Working out resting cardio / muscle building

greatsimplicity
greatsimplicity Posts: 7
edited November 12 in Fitness and Exercise
I have knee problems so for my cardio I use an elliptical, which is amazing for my knees. But I know you have to rest your muscles to allow them to repair themselves- well my work out consists of arms abs and elliptical. My calves are so sore I even walk funny. So how am I supposed to burn my 500 daily calories if I have to rest my muscles. I read somewhere that you are not supposed to work out sore muscles for you will not allow them to rest and repair themselves. So when do I rest? how else am I going to burn off my calories?

p.s. I am very scared to develop upper back muslces - I dont want a wider back or neck ... what must I stay away from?

Thanks in advance guys !

Replies

  • Sl1ghtly
    Sl1ghtly Posts: 855 Member
    If the Popeye look is what your going for, I suggest doing a bajillion bicep curls every day and eliptical every other day.

    If the feminine look is your goal, I suggest purchasing 'The new rules of luring for women'
  • You mean New rules of lifting for women?
  • Sl1ghtly
    Sl1ghtly Posts: 855 Member
    You mean New rules of lifting for women?

    Oh yeah.. I had a couger on my mind. Sorry.
  • Hi guys

    I am new here. So just a quick question.

    Does it take into account the calories you burn when doing strength training?
  • i"m not too sure, I dont think so, even though you do burn fat its not major lke cardio work out
  • ilovedeadlifts
    ilovedeadlifts Posts: 2,923 Member
    1. if you need to rest your legs, you can still do a slow walking pace on the elliptical. walking promotes recovery, so you aren't going to overtrain by walking.

    2. you need to focus on a more well rounded excercise plan.

    3. you won't get a thicker/wider back. it takes YEARS of work for a woman (or even a guy) to end up with a thick/wide back. you need lots of upper back work for health. most people are extremely unbalanced and end up with rounded upper back because they are weak. (think little old ladies who no longer walk upright, or people with really rounded forward shoulders). for the sake of your posture, work the hell out of your upper back.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    i do elliptical sometimes on my rest days between lifting. i set the tension on the lowest level possible where i can still get my heart rate up a bit but not too much where i can feel the muscles. on those days i'm not necessarily going for a high calorie burn (i probably get 300 calories in an hour) since the days i lift i can easily get to 750-800 calories in an hour not to mention the post exercise burn. i find it helps knock out any stiffness i might have.
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