores. We burn off most of our fat at rest. In fact sleeping for 8 hours will easily burn more fat than doing 1 hour of cardio.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

    IIRC, it takes 1 hour of intense aerobic carbio activity to deplete your glycogen stores to the point where your performance will begin to suffer.
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    grimmeanor wrote: »
    It is!

    Fitness is a measure of physical ability!

    To get to the level of fitness achieved by endurance athletes, must train and push your body to levels that are adverse to your health and potentially reduce your life span.

    I'm not saying people shouldn't run marathons or take part in triathlon's (each to their own) but studies have proven that training and pushing your body to attain that level of fitness is detrimental to your health.

    That's all I was saying - health and fitness, at that level, are two different things.

    Also I think your google might be broken!!!!

    I typed:
    Are endurance Athletes hea....

    one of the first things was:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletic_heart_syndrome
    Aha. OK, I was not familiar with that heart syndrome, which seems to affect many kinds of athletes. Although one might be able to conclude that endurance athletes, with the length of time they exercise, would be most susceptible. Seems reasonable.

    So I figured it can't be too hard to find info to support that which wasn't in a sports/fitness site, or one of the commonly debunked studies tossed out by some of the common cardio haters. The NIH fits that bill, but doesn't seem to match that line of reasoning though.

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8450727

    The men on my mothers side of the family have a history of heart issues. The oldest one (was one of the younger actually) is a life long marathon runner. Granted, that is n=5, but still...

    My doctor hasn't warned me about distance running. He was thrilled actually.

    It is good food for thought though. If someone can prove it, then it would be worth considering. Clearly this hasn't been proven though, I have a really good doctor (in my opinion). He is up on things for sure.

    But ... wikipedia ....

    I'm not anti cardio - I was just pointing out chronic cardio can be bad for your health.

    Doesn't mean people shouldn't do it. I was just not being blind to it - there's a common misconception that more is good (everything in moderation).

    http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/118/8/800.abstract?ijkey=678b3f685d0f4ac69f65328d5f174ec5dd8a744c&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha

    Too much can be bad:

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19633305
    http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/261531.php
    http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/46/Suppl_1/i37.full#ref-22
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21200345
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16941810








    So after wiki, you turn to a review of discharge records and a study that admits its findings need confirmation ... so much for depending on the scientific method.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    I have been diagnosed with OCD (Obsessive Cardio Disorder) and have 2 months to live.

    It seems that with OCD you also burn so much fat when you sleep you start to disappear!
  • tennisdude2004
    tennisdude2004 Posts: 5,609 Member
    edited March 2015
    grimmeanor wrote: »
    It is!

    Fitness is a measure of physical ability!

    To get to the level of fitness achieved by endurance athletes, must train and push your body to levels that are adverse to your health and potentially reduce your life span.

    I'm not saying people shouldn't run marathons or take part in triathlon's (each to their own) but studies have proven that training and pushing your body to attain that level of fitness is detrimental to your health.

    That's all I was saying - health and fitness, at that level, are two different things.

    Also I think your google might be broken!!!!

    I typed:
    Are endurance Athletes hea....

    one of the first things was:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletic_heart_syndrome
    Aha. OK, I was not familiar with that heart syndrome, which seems to affect many kinds of athletes. Although one might be able to conclude that endurance athletes, with the length of time they exercise, would be most susceptible. Seems reasonable.

    So I figured it can't be too hard to find info to support that which wasn't in a sports/fitness site, or one of the commonly debunked studies tossed out by some of the common cardio haters. The NIH fits that bill, but doesn't seem to match that line of reasoning though.

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8450727

    The men on my mothers side of the family have a history of heart issues. The oldest one (was one of the younger actually) is a life long marathon runner. Granted, that is n=5, but still...

    My doctor hasn't warned me about distance running. He was thrilled actually.

    It is good food for thought though. If someone can prove it, then it would be worth considering. Clearly this hasn't been proven though, I have a really good doctor (in my opinion). He is up on things for sure.

    But ... wikipedia ....

    I'm not anti cardio - I was just pointing out chronic cardio can be bad for your health.

