Why Don't Petite Women Do Cardio?

LazSommer wrote: »

I think there's an overall shift in mentality from cardio to lifting for many, demographics aside. Lifting is a way for many to exercise and not feel like they are dying.

Personally I don't get it because if you're "lifting heavy" it can feel just as rough as a long run, but you don't necessarily have to lift that heavy I guess. I enjoy both, and I learned first hand you're only kidding yourself if you just lift. You can lose weight and look great, but the cardio carryover is grossly exaggerated.

I don't think that's the reason a good amount of people prefer to lift. Lifting creates a much more preferable aesthetic, for me at least. I definitely focus on lifting, with some cardio. It's not because it feels "easier", which it isn't.

Running and cardio in general just burns calories and gives a good work out for your cardiovascular system. However, the major differences I've seen in my body have come from lifting. Which is one of the reasons why I prefer it.

Anyways. For the OP, maybe you're just focusing on petite women's workouts because you're petite yourself? A lot of people just lift and do no cardio regardless of their stature.

RosieRose7673 wrote: »

LazSommer wrote: »

I think there's an overall shift in mentality from cardio to lifting for many, demographics aside. Lifting is a way for many to exercise and not feel like they are dying.

Personally I don't get it because if you're "lifting heavy" it can feel just as rough as a long run, but you don't necessarily have to lift that heavy I guess. I enjoy both, and I learned first hand you're only kidding yourself if you just lift. You can lose weight and look great, but the cardio carryover is grossly exaggerated.

I don't think that's the reason a good amount of people prefer to lift. Lifting creates a much more preferable aesthetic, for me at least. I definitely focus on lifting, with some cardio. It's not because it feels "easier", which it isn't.

Running and cardio in general just burns calories and gives a good work out for your cardiovascular system. However, the major differences I've seen in my body have come from lifting. Which is one of the reasons why I prefer it.

Anyways. For the OP, maybe you're just focusing on petite women's workouts because you're petite yourself? A lot of people just lift and do no cardio regardless of their stature.

I don't disagree with better looks, but if you read enough posts people tend to state how much they hate cardio and so they only lift. I prefer lifting myself and I don't blame them for choosing just one, just something I've noticed. They are working out, so who cares in the end. I just fell into the lol no cardio trap before and wasn't pleased with my performance outside the squat rack.

LazSommer wrote: »

RosieRose7673 wrote: »

LazSommer wrote: »

I think there's an overall shift in mentality from cardio to lifting for many, demographics aside. Lifting is a way for many to exercise and not feel like they are dying.

Personally I don't get it because if you're "lifting heavy" it can feel just as rough as a long run, but you don't necessarily have to lift that heavy I guess. I enjoy both, and I learned first hand you're only kidding yourself if you just lift. You can lose weight and look great, but the cardio carryover is grossly exaggerated.

I don't think that's the reason a good amount of people prefer to lift. Lifting creates a much more preferable aesthetic, for me at least. I definitely focus on lifting, with some cardio. It's not because it feels "easier", which it isn't.

Running and cardio in general just burns calories and gives a good work out for your cardiovascular system. However, the major differences I've seen in my body have come from lifting. Which is one of the reasons why I prefer it.

Anyways. For the OP, maybe you're just focusing on petite women's workouts because you're petite yourself? A lot of people just lift and do no cardio regardless of their stature.

I don't disagree with better looks, but if you read enough posts people tend to state how much they hate cardio and so they only lift. I prefer lifting myself and I don't blame them for choosing just one, just something I've noticed. They are working out, so who cares in the end. I just fell into the lol no cardio trap before and wasn't pleased with my performance outside the squat rack.

Oh I agree with that. I feel overall more fit when I do both. I was just saying that a lot of people prefer the visual changes that lifting tends to create.

With people who say they hate cardio, it's akin to others saying they hate lifting, football, basketball, rowing, etc. It's just not something they enjoy. Not necessarily that they think it's "too hard". It's just boring or not enjoyable. And why force yourself to focus on cardio, or any other physical activity, that you don't enjoy when there are others that you do enjoy. It's less likely that someone sticks with something they don't enjoy versus something they do.

