How much Cardio is too much Cardio?

angelicdisgrace
angelicdisgrace Posts: 2,071 Member
edited September 28 in Health and Weight Loss
I have recently increased my Cardio workout from 30mins to an hour and sometimes longer. I try to do Cardio 4 days at hour plus and 3 days strength training with a trainer. I have asked my trainer if I'm over training and he says I should slow down but does not give me a straight forward answer. Any clues?advice?suggestions?

Replies

  • Barneystinson
    Barneystinson Posts: 1,357 Member
    Just my two cents, but unless you're training for endurance competitions or marathons, don't overdo intense cardio. 30-45 minutes (intense) is sufficient alongside strength training.

    If you're looking to get more activity in your day, I recommend doing low/slow cardio more frequently - getting up and moving about, walking more frequently, etc.
  • edorice
    edorice Posts: 4,519 Member
    Over an hour a day of just cardio may keep you away from your goals. I have found that really trying to keep my calories and micro-nutrients in line is more important than the length of my cardio sessions.
  • skinnyjeanzbound
    skinnyjeanzbound Posts: 3,932 Member
    I've read in several places (on MFP and other online articles) that once you get beyond 30 minutes of cardio your body may start eating muscle to fuel itself. Of course that depends a lot on what you are eating and whether you are doing any warm up prior to the cardio, but it's something to consider. Personally, I think your body would benefit more from a mix of cardio and strength training (weights, pilates, etc.). Everything I've researched says do the strength training first to burn off the glucose in your blood, then do the cardio to attack the fat stores.
  • pixieval
    pixieval Posts: 64 Member
    I would think it would depend.. How long were you doing 30 minute cardio sessions? just a couple weeks, or a few months? Maybe you're able to do it now, how does your body feel after a workout? Good sore, or painful?
    I recently upped my cardio quite a bit, but the biggest reason was all of a sudden the time for me to quit and cool down, was when I was started to sweat and get my heart rate up. My endurance changed, and I started to have too much fun doing cardio, and didn't want it to stop!

    edit to add: my situation is probably a lot different than yours though, I don't work with a trainer who can watch my progress, and know to push my further in my first 30 minutes. I'm still doing a lot of light type cardio through fitness videos, fitness video games, running and walking. If I upped my intensity, like your trainer is probably having you do, I would probably get that burn quicker.
  • KeyMasterOfGozer
    KeyMasterOfGozer Posts: 229 Member
    I would say it depends on your goals. If you want to increase your endurance, then doing more cardio will do that. It may not be optimal for other goals, like weight loss, but that is obviously not everyone's only goal. I've read in a lot of places (though I'm not positive of it's veracity), that 30-45 minutes 3 times per week is optimal to get in shape and lose weight. Personally, I do 45 minutes every day to increase my endurance, and also, because I like having the extra calories for the day. Sometimes that works against me though. I know from trial and error, that I lose weight faster not exercising at all, but I also lose my endurance and some strength, so it is not worth the faster weight loss for me.

    Good luck out there.
  • lesliefoste
    lesliefoste Posts: 137 Member
    If you're PAYING someone to be your personal trainer, I'd insist on a straight-forward answer! What's the trainer's hesitation? They don't want to tell you something? They don't know the answer? I'd ask again.
  • Airbear3
    Airbear3 Posts: 335 Member
    i never heard of too much cardio! there are bad affects to it?
  • jkestens63
    jkestens63 Posts: 1,164 Member
    I have no idea what is too much but I do what feels good to me. At one point in my life I couldn't walk to the end of my driveway to get the mail. Now I do on average 75 minutes of cardio at the gym 5 days a week. I also do some sort of fitness class (pilates, beginner spin, etc.) or strength/weight training for 50 minutes on those days too. On my "off" days I will do a Jillian Michaels or Bob Harper DVD along with a Leslie Sansone walking DVD. HOWEVER - when I lose my energy or feeling sore I take at least one day off.

    Personally, I don't worry about the "science" behind weight loss. I do what I enjoy, that will help me stay on track. I know a lot of people will think I exercise too much but I truly enjoy it. I'm also a rebel in the food dept - I eat just about everything but in moderation/correct portion sized; I don't go crazy trying to stay in nutrient levels, I usually eat dinner between 8 and 9 pm, and I have snack right before bed.

    Do what feels right and natural to you... some people really enjoy getting very technical and that's great, its a dedication & attention to detail I don't have. On the other hand I've done fine with just listening to my body.

    Good luck!
  • JDMPWR
    JDMPWR Posts: 1,863 Member
    If you're PAYING someone to be your personal trainer, I'd insist on a straight-forward answer! What's the trainer's hesitation? They don't want to tell you something? They don't know the answer? I'd ask again.
    [/quote

    I am pretty sure his hesitation is that there is no 100% proof to establish his answer on!

