Cardio Between Lift Sets?

toddx318
toddx318 Posts: 51 Member
edited December 23 in Fitness and Exercise
So my treadmill is right there in the same room as my bench and weights. My normal strength training is done with rest of 60s between sets usually.

So, I had to idea to make use of that 60s and hop on the treadmill for little mini-sprints during my "rest".


Has anyone else done this? Is it a good idea, bad idea?
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Replies

  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    My question is, why?

    I've done it, but it was back in my ignorant days and I no longer do it. If you're lifting, then lift (assuming real lifting - high weight and low reps). If you're cardio-ing, then cardio.

    IMO.
  • toddx318
    toddx318 Posts: 51 Member
    My question is, why?

    I've done it, but it was back in my ignorant days and I no longer do it. If you're lifting, then lift (assuming real lifting - high weight and low reps). If you're cardio-ing, then cardio.

    IMO.
    I am posing the same question to everyone here in reverse (which you didn't answer).

    Why not? Is it negative in some way?

    My reasons for why are:
    -To maximize time
    -Keep a higher HR and burn

    (for clarification, I don't do this while working legs)
  • jgic2009
    jgic2009 Posts: 531 Member
    I don't think it's a bad idea, but I prefer to super-set or triple-set instead.

    ETA: What are your goals?
  • josiereside
    josiereside Posts: 720 Member
    A few of the workout DVDs I do kind of do the same thing. I like it, keeps the heart rate up. I have also jumped on my treadmill in between sets. I don't see a thing wrong with it.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    I don't like this idea. I'm willing to bet that lack of rest between sets is going to prevent you from maximal lifting efforts on each set.
  • SanyamKaushik
    SanyamKaushik Posts: 215 Member
    Well, I am no expert but I have heard from friends and Jillian Michael, do cardio inbetween weights to keep the heart rate up and effectively burn more calories. This could be true for weight loss or getting stronger but not sure about heavy lifting goal though.
  • Jacwhite22
    Jacwhite22 Posts: 7,010 Member
    I don't like this idea. I'm willing to bet that lack of rest between sets is going to prevent you from maximal lifting efforts on each set.

    I feel this way as well.
  • Justagirl1978
    Justagirl1978 Posts: 64 Member
    IMO, if you have enough energy to be doing cardio in between sets, you're not lifting heavy enough. I *need* my rest periods to recover so that I can then again lift the weight after my 2-3 minute rest.
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  • NikkiLS28
    NikkiLS28 Posts: 43
    I guess it really depends on your goal - increase muscle mass or burn fat (since your body can't really do both at the same time). As a previous poster mentioned, I have some DVDs that do this, but the 'strength training' is pretty light.
  • mamamudbug
    mamamudbug Posts: 572 Member
    I've tried it and it negatively affected my lifts.
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    I wouldn't, because it would negatively effect my lifts and that's the last thing I want.

    If I was going for a circuit-training style workout, where keeping my HR up was a priority, then maybe I would. However, my goals are to lift as much as I can each set, max effort, so I rest and it helps with that.
  • ShannonMpls
    ShannonMpls Posts: 1,936 Member
    I triple set instead. Maybe it's not the most effective, but I can't stand sitting around for 60s. I move, for instance, from split squats to bent-over rows to planks, no purposeful rest between the sets. I'll also sometimes throw in a set of jacks or something.
  • BobbyDaniel
    BobbyDaniel Posts: 1,459 Member
    I have a jump rope and I'll do 30-40 reps between machines, not between sets though, and I don't do it every time.
  • NNAhuja
    NNAhuja Posts: 669 Member
    There is a women's gym I used to go to called Curves that worked on this principle of doing cardio inbetween lift sets. It was more for fat burning/loosing weight, not bulking up though. Worked well for loosing weight. Lost 5 lbs in a month withouth changing my food intake.
  • IndianCat3
    IndianCat3 Posts: 158 Member
    i personally dont see anything wrong with that idea..keeping the heart rate up is a good thing to me, i use to do jumping jacks or push ups in between my sets....why waste that time that is given...i say go for it and do what makes you feel good..different strokes for different folks :) thats my moto.
  • toddx318
    toddx318 Posts: 51 Member
    I don't like this idea. I'm willing to bet that lack of rest between sets is going to prevent you from maximal lifting efforts on each set.
    The rest period while your lifting weights is VERY IMPORTANT.

    As I mentioned, I don't do this while doing lower body. Do you really think running would affect my upper body lifts?

    I always thought the rest period was to allow that specific muscle to rest between sets.




    Why are super sets ok, but this idea is somehow not ok? Please explain....
  • jillzin
    jillzin Posts: 3 Member
    I do Crossfit, which integrates cardio and weight bearing exercises. It a short burst of all-out effort (less than 30 minutes). It's less lifting though, and more bodyweight exercises and kettlebells. Very intense. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CrossFit
  • Abells
    Abells Posts: 756 Member
    I think it depends on how you are lifting. I do Cross-fit which incorporates lifting with cardio. I love crossfit don't get me wrong but don't fully agree on days that we lift and do cardio. I think it creates bad form on lifts in which this case I would agree with Jackson. If you are lifting heavy with low reps I say you do cardio later and not in between. Take the rest and keep good form.


