I've upped cardio to 5x per week (Tuesday through Saturday), one hour each time. I use DVD's (Biggest Loser and Boot Camp Training). I use 3 pound dumbbells for these workouts. goal is to lose weight first, then build muscle when I'm at goal weight.
Is doing cardio 5x week ok..or should I be incorporating a weight lifting routine at the gym?
Thanks for your advice!
Cardio - Too much?
Moderators: Boss Man, cassiegose
Re: Cardio - Too much?
Add the weights in and restrict cardio to 2-3 times a week with a 30 minute duration.
If you are looking to do something like a Total Body weights workout, then try this system if you wish.
Day 1. Weights
Day 2. Cardio
Day 3. Weights
Day 4. Day off
Day 5. Cardio
Day 6. Weights
Day 7. Day off
This stops you training more than 3 days straight and keeps the off days split, so you don't have them back to back, potentially eating into progress.
You can add another Cardio day in if you wish. I'd stick it in after the final weights day, again for 30 minutes max, and don't use machines that could dramatically impact on the muscles you've trained, so an ideal one would be an Exercise Bike, because it should reduce impact on the Legs by channelling the upper body weight away from them.
If you are looking to do something like a Total Body weights workout, then try this system if you wish.
Day 1. Weights
Day 2. Cardio
Day 3. Weights
Day 4. Day off
Day 5. Cardio
Day 6. Weights
Day 7. Day off
This stops you training more than 3 days straight and keeps the off days split, so you don't have them back to back, potentially eating into progress.
You can add another Cardio day in if you wish. I'd stick it in after the final weights day, again for 30 minutes max, and don't use machines that could dramatically impact on the muscles you've trained, so an ideal one would be an Exercise Bike, because it should reduce impact on the Legs by channelling the upper body weight away from them.
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PandorasVise
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Re: Cardio - Too much?
Muscle burn fat while resting so lift weights and heavy ones. Cardio 2X a week is enough, I prefer intervals.
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shellies78
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Re: Cardio - Too much?
Hello again! I'm so confused about muscle training with weights. problem is that I can only go to the gym Sat & Sun mornings due to crazy schedule..and the weight training days are not back to back, and it doesn't seem financially sound for me to pay for membership if I'm only going 2x week at best. We cannot afford a home system right now like Bowflex, etc.Boss Man wrote:Add the weights in and restrict cardio to 2-3 times a week with a 30 minute duration.
If you are looking to do something like a Total Body weights workout, then try this system if you wish.
Day 1. Weights
Day 2. Cardio
Day 3. Weights
Day 4. Day off
Day 5. Cardio
Day 6. Weights
Day 7. Day off
This stops you training more than 3 days straight and keeps the off days split, so you don't have them back to back, potentially eating into progress.
You can add another Cardio day in if you wish. I'd stick it in after the final weights day, again for 30 minutes max, and don't use machines that could dramatically impact on the muscles you've trained, so an ideal one would be an Exercise Bike, because it should reduce impact on the Legs by channelling the upper body weight away from them.
I am able to work out M-F nights after 8 pm and early morning on weekends. With your proposed plan, instead of going to the gym on the "weights" days..can I instead do pilates at home, alternating different parts of the body? Will this work? Working out at home is most convenient right now. I have a bunch of cardio aerobics, pilates, yoga DVD's and 3 pound weights.
I really need help with a home exercise schedule..I'm going to lose 40 pounds. THanks!!
Re: Cardio - Too much?
In that case then, you could go for bodyweighted stuff instead of weights.
A simple programme should suffice.
Squats. Imagine trying to sit on a chair that isn't there. Down to 90 degrees and back up. (1 repetition.)
Lunges. Legs next to one another. Move one Leg forward, leaning into it, move it back to the start position, then repeat for the other leg. (1 repetition).
Pec Deck style Chest work. Arms to the sides at Shoulder height, in an L shape, moving 90 degrees inwards and back again. (1 repetition.)
Bent over Rows. Knees Bent, Back angled from the waist, but kept straight. Arms moving forwards and back in tandem. (1 repetition.)
Shoulder Press. Arms to the sides in an L shape, then move up and down. (1 repetition.)
Planks for Abs. Rest on the forearms and the Toes. If this is too hard, the Forearms and Lower Legs. Back straight, maintaining for 30 seconds. In around 6-8 weeks, you may be able to get to 1 minute duration
.
For the other exercises, do 8-10 repetitions 2x per exercise, with a minute break between.
Hopefully this will be a good alternative to the sections, on the original plan marked "weights"
The video based stuff you talk about, could be done for Cardio, but you'd only need 30 minutes tops really, 40 at the outside.
A simple programme should suffice.
Squats. Imagine trying to sit on a chair that isn't there. Down to 90 degrees and back up. (1 repetition.)
Lunges. Legs next to one another. Move one Leg forward, leaning into it, move it back to the start position, then repeat for the other leg. (1 repetition).
Pec Deck style Chest work. Arms to the sides at Shoulder height, in an L shape, moving 90 degrees inwards and back again. (1 repetition.)
Bent over Rows. Knees Bent, Back angled from the waist, but kept straight. Arms moving forwards and back in tandem. (1 repetition.)
Shoulder Press. Arms to the sides in an L shape, then move up and down. (1 repetition.)
Planks for Abs. Rest on the forearms and the Toes. If this is too hard, the Forearms and Lower Legs. Back straight, maintaining for 30 seconds. In around 6-8 weeks, you may be able to get to 1 minute duration
.For the other exercises, do 8-10 repetitions 2x per exercise, with a minute break between.
Hopefully this will be a good alternative to the sections, on the original plan marked "weights"
The video based stuff you talk about, could be done for Cardio, but you'd only need 30 minutes tops really, 40 at the outside.
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fletchs_65
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- Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 3:09 pm
Re: Cardio - Too much?
Hey, I would say that Boss Man is right on. You need alternating days of resistance and cardio to get the results you want. There are a LOT of good resitance excersizes out there that do not require much if any weight other than body weight. I would just add that you sound like me in that you need the guidance of haveing someone tell what to do when. The biggest loser is an example. It is a good workout but the intensity level is not high enogh for me (I have that one and one of Jillians). And it is just that one workout. I get bored. I recently found and feel in love with the P90X program. It alternates resistance and cardio and is very intense and there are multiple routines so you don't get bored doing the same thing over and over. I have droped 27 pounds so far in just 57 days.