Best Cardio?

DUMB BELLE · 01-29-2009, 10:35 AM

After this past Christmas holiday I really do need to incorporate some cardio....*sigh*.

So I've been doing about 40 minutes of cardio on my non-weight days 2/3 times a week.
Usually do about 60%-80% of my MHR and occassionally throw in some HITT workouts for good measure.
I completely HATE cardio and since I have a limited attention span I "jump" machines to prevent myself from getting completely bored outta my mind.
eg: 20 minutes - corss trainer, 10 minutes - rowing, 10 minutes cycling. I do this with no rest inbetween so that my heart rate doesn't drop when I jump from machine to machine.

My question is this: Which is the BEST form of cardio for fat loss? Is there one?
Should I be doing just ONE form of cardio on a day? Or is my machine hopping ok?

My fiance is convinced that rowing is the LEAST effective form of cardio.
(He can't explain why, though!!!!)
IS this true?

Any thoughts?

beby24 · 01-29-2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DUMB BELLE

After this past Christmas holiday I really do need to incorporate some cardio....*sigh*.

So I've been doing about 40 minutes of cardio on my non-weight days 2/3 times a week.
Usually do about 60%-80% of my MHR and occassionally throw in some HITT workouts for good measure.
I completely HATE cardio and since I have a limited attention span I "jump" machines to prevent myself from getting completely bored outta my mind.
eg: 20 minutes - corss trainer, 10 minutes - rowing, 10 minutes cycling. I do this with no rest inbetween so that my heart rate doesn't drop when I jump from machine to machine.

My question is this: Which is the BEST form of cardio for fat loss? Is there one?
Should I be doing just ONE form of cardio on a day? Or is my machine hopping ok?

My fiance is convinced that rowing is the LEAST effective form of cardio.
(He can't explain why, though!!!!)
IS this true?

Any thoughts?

I think they are all good for you. Sure HIIT may burn more fat but you can't do it every day.
Take a look at this article. I thought it was very helpful
http://www.figureathlete.com/free_on...rdio_conundrum

healthy525 · 01-29-2009, 10:56 AM

wow what an incredible article!!! thanks so much!

also, in your opinion, would you say HIIT is okay to perform just on your NON strength training days??? this article shows HIIT (or intervals) on the days in which one would do strength training! I dunno if i could do that and then do interval training for 30 mins! what do you think?

beby24 · 01-29-2009, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by healthy525

wow what an incredible article!!! thanks so much!

also, in your opinion, would you say HIIT is okay to perform just on your NON strength training days??? this article shows HIIT (or intervals) on the days in which one would do strength training! I dunno if i could do that and then do interval training for 30 mins! what do you think?

I guess this is a matter of personal opinion. I have done weight training follow by 20 min of HIIT. It just depends. Like on a leg day, no way in hell I can do HIIT after. I dont think the article necessarly says to do HIIT always followed by weights.
I also don't personally like to do HIIT the following day if I had a weight training day becuase for me it burns me out. You may need that non training day to recover from your training day. I have done it in the past and found that not resting and doing too much HIIT and weight training eventually burns me out. Thats were the steady state cardio comes in handy in my opinion.

Or if I am doing a light workout, then its ideal to add some HIIT right after.

ohlittlecourt · 01-29-2009, 02:55 PM

It is totally possible to do a HIIT circuit after you've weight trained. The key here is, make sure you lift first, then complete your HIIT. It'll be a tough day, that's why we don't do it every day. You wouldn't want to complete HIIT first, as it will take away from your form and your capacity to lift effectively. But lifting first allows the blood to start pumping, actually making it a great warm-up for HIIT.

Shea125 · 01-29-2009, 07:13 PM

The best cardio is the cardio you actually do. Your guy is full of it - rowing is fine, great total body. Jumping machines is good too, wakes your body up and keeps you interested mentally. Unless you're training for a specific event, go crazy with your cardio options.

SuzMax · 01-29-2009, 09:03 PM

I do a lot of HIIT, probably more than I should, and I do most of my workouts in the mornings before work. I always lift first and then do cardio. I usually do an hour of cardio 4-5 days a week - I shoot for 5. I know that I do too much cardio. I try not to do HIIT on leg days (I do legs twice a week), but that's just not always possible. My weight days are pre-planned each week and sometimes I just don't plan my cardio as well. So I guess it WOULD be possible if I planned better. Anyway, my point is that you can do HIIT on the same days that you lift, just plan for a tough day and know that you'll be more tired during your HIIT. Of course it all depends on your goals. I'm pretty sure I'd build more muscle if I didn't turn around and burn it all right back off.

And to help beat the cardio boredom, you might try something like Cardio Coach workouts (www.cardiocoach.com). They are audio workouts and you can use them for the treadmill, elliptical, bike, whatever. They really help me pass the time on the elliptical. And they're tough HIIT workouts.

healthy525 · 01-30-2009, 07:54 AM

what would the benefits be of doing HIIT after a weight training day. I would think that you would devote HIIT to just your cardio days that way ur full enegry could be focused on that. I know HIIT is do-able on the weight training days of course! I guess i am just used to SS cardio after weight training. If i want to lose body fat would HIIT after weight training be most beneficial? YEsterday was just a cardio day for me, so I tried HIIT running for 40 mins. It was awesome.

thanks for the advice!

beby24 · 01-30-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by healthy525

what would the benefits be of doing HIIT after a weight training day. I would think that you would devote HIIT to just your cardio days that way ur full enegry could be focused on that. I know HIIT is do-able on the weight training days of course! I guess i am just used to SS cardio after weight training. If i want to lose body fat would HIIT after weight training be most beneficial? YEsterday was just a cardio day for me, so I tried HIIT running for 40 mins. It was awesome.

thanks for the advice!

My personal opinion.....

I would not say is most beneficial as all cardio has its place. However you are more likely to hurt your self doing HIIT after lets say a huge leg day or back day. You would be more tired and your form may lack. Its not impossible to do HIIT, however the worse thing is to get hurt and then not being able to train for weeks due to injury or rehab.

If you have a good weight training workout your are more likely to deplete glycogen, with is the bodys primary sorce of energy after that it will go to the stored fat, which is why most people recommend doing cardio after a work out. So that is the benefit of doing HIIT or any cardio after working out.

Do what you can, something is always better than doing nothing. Everyone you talk to will have an opinion of what works for them.

ToraAdams · 01-31-2009, 08:10 AM

YOU LOOK FANTASTIC!!!!

Yea I think your cooko for doing so much cardio but I know from expereince when I don't get in cardio I go cookoo!!! lol

malditoyanki · 02-02-2009, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shea125

The best cardio is the cardio you actually do. Your guy is full of it - rowing is fine, great total body. Jumping machines is good too, wakes your body up and keeps you interested mentally. Unless you're training for a specific event, go crazy with your cardio options.

I love everything about this post.