    30-45 minutes, 1 hour if your protein intake is high and when I say high I mean something like 1 gram per lbs of body weight high not MFP set standard.
  • JDMPWR
    JDMPWR Posts: 1,863 Member
    i never heard of too much cardio! there are bad affects to it?

    Cardio can eat muscle tissue away if you don't have your diet in check and even when you have your protein levels high it can still happen.
  • gp79
    gp79 Posts: 1,799 Member
    Just do what is "smart" and feels right to you. Obviously if you are new to an exercise routine, you do not want to be killin' it 5-6 days per week because you're bound for overuse injuries. If you've been doing this sort of thing for a while, and you feel good, strong, healthy, do what you want because obviously your body is use to whatever you're doing to it.

    Just don't forget to allow your body to repair itself as constant use, while may be satisfying, won't do you good in the long run.
  • angelicdisgrace
    angelicdisgrace Posts: 2,071 Member
    I've been doing 30min sessions for over a year until recently. Just in the last six weeks I have increased my Cardio to an hour plus five days a week. I actually feel great afterwards. I do try to switch my Cardio between three different machines so I do not get bored.
  • angelicdisgrace
    angelicdisgrace Posts: 2,071 Member
    See that's what I have read also but my trainer says since we do strength training three times a week I should not be experiencing the muscle loss.
  • angelicdisgrace
    angelicdisgrace Posts: 2,071 Member
    I actually ask all the time. Lol. I have worked hard to build muscle and I don't want to lose it. He's actually a very good trainer. Always motivates and encourages even when I want to quit. He finds ways to keep the workout fresh.
  • angelicdisgrace
    angelicdisgrace Posts: 2,071 Member
    Just do what is "smart" and feels right to you. Obviously if you are new to an exercise routine, you do not want to be killin' it 5-6 days per week because you're bound for overuse injuries. If you've been doing this sort of thing for a while, and you feel good, strong, healthy, do what you want because obviously your body is use to whatever you're doing to it.

    Just don't forget to allow your body to repair itself as constant use, while may be satisfying, won't do you good in the long run.

    I know I have to rest but I'll admit it I'm a total gym rat lolol
  • angelicdisgrace
    angelicdisgrace Posts: 2,071 Member
    Sorry I'm new to this whole forum and didnt quote anyone.
  • abigailhayes
    abigailhayes Posts: 2
    Just my personal experience! I have to increase my cardio to hit my goals! I do strength training 5 days a week and cardio 5-6 days a week for and hour! I was only working out 3 days and doing 30 mins of cardio and I was not geting anywhere- I eat very well and do supplements for protien. I was on a serious plateau before hand but my trainer made me a 10 week program the only variant was on leg days I was only supposed to do 45 mins of cardio and I got over the plateau and dropped 30lbs!

    This was only a 10 week program then I went back to a maintenance program but I will be starting another 10 week program from the trainer!! I think the more knowlegable the trainer the more straight forward the reply! I have a friend that is a trainer as well and he told me the entire time I was doing this program that it was not going to work because I was going to eat my muscle, slow my progress etc.. He was wrong it was the best thing I could have ever done!

    Of cpourse my goal was to build more muscle, loose weight and build endurance to run again!
  • gp79
    gp79 Posts: 1,799 Member
    All the hard work needs to accompanied by good clean eating to maximize your results. Remember to aim for 0.8g protein per lb of lean body mass. To calculate your lean body mass you need to figure out your body fat %, then do a little math to subtract fat weight from lean body tissue, etc.

    If you need help, let me know. I'd be happy to calculate it for you, just send me a message.
  • abyssfully
    abyssfully Posts: 410 Member
    I've read in several places (on MFP and other online articles) that once you get beyond 30 minutes of cardio your body may start eating muscle to fuel itself. Of course that depends a lot on what you are eating and whether you are doing any warm up prior to the cardio, but it's something to consider. Personally, I think your body would benefit more from a mix of cardio and strength training (weights, pilates, etc.). Everything I've researched says do the strength training first to burn off the glucose in your blood, then do the cardio to attack the fat stores.
    Well said. :: thumbs up ::
  • angelicdisgrace
    angelicdisgrace Posts: 2,071 Member
    All the hard work needs to accompanied by good clean eating to maximize your results. Remember to aim for 0.8g protein per lb of lean body mass. To calculate your lean body mass you need to figure out your body fat %, then do a little math to subtract fat weight from lean body tissue, etc.

    If you need help, let me know. I'd be happy to calculate it for you, just send me a message.

    Will do. Thanks.
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