i'm so confused about the importance of cardio and weight control. It seems like the concensus now is that we need more strength training and short cardio sessions. Currently i'm mixed pretty evenly with cardio and strength but i'm wondering if i'm just spinning my wheels in place with cardio and could benefit from even more strength training. I also would like to know what type of split do you ladies prefer (upper/lower, full body, body part, etc.) and whay type of cardio do you usually do. I tend to switch my splits each week and do a mix of steady state and interval cardio.
how much cardio do you do compared to strength training?
- Thread starter kariev
- Start date
jodijodi
Cathlete
Based on what a lot of people have said here, I tried cutting back on cardio and upping my strength training, using heavy weights and lower reps. While I enjoyed training that way, I was not happy with the results. My arms and legs got bigger, but were not well defined. Since I've gone back to more cardio and upper/lower splits with slightly lighter weights and higher reps, plus a circuit once a week, my arms are getting more defined again, and my endurance has improved.
I prefer to do step, but my foot has been bothering me lately, so I've been mixing it up with more stationary bike and kickbox.
I think this is another one of those cases where everyone's body is different, and what works for one person may not work for another.
I prefer to do step, but my foot has been bothering me lately, so I've been mixing it up with more stationary bike and kickbox.
I think this is another one of those cases where everyone's body is different, and what works for one person may not work for another.
Fitnessfreak366
Cathlete
Definitely more strength then cardio! 
Fit_mommy
Cathlete
RE: how much cardio do you do compared to strength trai...
I voted for changing it up every week. That is not entirely true as I do not change it up that often but I do switch it up when I feel the need to or just want something different.
Overall my cardio has decreased though from what I used to do. These days I pretty much lift weights 3 days per week with cardio 2-4 times per week depending on the program I am doing or what I wish to achieve with my work outs. My cardios range in length from 20-60+ minutes.
ITA that it's an individual thing. I will always suggest someone try backing off the cardio a bit if they are stuck in a plateu but it will not be the best solution for everyone.
I voted for changing it up every week. That is not entirely true as I do not change it up that often but I do switch it up when I feel the need to or just want something different.
Overall my cardio has decreased though from what I used to do. These days I pretty much lift weights 3 days per week with cardio 2-4 times per week depending on the program I am doing or what I wish to achieve with my work outs. My cardios range in length from 20-60+ minutes.
ITA that it's an individual thing. I will always suggest someone try backing off the cardio a bit if they are stuck in a plateu but it will not be the best solution for everyone.
deanie
Cathlete
RE: how much cardio do you do compared to strength trai...
Right now I am doing PS as is/ as a 3 day split with HIIT on the treadmill (20 min.) 3 days a week as my only cardio. Last month I did 4DS(2 upper body days/1 lower body day) and 30 min. cardio 3 days a week. I'm not a fan of cardio and I like how very heavy I am lifting, I also see nice muscles developing. That being said, I am looking forward to next month when I will do 4 days cardio (20-60 min) and 2 days full body. I think mixing it up like this will make me more defined (what I'm looking for)
Deanie
Right now I am doing PS as is/ as a 3 day split with HIIT on the treadmill (20 min.) 3 days a week as my only cardio. Last month I did 4DS(2 upper body days/1 lower body day) and 30 min. cardio 3 days a week. I'm not a fan of cardio and I like how very heavy I am lifting, I also see nice muscles developing. That being said, I am looking forward to next month when I will do 4 days cardio (20-60 min) and 2 days full body. I think mixing it up like this will make me more defined (what I'm looking for)
Deanie
RE: how much cardio do you do compared to strength trai...
Strength train - 2 days a week (splits)
Cardio - 3 days a week plus 3-4 brisk 40-50 minute walks a week. It's been almost a year since I've done a cardio circuit workout (probably because I haven't worked out with videos in almost a year).
Carolyn
Strength train - 2 days a week (splits)
Cardio - 3 days a week plus 3-4 brisk 40-50 minute walks a week. It's been almost a year since I've done a cardio circuit workout (probably because I haven't worked out with videos in almost a year).
Carolyn
MSJ
Cathlete
RE: how much cardio do you do compared to strength trai...
