How much cardio is too much?

frankie671
frankie671 Posts: 51 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hey, so to start here are my stats: H - 4ft11. W - 119lbs. BMI - about 24. Body fat - about 26%.

I'm currently trying to recomp with my overall goal being to have a body fat percentage of about 20 - 22% and to have a leaner look, ideally, I'd like to get to the point where I have visible abs. Following the advice of people on here I've been eating at least 1,500 calories a day and strength training (StrongLifts) 3 x a week for about 6 weeks now. I do other exercises during the week like the odd HIIT class here and there, I walk 15k steps a day, and I do an hour of Bokwa at the weekend (fast paced cardio dance class) simply because it's so much fun. In total, I work out 5 days a week with 2 rest days (and even on these days I am walking lots).

I've read that some people who are recomping try to limit cardio to as little as possible, so my question is, do you think I am going to harm or stop my progress because I do quite a lot of cardio? I don't want to stop it because it makes me feel so good, so if it is going to affect my progress, would you advise that I eat more/make sure I eat back all my exercise cals? I log these burns with a Fitbit, not estimates.

Oh and if it's helpful, my stats on StrongLifts currently are: Squat - 55kg. OHP - 22.5kg. Deadlift - 55kf. Bench - 30kg. Row 40kg.

Thanks!!

Replies

  • sammyliftsandeats
    sammyliftsandeats Posts: 2,421 Member
    Are you having trouble recovering in time for your lifts? That's what would be the deciding factor for me.
  • frankie671
    frankie671 Posts: 51 Member
    Not really, so far I've been making steady progress with my lifts. I've been at the same weights on my OHP for a while (I find that the toughest lift) but other than that, everything is going well at the moment! Perhaps it will get harder as my lifts increase? I did notice my squat was particularly tough this morning...
  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    If you can recover for your weight training then I would say you are at a good point. It is all about balance.

    Don't forget you will always have "off" days where the weights don't cooperate so don't get disheartened by them.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Too much would be if you injure yourself, it compromises your other training, makes it too hard to eat enough to fuel exercise, you don't enjoy it.....
    (Cardio doesn't burn muscle for fuel if that's your fear.)

    Yes you should definitely be eating enough to compensate for your exercise.
    BTW a fitbit just gives you an estimate. Same as a HRM just gives you an estimate etc etc....

    Over the summer I cycle 100+ miles a week and can still recomp, I do eat a lot though! :smile:
    The major training interference is that my legs are frequently tired so that limits leg strength work in the gym, typically to two sessions a week but sometimes one depending on intensity/duration of my cycling and scheduling it all in.

    But as a lot of my cycling is in hilly countryside that's not a huge issue (for me). With StrongLifts as your weights routine that may be more of an issue for you.

  • sammyliftsandeats
    sammyliftsandeats Posts: 2,421 Member
    frankie671 wrote: »
    Not really, so far I've been making steady progress with my lifts. I've been at the same weights on my OHP for a while (I find that the toughest lift) but other than that, everything is going well at the moment! Perhaps it will get harder as my lifts increase? I did notice my squat was particularly tough this morning...

    It may be tougher as the weights increase, but that is your call to make.

    For now, do as you are doing if you enjoy it. If you find that you are unable to make a lift that you have done successfully before, consider scaling back.

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