    Doesn't mean people shouldn't do it. I was just not being blind to it - there's a common misconception that more is good (everything in moderation).

    http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/118/8/800.abstract?ijkey=678b3f685d0f4ac69f65328d5f174ec5dd8a744c&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha

    Too much can be bad:

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19633305
    http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/261531.php
    http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/46/Suppl_1/i37.full#ref-22
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21200345
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16941810








    So after wiki, you turn to a review of discharge records and a study that admits its findings need confirmation ... so much for depending on the scientific method.

    Not looking to convince you Brian. Just making comment.

    You carry on, I'm sure everything will turn out great.

    Oh and for the record, I didn't turn to wiki - if you read my earlier comment, I just said it was the first thing that came up on a google search, after a previous poster said they couldn't find anything!


  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    grimmeanor wrote: »
    It is!

    Fitness is a measure of physical ability!

    To get to the level of fitness achieved by endurance athletes, must train and push your body to levels that are adverse to your health and potentially reduce your life span.

    I'm not saying people shouldn't run marathons or take part in triathlon's (each to their own) but studies have proven that training and pushing your body to attain that level of fitness is detrimental to your health.

    That's all I was saying - health and fitness, at that level, are two different things.

    Also I think your google might be broken!!!!

    I typed:
    Are endurance Athletes hea....

    one of the first things was:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletic_heart_syndrome
    Aha. OK, I was not familiar with that heart syndrome, which seems to affect many kinds of athletes. Although one might be able to conclude that endurance athletes, with the length of time they exercise, would be most susceptible. Seems reasonable.

    So I figured it can't be too hard to find info to support that which wasn't in a sports/fitness site, or one of the commonly debunked studies tossed out by some of the common cardio haters. The NIH fits that bill, but doesn't seem to match that line of reasoning though.

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8450727

    The men on my mothers side of the family have a history of heart issues. The oldest one (was one of the younger actually) is a life long marathon runner. Granted, that is n=5, but still...

    My doctor hasn't warned me about distance running. He was thrilled actually.

    It is good food for thought though. If someone can prove it, then it would be worth considering. Clearly this hasn't been proven though, I have a really good doctor (in my opinion). He is up on things for sure.

    But ... wikipedia ....

    I'm not anti cardio - I was just pointing out chronic cardio can be bad for your health.

    Doesn't mean people shouldn't do it. I was just not being blind to it - there's a common misconception that more is good (everything in moderation).

    http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/118/8/800.abstract?ijkey=678b3f685d0f4ac69f65328d5f174ec5dd8a744c&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha

    Too much can be bad:

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19633305
    http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/261531.php
    http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/46/Suppl_1/i37.full#ref-22
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21200345
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16941810








    So after wiki, you turn to a review of discharge records and a study that admits its findings need confirmation ... so much for depending on the scientific method.

    Not looking to convince you Brian. Just making comment.

    You carry on, I'm sure everything will turn out great.

    Oh and for the record, I didn't turn to wiki - if you read my earlier comment, I just said it was the first thing that came up on a google search, after a previous poster said they couldn't find anything!


    You convinced me of something the moment you cited wikipedia ... a place you didn't turn to but cut and pasted a link to. You've reinforced the previously formed conviction.
  • dtodd62
    dtodd62 Posts: 6 Member
    Maybe just a coincide but after a great week of cardio (4x) and keeping calories below goal (deficit everyday) I am now 3 lbs heavier than last Sunday. This is why in the past I have given up. How do you run calorie deficit 5 days straight and gain 3 lbs???
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    dtodd62 wrote: »
    Maybe just a coincide but after a great week of cardio (4x) and keeping calories below goal (deficit everyday) I am now 3 lbs heavier than last Sunday. This is why in the past I have given up. How do you run calorie deficit 5 days straight and gain 3 lbs???

    Seriously? Have you ever heard of water retention? You gain and lose water weight depending on how you ate (sodium and carbs), your workouts (muscle wear causes them to retain fluids for repair) and basic body fluctuations (hydration levels). If you give up after one week based on a 3 pound weight fluctuation, you are just looking for an excuse.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    To get to the level of fitness achieved by endurance athletes, must train and push your body to levels that are adverse to your health and potentially reduce your life span.

    This is true of most sports, "endurance" or otherwise. Elite athletes in most disciplines are swapping physical issues in the future for glory now.


