Why Don't Petite Women Do Cardio?
Replies
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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.3
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I have asthma and I'm not comfortable with the stress that cardio puts on my lungs. So I do lifting, which, while not easy, doesn't make me huff and puff for and hour afterwards.0
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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.1 -
Some people lift. Some people strength train in other ways. Some people do cardio. Some people do a mix of all. Some people are petite. Some people aren't.
No-one is building any appreciable muscle doing cardio or lifting in a deficit.
I strength train and do cardio. Calories, overall fitness and aesthetics are my reasons.2 -
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.0
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I'm 4'11. I do strength training using stronglifts and cardio using Krav Maga. I train 6 days a week to the upper end of my abilities.0
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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.
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plenty of shorties do cardio so i cannot answer your question1
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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.1 -
I am a petite woman and while I think there's a place for cardio in any exercise routine, I definitely prefer to strength train. If I worked out 5 days a week, 1 of those days will be a cardio day, the rest a strength training routine.
Then only reason I do cardio at all is to train my heart. Generally speaking though, it's not about being petite that makes me want to lift...
It's just because I feel like I burn more calories and develop muscle using weights; if I do cardio I only burn calories...0 -
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.
Weight lifting will make a HUGE difference in your ability to do pole/aerial. I had to quit aerial because my upper body wasn't strong enough and I kept hurting my rotator cuff. After lifting for 6 months, I went back and I could knock the *kitten* out of moves I couldn't even come close to doing before. You can get there doing aerial alone, but it will take a lot longer.
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mom23mangos wrote: »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.
Weight lifting will make a HUGE difference in your ability to do pole/aerial. I had to quit aerial because my upper body wasn't strong enough and I kept hurting my rotator cuff. After lifting for 6 months, I went back and I could knock the *kitten* out of moves I couldn't even come close to doing before. You can get there doing aerial alone, but it will take a lot longer.
I know that it will help tremendously, but I can't afford to do all three. Aerial and pole are not cheap, and pole is my #1, aerial is my #2, meaning I will always make sure I have the money to do pole, and then aerial. If for some reason I can only afford to do one each month, pole wins out every time.
Besides you can do strength training exercises on the bar, pole, and silks. You can do all types of strength moves three on the apparatuses that are meant to prepare you for the poses. I personally, don't have any issues with the strength portion of it, for me whenever I have an issues it's almost always a mental block. My brain saying "you want me to do what?" lol.0 -
Thank you everyone for replying. I definitely have a better insight into the benefits of strength training over cardio. A lot of women find cardio doesn't help them lose weight while others do. Just a debatable topic to look into. I was in no way trying to offend anyone, as it seems like some were upset over the topic.
I know many large people who only do strength training because cardio is to brutal for them. I wasn't trying to ignore taller people, I was more focused on petite women because of my own views and issues.
I will continue doing cardio because I have noticed it makes me feel better.1 -
That's a wide sweeping statement. Do cardio if you wish. I recommend it.0
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mom23mangos wrote: »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.
Weight lifting will make a HUGE difference in your ability to do pole/aerial. I had to quit aerial because my upper body wasn't strong enough and I kept hurting my rotator cuff. After lifting for 6 months, I went back and I could knock the *kitten* out of moves I couldn't even come close to doing before. You can get there doing aerial alone, but it will take a lot longer.
I know that it will help tremendously, but I can't afford to do all three. Aerial and pole are not cheap, and pole is my #1, aerial is my #2, meaning I will always make sure I have the money to do pole, and then aerial. If for some reason I can only afford to do one each month, pole wins out every time.
Besides you can do strength training exercises on the bar, pole, and silks. You can do all types of strength moves three on the apparatuses that are meant to prepare you for the poses. I personally, don't have any issues with the strength portion of it, for me whenever I have an issues it's almost always a mental block. My brain saying "you want me to do what?" lol.
absolutely
plus doing strength with apparatus helps with body awareness. i would rather do aerial conditioning over weights any and all day.1 -
DanceDiva234 wrote: »Thank you everyone for replying. I definitely have a better insight into the benefits of strength training over cardio. A lot of women find cardio doesn't help them lose weight while others do. Just a debatable topic to look into. I was in no way trying to offend anyone, as it seems like some were upset over the topic.
I know many large people who only do strength training because cardio is to brutal for them. I wasn't trying to ignore taller people, I was more focused on petite women because of my own views and issues.
I will continue doing cardio because I have noticed it makes me feel better.
Weight loss comes from how many calories you consume. If cardio makes you hungrier and you mindlessly eat then it will hinder, if you keep track it won't.2 -
mom23mangos wrote: »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.
Weight lifting will make a HUGE difference in your ability to do pole/aerial. I had to quit aerial because my upper body wasn't strong enough and I kept hurting my rotator cuff. After lifting for 6 months, I went back and I could knock the *kitten* out of moves I couldn't even come close to doing before. You can get there doing aerial alone, but it will take a lot longer.
