Cardio & Strength

jacquelyn_erika
jacquelyn_erika Posts: 524 Member
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Can anyone offer some insight on developing a cardio AND strength routine at the gym? My goals are to lose about 25-30 more pounds, but try and develop some muscle tone in the process. I have some areas that I want to focus on more than others, but I understand it's impossible to spot train so I need an overall routine to help me accomplish my goals.

Would it be possible for me to try and lose 15-20 pounds through cardio only and then focus on strength training after that?

Any advice on this would be appreciated. I really want to have lost all of this weight by the middle of June, so I need to get the ball rolling!!

Replies

  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    Read New Rules of Lifting for Women...there's also a NROL4W group on here that you can get a lot of information from.
  • jacquelyn_erika
    jacquelyn_erika Posts: 524 Member
    Read New Rules of Lifting for Women...there's also a NROL4W group on here that you can get a lot of information from.

    I actually have a copy of that book. Maybe I should put it to some good use! Thanks :)
  • rockerbabyy
    rockerbabyy Posts: 2,258 Member
    i would work on both at the same time. i have a routine where i lift 3 days a week with about 20 minutes of cardio on those days, and then two days with 40 minutes of just cardio..
  • ssstefanieee
    ssstefanieee Posts: 80 Member
    Read New Rules of Lifting for Women...there's also a NROL4W group on here that you can get a lot of information from.

    agreed! I've just started using these routines and they are very well put together
  • cedder1
    cedder1 Posts: 139 Member
    Strength training is very important when losing weight. Most people don't think that because they don't "sweat" enough, but building lean muscle mass aids in weight loss. Combing the two can help you loose weight for sure. I teach cardio kickboxing classes 4 days a week, but one day we just do weights for the whole class. This also keeps your body from developing "memory" from just doing cardio workouts.
  • lbetancourt
    lbetancourt Posts: 522 Member
    I strongly recommend doing both. Coming from a person who used to spend hours at the gym, I now do circuit training when I am in the gym. I just copy cat what I have learned from Jillian Michaels and I recently picked up BodyRock tv (currently this one is kicking my butt!! I am sore all over). The pounds have whittled away & I definitely see more definition. My workouts are no longer than 30 minutes. Of course, I do watch my calories. If I was a big eater & had that desire to eat more, I would work out more. I just have other things I would rather be doing.

    http://www.bodyrock.tv/

    Good Luck!
  • engineman312
    engineman312 Posts: 3,450 Member
    i have a very varied routine through the course of the week. i try and do cardio 2-3 times a week, and strength training 2-3 times a week. i do my best to alternate, i.e. not do strength on consecutive days.

    however sometime i combine work outs. try doing 1/4 mile run, 15 push upss, 10 body weight squats, 5 pull ups. repeat as many times as possible in thirty minutes.
  • jacquelyn_erika
    jacquelyn_erika Posts: 524 Member
    Thanks everyone for the advice. It looks like cardio/strength is going to be the best route to go!
  • RunHardBeStrong
    RunHardBeStrong Posts: 33,069 Member
    Read New Rules of Lifting for Women...there's also a NROL4W group on here that you can get a lot of information from.

    I actually have a copy of that book. Maybe I should put it to some good use! Thanks :)

    Yes! Do! It's a great book and easy to follow!
  • melissaw1232
    melissaw1232 Posts: 184 Member
    I also do cardio at least 4 x a week and strength 3x
    For my strength I used dvd. rotating them so my body doesnt get use to them.
    I used Chris Fretag's10lb slimdown- great circuit training
    Jackie Warner Power Circuit - compound strength moves
    Jillian Micheals (various) - stregth
    Jari Love - (various) strength

    Good luck!!
  • grapenutSF
    grapenutSF Posts: 648 Member
    another vote for New Rules- esp if you have the book!

    Throughout the week I do New Rules strength training 3x week + salsa fitness (joy!) 4x/wk + interval running 1x/wk + occasionally mix it up by doing WODs posted by folks here (well, actually, just Engineman's). I love the variety and my body appreciates it too.
  • carrie_eggo
    carrie_eggo Posts: 1,396 Member
    I have fallen in love with lifting, and I love NWOL4W. I generally hate cardio.

    Just throwing this out there--Chapter 3 of the book is entitled "Step Away from the Treadmill." :smile:
  • KarateGoddess
    KarateGoddess Posts: 93 Member
    I do an hour of cardio and a half hour of circuit weight training at the gym. I have to change up what I do every so often or I will plateau. Classes at the gym can be fun to change up the cardio routine - just don't keep doing the same thing all the time. You will get really bored and stop getting results. This is my experience anyway.
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