  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    dtodd62 wrote: »
    Maybe just a coincide but after a great week of cardio (4x) and keeping calories below goal (deficit everyday) I am now 3 lbs heavier than last Sunday. This is why in the past I have given up. How do you run calorie deficit 5 days straight and gain 3 lbs???

    Open your diary, and perhaps we can help.
  • Are you thinking it boosts cortisol levels and creating excess belly fat that way?
    Cardio is good for the metabolism and banishing unwanted fat. Sleep and proper nutrition should work in tandem with cardio to benefit fully.
  • bulk_n_cut
    bulk_n_cut Posts: 389 Member
    dtodd62 wrote: »
    I read that cardio will make me fat...what's the deal with the cardio making you fat business?

    sau2hjb1mwrb.jpg

    disregard what you read, unless that articled defined high-intensity interval training as eating cake vigorously, then slowly, then vigorously again
    538.jpg 11.3K
  • dtodd62
    dtodd62 Posts: 6 Member
    I'm not quitting, just surprising, that's all
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    dtodd62 wrote: »
    Maybe just a coincide but after a great week of cardio (4x) and keeping calories below goal (deficit everyday) I am now 3 lbs heavier than last Sunday. This is why in the past I have given up. How do you run calorie deficit 5 days straight and gain 3 lbs???

    With no clue about how accurate your logging is (both intake and burn) and the fact that weight is not static there is no way for anyone to ascertain if your gain is from inaccurate logging or merely water retention as part of normal bodily functions.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    edited March 2015
    dtodd62 wrote: »
    I'm not quitting, just surprising, that's all
    Maybe you should learn more about weight loss and gains.

    Do you now believe cardio is bad for you?

    Perhaps you could have written too much cardio is bad for you, but then too much of anything is not a good thing,

    [Too much] food is bad for you.
    [Too much] lifting is bad for you

    Nobody would have batted an euelid, as it is the statement is misleading to say the least.
  • bencze1
    bencze1 Posts: 30 Member
    edited March 2015
    It is bad for me, that is a proven fact. I ran too much too soon (couch to 10k in 1.5 month) and my ankle started to hurt, had to take 2 weeks off, now it is still not a 100%, recovering nicely though.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    edited March 2015
    bencze1 wrote: »
    It is bad for me, that is a proven fact. I ran too much too soon (couch to 10k in 1.5 month) and my ankle started to hurt, had to take 2 weeks off.

    That's like saying its gravity's fault that someone broke their ankles jumping out of a second story window.

    The problem isn't the cardio, it's your fitness plan. SLOW DOWN.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    or food is bad for you because you got food poisoning.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    dtodd62 wrote: »
    I'm not quitting, just surprising, that's all

    It's not surprising! It's completely wrong, it's about the dumbest article I've seen. Do not take any credence from it at all. The only reason I could think lays behind the article is to dupe the gullible into personal training sessions where you will not doubt be given a miraculous HIIT routine designed by the author (but most likely not HIIT at all.....)

    I've just come back from a 4 hour cycle - muscles not dropped off yet, not got fatter. Not going to get fatter!
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    bencze1 wrote: »
    It is bad for me, that is a proven fact. I ran too much too soon (couch to 10k in 1.5 month) and my ankle started to hurt, had to take 2 weeks off, now it is still not a 100%, recovering nicely though.

    So you completely ignored the fact that a C210K plan is 16 weeks long, not 6 weeks...

    That's operator error///
  • Katerina9408
    Katerina9408 Posts: 276 Member
    edited March 2015
    zamphir66 wrote: »
    dtodd62 wrote: »
    Hi all, been logging in for almost 4 weeks straight, let myself go a bit (about +15 lbs). Eating much better lately and doing intense 45-60 minute cardio sessions 4-5x/week to start getting some pounds off (-7 lbs so far). So today I read that cardio will make me fat, which is not good if true. I plan on working weights into my routine starting this weekend, but what's the deal with the cardio making you fat business?

    It's true. Ever watch a marathon or a competitive cycling event? Nothing but obese people out there.