    Maybe on off lifting days switch up your routine and do some interval training with other activities such as mountain climbers, push-ups, sit-ups, and burpees inbetween some uphill runs and sprints for 20 on 10 off and vary it.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    no, if you do this, your lifting performance will suffer, and hence your progress will suffer. ideally do the cardio on a separate day.
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    IMO, if you have enough energy to be doing cardio in between sets, you're not lifting heavy enough. I *need* my rest periods to recover so that I can then again lift the weight after my 2-3 minute rest.
    This makes sense to me. Strength training days are you big chance to build that great muscle:happy: ...put yourself into that. Do cardio on another workout day.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    I guess the biggest factor, which you haven't mentioned, is intensity. If you are doing both (lifting and cardio between) at near max effort, then they will begin to affect each other, even if you are focusing on different muscle groups. No way can I lift after playing basketball, regardless of the lifts I'm doing.

    If you're lifting heavy then "trotting" on the treadmill for a few minutes, it probably can be done (though I still don't recommend it).
    If you're lifting light and running hard on the threadmill, then I don't see a problem.

    As for maximizing time... if you are giving 100%, then you are maximizing your time. If you're not, then you aren't, and a little cardio between sets won't help that.

    On a side note, IMO, your goal when lifting shouldn't be calorie burn. If the burn is your primary goal, then just do the cardio.
  • mikewpg1ca
    mikewpg1ca Posts: 86 Member
    I wouldn't do cardio between sets myself due to my goal being to build strength and focus on lifting when I'm working out. If you do cardio between sets your HR will be high and I'd be surprised if you would be as effective lifting, at least based on my experience. If you want to do both sure go ahead, but it will take away from your ability to lift.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Do you really think running would affect my upper body lifts?

    If you're lifting heavy, absolutely.


    Why are super sets ok, but this idea is somehow not ok? Please explain....

    Supersetting saves a bit of time but generally speaking when you superset or compound set, you're doing back to back lifts followed by a reasonable rest period before executing the superset again. You're still incorporating ample rest, you're just performing two sets in back to back fashion.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    My question is, why?

    I've done it, but it was back in my ignorant days and I no longer do it. If you're lifting, then lift (assuming real lifting - high weight and low reps). If you're cardio-ing, then cardio.

    IMO.
    I am posing the same question to everyone here in reverse (which you didn't answer).

    Why not? Is it negative in some way?

    My reasons for why are:
    -To maximize time
    -Keep a higher HR and burn

    (for clarification, I don't do this while working legs)

    The purpose of resting between sets is to replenish your glycogen stores in your muscles. By doing cardio in between sets you don't allow that to happen, and your lifts will suffer.

    EDIT to add - Sprinting is anaerobic in nature, so that's not even cardio work, that would be the same as doing constant lifting with no rest.
  • zela
    zela Posts: 92 Member
    Dude I know you are probably motivated and probably want the quickest results possible, BUT if you feel good to do cardio on 60 second rests between sets than maybe you should reconsider the intensity of your lifting. I seriously see stars for 2 minutes after my heavy sets and take a 2-3 minute break. Can't imagine what results the extra 10 calories burned would do for me, probably screw the intensity on the next set. Much easier to eat a spoon less for dinner or do 5 minutes of cardio after you lift.
  • monty619
    monty619 Posts: 1,308 Member
    So my treadmill is right there in the same room as my bench and weights. My normal strength training is done with rest of 60s between sets usually.

    So, I had to idea to make use of that 60s and hop on the treadmill for little mini-sprints during my "rest".


    Has anyone else done this? Is it a good idea, bad idea?

    Bad idea..

    in my opinion you leave the lifting and the cardio completely seperate unless its under certain circumstances. Lifting heavy will already tax your cardiovascular system and nervous system if you do it right and its bad to have some sort of active recovery in between sets doin some sort of cardio. However, training such as circuit training or crossfit type work is if you are overweight and dont have much muscle mass then you can build muscle and burn fat efficiently at the same time. For anyone who is already in descent shape I would stay to stick to training hard with weights and do cardio either after your workout or on a different day.
  • ishtar13
    ishtar13 Posts: 528 Member
    I don't like this idea. I'm willing to bet that lack of rest between sets is going to prevent you from maximal lifting efforts on each set.

    I'm thinking that if he's only doing 60 second rests, he's not doing maximal lifting anyway.

    I'm up to 90-120 secs on my rests because that's what it takes for me to recover - especially on squats.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    I don't like this idea. I'm willing to bet that lack of rest between sets is going to prevent you from maximal lifting efforts on each set.

    I'm thinking that if he's only doing 60 second rests, he's not doing maximal lifting anyway.

    I'm up to 90-120 secs on my rests because that's what it takes for me to recover - especially on squats.

    ^ Thats also a good point.
  • toddx318
    toddx318 Posts: 51 Member
    Not sure what you mean by maximal lifting. I am doing medium range reps (10) and by the time I get to my last rep on my last set, I am nearing failure on most exercises.


    Also, I should never have said "sprinting" - as someone pointed out, that is anaerobic, which I am definitely not doing. I'd say I have been going around 5k race pace, which is definitely aerobic.
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