Low intensity Cardio on rest days. Experiences?

[usawinston]

Anyone had any negative consequences of doing 20-30 minutes of light cardiovascular training on rest days? I understand the importance of a full rest day, but curious if I should expect hampered gains if I did 30 minutes of light elliptical, a brisk walk, a light jog or light row? I feel the elliptical and brisk walk would be my primary options. I don't feel like they would harm gains if conducted between two upper body days. I lift 3-4 times a week, but do conduct some HIIT and fast rowing and running inbdtween. Rest 1-2 a week.

[avyion12]

it should be fine. if you're doing say incline tread walking at 3.5 for 30m, you'll burn say 500 cals, and very minimal amounts coming from muscular calories. just keep it low intensity is what i'd say. otherwise your body will compensate and burn muscle after glycogen, and not fat.

Anyone had any negative consequences of doing 20-30 minutes of light cardiovascular training on rest days? I understand the importance of a full rest day, but curious if I should expect hampered gains if I did 30 minutes of light elliptical, a brisk walk, a light jog or light row? I feel the elliptical and brisk walk would be my primary options. I don't feel like they would harm gains if conducted between two upper body days. I lift 3-4 times a week, but do conduct some HIIT and fast rowing and running inbdtween. Rest 1-2 a week.

[MichaelCJ]

I do some pretty full on "cardio" on two of my non-lifting days, and it's fine. It can take a while to adjust to that, definitely. But for me, as for some others, it's worth it.

[usawinston]

it should be fine. if you're doing say incline tread walking at 3.5 for 30m, you'll burn say 500 cals, and very minimal amounts coming from muscular calories. just keep it low intensity is what i'd say. otherwise your body will compensate and burn muscle after glycogen, and not fat.

This has worked for you, and you still increase strength?

I do some pretty full on "cardio" on two of my non-lifting days, and it's fine. It can take a while to adjust to that, definitely. But for me, as for some others, it's worth it.

Do you take complete rest days?

[usawinston]

I did 20 minutes of low intensity eliptical, 10 minutes of walking. I equate the "workout" to basic ambulation most people would do in the absence of cars. I burned around 275 calories, didn't feel remotely taxed, only accomplished. I don't feel I necessarily crossed the threshold into challenging myself or my CNS.