I know that it will help tremendously, but I can't afford to do all three. Aerial and pole are not cheap, and pole is my #1, aerial is my #2, meaning I will always make sure I have the money to do pole, and then aerial. If for some reason I can only afford to do one each month, pole wins out every time.
Besides you can do strength training exercises on the bar, pole, and silks. You can do all types of strength moves three on the apparatuses that are meant to prepare you for the poses. I personally, don't have any issues with the strength portion of it, for me whenever I have an issues it's almost always a mental block. My brain saying "you want me to do what?" lol.
absolutely
plus doing strength with apparatus helps with body awareness. i would rather do aerial conditioning over weights any and all day.
I agree. Doing aerial conditioning is what helped me hone in on my lats and remind me to pull my shoulders into their sockets.0 -
I have never heard of this before. I totally do cardio at five three. I also lift. I like a well rounded program and I need to keep my heart healthy.1
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I soooo want to say it's because they can't reach the pedals.
(Short person here, and that's actually sometimes true.
) 4 -
I'm petite and I don't do much cardio except walking and the occasional video workout. Mostly because I don't enjoy it. I love weight training and do that 4x/week. I count calories to lose weight. Before I cut my calories I was just maintaining, though getting stronger. Once I lost some fat I had some pretty kick-azz muscle tone.1
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I truly believe that the right workout is the one you will actually consistently do...but I don't believe you are actually "fit" if you leave anything out.
I started weight lifting this past April, after a lot of dragging my feet about it. Do I love it? No. But I like it. And I know it was the missing piece of my fitness puzzle.
I LOVE running and HIIT body weight training and try to fit in yoga for 10 minutes in front of the tv each night.
I think of my 6 workouts a week as apocalypse training. You want to be strong to fight off the aliens, but also want to be able to outrun them. LOL!!
Also, cardio is extremely good for stress relief
And is recommended by mental health professionals consistently.
Sleep professionals recommend it too.
People that say they hate cardio are probably spending too much time at the gym on the machines.
A bike ride, dancing, basketball, softball, touch football, talking a walk, hiking,swimming, chasing the kids around the park is all cardio. You really HATE all those?0 -
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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.
Haha tell that to my trainer... I honestly think a good hard jog is less mentally scarring then trying (and failing) to do that 100th pressup. And don't don't even get me started on sit-ups.0 -
Don't re-think cardio, rethink whomever told you this...I LOVE cardio, and have lost 80 lbs doing it 4-5 times a week..and I'm only 5'2. Strength training is fabulous for sculpting your bod, but cardio has it's place in fitness/wellness as well
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The short women you talk to must not like cardio. I'm short, and I love cardio. Having a low TDEE, I like burning a few more calories, and getting to have another piece of cheese.0
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Right. I have to stick with "sturdy" and make the best of getting as small as I reasonably can.TavistockToad wrote: »Lol, well my gym is full of petite women who focus on Zumba. And man do Zumba people get offended if someone is in their "spot" in the studios.
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
Zumba is fun! Lol- Funny about the territorial feisty ladies.
Do you see good results with cycling? I've heard rumors that cycling is good for getting smaller. I tend to bulk up and want to avoid that. I'd rather get elongation and the Pilates type feminine body. I take after my dad, I'm afraid to say.
you can't change genetics sadly... calorie deficit to lose weight.
Sturdy and fit is beautiful, and I bet that you'll find you're more willowy that you think.0 -
I don't get this thread. It reminds me of the thread asking why Americans have to put butter sauce on their vegetables.
Butter sauce.2 -
teetertatertango wrote: »I soooo want to say it's because they can't reach the pedals.
(Short person here, and that's actually sometimes true. )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__TU3EHNN2I
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 4 -
DanceDiva234 wrote: »Thank you everyone for replying. I definitely have a better insight into the benefits of strength training over cardio. A lot of women find cardio doesn't help them lose weight while others do. Just a debatable topic to look into. I was in no way trying to offend anyone, as it seems like some were upset over the topic.
I know many large people who only do strength training because cardio is to brutal for them. I wasn't trying to ignore taller people, I was more focused on petite women because of my own views and issues.
I will continue doing cardio because I have noticed it makes me feel better.
Not a lot of what you are saying makes sense...
Weight loss comes from being in a consistent calorie deficit. Calories In < Calories Out. You can create the deficit through diet (reducing calories in), or exercise (increasing calories out), or both.
Cardio is a method to increase your calories out, improve your cardiovascular health, etc. strength training is a means to preserve lean body mass while in a calorie deficit. They are not mutually exclusive.
Petite people, average stature, and tall people can all do cardio, strength training, or no exercise at all and still lose weight. None of this is a one size fits all approach.4 -
I see petite women working out at my gym, doing all sorts of cardio; also petite women in my power step classes. Never thought height might make a difference...0
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