Does too much cardio really cause muscle loss?

[Amy Steppe]

Dorothy

Many people who eschew cardio training aren't too fit and find it too difficult to do. Good cardio training always pushes you a little harder -- I find it much more difficult than a heavy weight sequence and I use pretty darned heavy weight.

If I did only lifting, I'd look like Humpty Dumpty!

 

[kimlav]

RE: I am with you Amy

I usually stay away from the posts that may turn controversial, however, the idea that cardiovascular training is useless and/or bad for you is total hogwash. Good grief - what next?

As Amy said, fitness involves 3 components - cardiovascualar training, weight training and flexibility.

Kim

 

[1swimom2]

RE: Dorothy

I think that just like only eating one type of food is unhealthy, doing one type of excercise is also not healthy.

Dorothy

 

[KathyH]

RE: sorry, posted in wrong place (klutz)

Hi Supplementalsecurity! I totally agree with you. I had decided to do less cardio (3 days) instead of 5 and intensifying my strength training. Well, I've gotten much more muscular and leaner. Don't take in any sugar and increased my water intake. What a difference!! But can't say I'll ever give up my Cathe cardio tapes or stop doing kickboxing. I love them far too much. Thanks for the great post on this topic. Kathy

 

[jackie7]

RE: I am going to give it a try

I am going to try and do what you did. The aerobics hasn't done too much for me and I still have alot to lose. So, you doaerobics three days and weights on two? Do you do full body weight lifting each of those days or specialize on one body part? Thanks

 

[kathryn]

Article

Who wrote the article?
Actually, I somewhat agree that weight training can be a better fat burner than aerobics, from my personal experience. When I was in grad school, I went to the school weight room 4-5 days a week, and never did any aerobics until a couple of years into things. I saw more changes in my body for the better with weights than with aerobics.

 

[donna]

RE: Article

I had my suspicions about who wrote that piece. It sounds a bit like another video instructor whose views on aerobics are very similar to those expressed in the article. She is liked by some, not cared for by others. I definitely thought of her when I read the article though.

DM

 

[kimstarr]

RE: Article

Hi Supplementalsecurity, I'm just wondering where you got this article and who wrote it??? Thank you.

Kim

 

[LauraPinWA]

RE: Article

The article reminds me of Jim Karas, the author of "The Business Plan for the Body." He advocates a regimen of 75% weights and 25% cardio for people trying to lose weight. He doesn't advocate cutting out all cardio training because it's the only way to strengthen the heart. But according to Karas you need to increase your muscle mass all over if you want to burn more fat 24/7, and that means lots of weight training.

Laura

 

[trevor]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Aug-22-01 AT 12:02PM (Est)[/font][p]A simple formula that has worked for me.
I do 90-120 mins. of cardio in my working heart range calculated using the Karvonen formula. It is intense and incorporates a spinning class and at least one interval session per week. I perform a different cardio routine every time I workout. Never 2 of the same exercise on back to back days. This keeps it fresh and challenging. On weights I do 2 exercises per bodypart, 3 sets of 10 reps or 10/8/8 reps depending on how I feel or what bodypart I am working. I rotate exercises in and out to, again, keep it fresh and challenging. I use heavy weights and very slow movements, particularly on the negative. Each bodypart gets hit once per week, except abs everyday.
I would recommend this routine if you want to be fit cardio-wise and still have a muscular, lean look. It has worked for me and I enjoy it because it is a constantly changing/evolving entity.
I believe it is possible to overdo the cardio and there is a certain required balance between weights and cardio that may depend on the individual. This, of course, is assuming you are going for a certain look. If you are sports specific..just do the sport because you enjoy it and don't worry about all the other crap that you read/see/hear, etc. I will say that people who look to eliminate one of the facets of total fitness, i.e. cardio, weights, and flexibility from their routine usually do it because it's tough to maintain all three. Let's face it....staying in good all around shape is HARD!!!! And it's supposed to be.
As far as the article above......what's the target audience?...the typical American couch potato who wants to be told he/she doesnt have to work hard to get fit? I do agree that long distance running is not that great for the joints. However, you need some type of cardio to keep the heart muscle fit. End of story.
Trevor