    /s
    Um...what ? :D I run...am I fat or obese ? :D Also I know a lot of very active runners and belive me they are quite fit :P (btw I ran 12 km today..... I am def obese (45 kg, 161 sm) and my muscles are def breaking down ( I ran 5km for 24:28 and the other 7 for 38 min)
  • Katerina9408
    Katerina9408 Posts: 276 Member
    techgal128 wrote: »
    be7.jpg

    haha good one :D
  • Katerina9408
    Katerina9408 Posts: 276 Member
    mccindy72 wrote: »
    csb66 wrote: »
    I don't think cardio is bad for you, however if all you're doing is cardio then that's bad for you, the best cardio is HIIT high/low intensity cardio, it burns fat and builds muscles. Too much cardio will eventually break down your muscles,and raise your cortisol levels. spending countless hours on a cardio machine is not the way to go. Lift weight along with your cardio and really see your body change, unless you want to be skinny fat, meaning no muscle tone at all, like squishy, yuk! :)

    No. 'Skinny fat' happens when you lose weight and don't work out at all, and have no muscle tone. People who do cardio do have muscle tone. Too much cardio doesn't break down your muscle tone, I have no idea where you'd even get such an idea. While it is a good idea to mix cardio with weights for bone strength, body recomp and muscle building, straight cardio is fine.

    Yes !
  • G8rRay
    G8rRay Posts: 89 Member
    edited March 2015
    grimmeanor wrote: »
    Chronic cardio can be extremely bad for you. ...

    It is!

    Fitness is a measure of physical ability!

    ...

    I typed:
    Are endurance Athletes hea....

    one of the first things was:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletic_heart_syndrome

    After reading the wiki article, I do not understand it to indicate that AHS (athletic heart syndrome) is poor health or is indicative of a health issue. I do understand it to say that there is a heart disease which has some similarities to AHS and that AHS can be mistaken for that heart disease; but, it seems that additional medical tests are required to differentiate the two. Although the article did not specifically state as such, I believe that those tests might be prescribed only if the doctor has no medical history of the patient upon which to make such differentiation.

    Anecdote: After I had trained for a year (183 training days over 52 weeks) and had completed a marathon in 2011 (age: 66), my cardiologist noted that my heart had enlarged from the previous year (based upon annual ultrasound tests); but, when I told him that I had been endurance training for that year (averaging 4:23 hours, 23.6 miles per week), he was no longer concerned that my heart had enlarged (it's a muscle responding to exercise, after all). Yes, my average RHR (resting heart rate) was ~48 bpm and my BP was about 98/61 for that year, too--at the end of the year my RHR was closer to 40 bpm.
  • Brownsbacker4evr
    Brownsbacker4evr Posts: 365 Member
    Sounds to me like maybe the article is sort of having a play on words for the sake of sounding controversial and getting attention. Maybe going off the ploy that all cardio burns muscle and will only leave fat.

  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    edited March 2015
    Not only was the wiki article on AHS misleading because it is non-life threatening nor considered unhealthy, but the slew of other links posted were similarly misleading, being about atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), with some of the studies not even using endurance athletes as study participants.

    So I saw no point in continuing a debate with someone who presented no credible substance to their argument.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    What's even more scary than that actual article?

    http://blogs.denverpost.com/fitness/author/danafullington/

    The person who wrote it..... her "qualifications" and position she holds. There is America's answer to why you are fat. Because your 'health advice' is written by people like her.
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    749.gif
  • tennisdude2004
    tennisdude2004 Posts: 5,609 Member
    Mr_Knight wrote: »
    To get to the level of fitness achieved by endurance athletes, must train and push your body to levels that are adverse to your health and potentially reduce your life span.

    This is true of most sports, "endurance" or otherwise. Elite athletes in most disciplines are swapping physical issues in the future for glory now.


    Exactly.

    I'm not saying that's a bad thing and if that's their life goal then so be it. We only get one shot on this planet, might as well make the most of it.

    But to think that pushing your body does not cause adverse issues to your health (albiet ones you accept) is a bit naive
  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    Elite athletes pushing the bounds of human capability is one thing, but to claim that casual distance runners are all harming themselves more than helping themselves is just ridiculous.
  • DangerJim71
    DangerJim71 Posts: 361 Member
    I do about 15-20 hours of cardio per week and maybe 90 minutes of strength training. I'm not fat. I am however, fast, very very fast and I can go for a long time.
This discussion has been closed.