Cardio, how many x per week?

fitnessluvr

fitnessluvr

Cathlete
I usually do 6 days a week of cardio (plus I lift most days - different body parts obviously). Lately I have been very tired and I think I may need to cut back on my cardio and really focus on my weights. I was just curious what everyone else is doing...

Mindy
 
I used to do 5-6 days of cardio per week.

I cut it back to 2-3 days in January of 2007 when I began my first round of P90X and have never looked back.

Well, okay, that's not completely true...During my short breaks from heavy lifting I have been known to do cardio more just for the pure fun factor of it but as far as results go...yeah, less cardio is more when combined with heavy lifting! That's for sure...for me, anyway.

You really have to play with it and see what works the best for you. :)
 
3 50-ish minute sessions per week, MAYBE adding a shorter 4th session.

I am tired just THINKING about the OP's 6 days of cardio -- whew!!
 
When I did cardio that often I wasn't into lifting. I mean, I did it, but it was pretty much endurance and I didn't give it my all like I do now so it wasn't that bad. However, if I did that much cardio along with the lifting I do now?? Oh forget about it! It's not even possible! :7 :p
 
I usually do my cardio in the morning and then in the early afternoon I will lift (thank goodness my kids still take naps). I am hoping that if I cut back on my cardio and really focus on my lifting I will see better results and have more energy for my cardio. You dont know if you dont try. However it is still scary for a "cardio junkie" like myself to think of cutting back. :)
 
>You dont know if you dont try. However
>it is still scary for a "cardio junkie" like myself to think
>of cutting back. :)

I know the feeling. I was that cardio junkie too when I first cut back. It can definately be hard to let go of that much cardio but it's definately worth a shot IMO. It's the best decision I ever made! I am leaner and more defined then I've ever been!:)
 
I say try it to see if it works for you. It does for some, it doesn't for others. Give yourself a full month to really see if it does work - as it can take that long to see results. Then make any changes necessary.
 
Maybe you need to cut back. Maybe you need a rest or maybe you just need to change it up a bit. Personally, I do four 30/40 minute cardio sessions with core work per week and two days of heavy total body weights. This regimen was recommended by my PT and I have to say I really like and have been able to stick with it. I used to do cardio five to six days a week with circuit training and muscle endurance workouts and while my overall fitness vastly improved I still wasn't getting the results I wanted. Anyway, I'm striving to look like Ahhhhnold....but I'm still in my Gumby phase. :7
 
I aim for three times a week, 60 mins each session. Truthfully, I love doing this much, I also love my three days weight training, I would be loathe to do any more and also very fatigued and bored. There are other things to do in life, after all!

Clare
 
I usually do 6 days of cardio as well... but I am lacking on the weights. I have been hearing that it is best to blend the two focuses so that you can lift after you get in a quick cardio and keep your heart rate elevated to the fat burning stage while lifting.

Ashli
 
I know I have trouble with this. Lately I've been doing the 4DS which I like. I used to alternate cardio days and weight days. I think I like 4DS better!I think we were all brainwashed to think more cardio was better!
Ellen
 
This is very individual - I feel I have to do 5 days a week of high intensity cardio or I gain weight. I think also a lot has to do with how active you are with your "everyday" activities, too. My home & work life is not that active, so I need intense cardio to balance it out.
 
Anyway, I'm striving to look like Ahhhhnold....but I'm still in my Gumby phase.

Beavs...I just loved this!:7
 
>I usually do 6 days a week of cardio (plus I lift most days -
>different body parts obviously). Lately I have been very tired
>and I think I may need to cut back on my cardio and really
>focus on my weights. I was just curious what everyone else is
>doing...
>
>Mindy

Mindy,

My body has changed over the years. It used to be very responsive to cardio. I am 40 and have been doing cardio of various kinds since I was 15, at fairly high intensity. Now I notice that I need weight-training (3 to 4 X per week - Cathe intense) and minimal cardio to maintain/improve body shape/composition. I do OK with just 3 X 30 min per week. When I do more cardio it does not seem to make a difference to my results (body fat %). I do anywhere from 3 to 6 days of cardio per week which could range from 20 minutes to 70 minutes, depending on how busy I am. I do cardio because it is heart healthy and I enjoy it, and it counts towards overall fitness.

But I do agree with other posters that different bodies respond differently.

Also, working your body in a new way always shows dramatic results at first, unil the body adapts. There could just be a cardo intensive technique I am not aware of that could shock my system into better results.

~* Vrinda *~
 
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