Honestly--I really think it depends on what works for you. Our bodies are all different and respond differently to different routines.
For me, "fat burning" endurance type rotations are always disappointing, although they sound good and work fabulously for some women.
The best and quickest results I ever had were 2 summers ago when I was recovering from achilles tendonitis and could hardly do any cardio. I did one body part per day of extremely heavy weights (ditched Cathe and worked out with dh in the garage). I was also religiously following Eat to Live--that's what worked for me.
But, since I love cardio, I tend to do about half and half cardio and weights (at least when I'm not pregnant--I'm kind of limited to what I feel like I can do for the day right now)
Keep experimenting--I don't think this is a one size fits all kind of deal--and when you find what works for you please post it!
Maggie
Honestly--I really think it depends on what works for you. Our bodies are all different and respond differently to different routines.
For me, "fat burning" endurance type rotations are always disappointing, although they sound good and work fabulously for some women.
The best and quickest results I ever had were 2 summers ago when I was recovering from achilles tendonitis and could hardly do any cardio. I did one body part per day of extremely heavy weights (ditched Cathe and worked out with dh in the garage). I was also religiously following Eat to Live--that's what worked for me.
But, since I love cardio, I tend to do about half and half cardio and weights (at least when I'm not pregnant--I'm kind of limited to what I feel like I can do for the day right now)
Keep experimenting--I don't think this is a one size fits all kind of deal--and when you find what works for you please post it!
Maggie
randidiane
Cathlete
RE: how much cardio do you do compared to strength trai...
only do cardio 2-3 days a week. more strenght training for me
Randi
only do cardio 2-3 days a week. more strenght training for me
Randi
CollinsMom
Cathlete
It varies, but I voted for equal cardio and lifting.
thinsgreat
Cathlete
interesting article in new muscle fit/hers--- anount of cardi/weight training depends on body type--- explained well
mrsmel
Cathlete
I've changed things fairly recently and now I'm doing about even cardio and weights. I'm a cardio queen, but I love how strong heavy lifting makes me feel. So, I've been doing:
Day 1: Upper body
Day 2: HIIT cardio, 20 mins
Day 3: Lower body
Day 4: Cardio, either HIIT or 30-40 mins steady state
Day 5: Circuit
Day 6: Stretching or yoga
It's worked really well for me. I'm down a size after about a month, but I've also been extremely careful about my eating. Since I'm liking it so much, I'm sticking with it for a little longer. Then I'll change things up, but I usually follow a routine of 3 days weights, 3 days cardio.
anne
Day 1: Upper body
Day 2: HIIT cardio, 20 mins
Day 3: Lower body
Day 4: Cardio, either HIIT or 30-40 mins steady state
Day 5: Circuit
Day 6: Stretching or yoga
It's worked really well for me. I'm down a size after about a month, but I've also been extremely careful about my eating. Since I'm liking it so much, I'm sticking with it for a little longer. Then I'll change things up, but I usually follow a routine of 3 days weights, 3 days cardio.
anne
Miss Lee
Cathlete
I have done a complete 180 here. I tended to focus my workouts on strength training with very little cardio because I hated cardio with a passion! After I got my elliptical and discovered audio guided workouts (especially Cardio Coach), that all changed. Now I'm enjoying the cardio and I often blow off the weights. What I need to do is strike a balance, and THAT is something I'm not good at.
lioness
Cathlete
I voted for changing it up every week. My body actually responds better to more cardio. Lately, however, I have been doing kettlebell and crossfit type workouts so I feel that sometimes I getting equal parts of both. I'm actually getting better results right now than doing pure weight workouts.
lainiefig
Cathlete
I think cardio helps me lose weight, but strength training really helps me lose actual inches. I like what someone else said that we are all different and you have to experiment. I feel best with a balance of the two, myself: 3 days weights, 3 days strength.
[font face="comic sans ms" font color=green]***Lainie***
fitness blog: http://fitnessfig.blogspot.com
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[font face="comic sans ms" font color=green]***Lainie***
fitness blog: http://fitnessfig.blogspot.com
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"If you want to give God a good laugh, tell Her your plans."[/font]