I do think cardio is boring. That's just me. The combo of boredom and lack of physical change from cardio is why I focus on lifting. That's all. To each their own!

jemhh wrote: »

DanceDiva234 wrote: »

Ok, so I am very short at only 5'0 and a half. I have about 10-15 pounds to lose. Whenever I come across other shorter women some swear they only strength train and do not do any cardio. I know this is not for everyone, I know many definitely do cardio including myself.

My question is: What is their reasoning? Will cardio lead to weight gain because of building muscle? Basically, should I rethink doing cardio to lose weight?

Maybe it is an odd question, but many petite women I've seen begin to make me rethink my ideas of how I would like to shed off pounds. I know I can't lose all the weight and maintain the weight lost only by dropping my calories. Without cardio, I don't see how only strength training can lead to weight loss.

Because the exercise preferences of petite women vary, just as they do for average and tall women and men of all heights. How did you leap from some petite women lift to petite women don't do cardio ?

This. Simple.

4'9 here. I don't do much of either because I'm a lazy *kitten*. Apart from a hike every now and again.

I think you are making a large jump from 'some petite women prefer no cardio' to petite women maybe shouldn't do cardio. Some non-petite women prefer no cardio. Those women probably just don't enjoy cardio. I know I sure as heck don't. I do it anyway because it is good for my cardiovascular health....but I don't like it. And just doing cardio alone does nothing for my body composition and makes me hungry as heck. I gained all my weight doing just cardio alone.

My aunt is 5'2" and... I don't know if she lifts or not, but I know that she and my mother (5'7" and definitely not petite) walk (briskly, 3.5-4 mph, maybe more) around 7 miles a day. I'm just at the tallest end of what's typically called petite (5'4") and all I do right now is cardio.

I don't understand this "I hate cardio" mindset. There are so many different cardiovascular exercises - walking, running, swimming, cycling, dancing... - Do you really hate all of it? I'm still trying to find a kind of strength training that I enjoy, but I'm not ready to say that I hate lifting. I haven't explored all my options enough to know that.

I think it's a matter of preference. I probably don't classify as petite at 5' 5.5", but there are people of all shapes and sizes in the cardio classes I take, including petite women. I'm like @middlehaitch, too, in that I get bored easily with things, so I've been all over the map. I wouldn't see why petite people don't benefit from cardio anymore than anyone else. My view of exercise is, do what you love/enjoy/fits your health goals, and don't worry about what anyone else thinks you "should" be doing.

DanceDiva234 wrote: »

Ok, so I am very short at only 5'0 and a half. I have about 10-15 pounds to lose. Whenever I come across other shorter women some swear they only strength train and do not do any cardio. I know this is not for everyone, I know many definitely do cardio including myself.

My question is: What is their reasoning? Will cardio lead to weight gain because of building muscle? Basically, should I rethink doing cardio to lose weight?

Maybe it is an odd question, but many petite women I've seen begin to make me rethink my ideas of how I would like to shed off pounds. I know I can't lose all the weight and maintain the weight lost only by dropping my calories. Without cardio, I don't see how only strength training can lead to weight loss.

Have you asked any of these ladies why they don't do cardio? I know a lot of short people who do cardio and weight lifting, or just cardio.

5'1 here, and I do cardio and strength training. Sometimes at the same time. I do pole, which is strength combined with elements of cardio. And aerial arts which is a lot of strength, but the warm-ups include cardio. I will throw in cardio dvds here and there. It all comes down to a person's goals. I will do cardio dvds when I need to bank calories.

This weekend, I need to bank calories b/c I'm going on a road trip and road trip eating is not all that great. But generally, I'll pick doing a pole class or aerial class over jogging or walking on a treadmill b/c it's getting me to my goals of being able to complete a certain move or routine.

I wish I could get into weight lifting, but I know it would give me the stomach I want sooner. But I'd much rather be on the trapeze bar or spinning around the pole than lifting free weights. To me it's fun. And enjoying your workout is the surest way that you'll stick with it.