Working in Cardio

[pterry0404]

Hey everyone,

I have been doing a power lifting routine for a little over a year now, have had some really great results and am very happy with my body. The entire reason I started power lifting is because I wanted to focus on being healthy and strong rather than just looking big. Now, I would like to continue to work on my health and would like to incorporate cardio into my work out routine. Does anyone have advice/experience for doing this?

Here is my routine (I just alternate between A and B every workout and go 3 days a week):
Workout A
Squat
Bench
Bent-over Row
Abs (20 min)

Workout B
Squat
Overhead Press
Dead lift
Abs (20 min)

My initial idea is to replace abs with cardio for one of the workouts and just continue alternating.

Thanks!

Patrick

[mcapote3]

I do cardio on my rest days, call them active rest days. tuesday, thursday, saturday I do cardio and mon wed fri i do lifting. sunday I sleep.

[Sebsmash14]

I like to do fasted cardio in the morning, but know a lot of people who do theirs after working out.
Probably best just to put in on rest days

[ecchastang]

I think you have several options. Getting rid of 20 min of abs for cardio, expecially HIIT could be very productive, as well as doing some on your non-lifting days.

[OldBobScoo]

I like doing cardio on my off days. Walking/sprinting with the prowler are my favs. If you dont have a prowler, do some hill sprints. If you dont have any hills, find a parking garage.

[tom11]

Just do some light walking in the town or hike/bike around the country, enjoy life man! HIIT, sprints, prowler and sled dragging are nice but they can potentially hinder your recovery while some light cardio can actually make you recover faster.

[bigfor15]

Just do some light walking in the town or hike/bike around the country, enjoy life man! HIIT, sprints, prowler and sled dragging are nice but they can potentially hinder your recovery while some light cardio can actually make you recover faster.

I agree.

Prowler pushes and hill sprints are usually combined with my conditioning, separate from strongman events. I might have a single session with 20 minutes of anaerobic drills and then call it a day, and most of the time I perform that session after my press day. I'm HUGE on NERPA (non-exercise related physical activity), though. I love hiking, biking, and simply being outdoors. If you look at the net effect of just being active, it by far trumps trying to fit in 2 20 minute sessions a week.

[kirblypuff]

Have you tried looking into barbell complexes? My personal favorite is The Bear but a quick google search will show you lots of options. I do them after a workout and I think they're loads of fun. Plus they're really time-efficient and noticeably improve my conditioning.

[eatcravemove]

Hey everyone,

I have been doing a power lifting routine for a little over a year now, have had some really great results and am very happy with my body. The entire reason I started power lifting is because I wanted to focus on being healthy and strong rather than just looking big. Now, I would like to continue to work on my health and would like to incorporate cardio into my work out routine. Does anyone have advice/experience for doing this?

Here is my routine (I just alternate between A and B every workout and go 3 days a week):
Workout A
Squat
Bench
Bent-over Row
Abs (20 min)

Workout B
Squat
Overhead Press
Dead lift
Abs (20 min)

My initial idea is to replace abs with cardio for one of the workouts and just continue alternating.

Thanks!

Patrick

I personally would do cardio on a non-lifting day to start out. I myself am doing the 5x5 program and run on non-lifting days.

If you haven't been running, then make sure to only increase your mileage by 10%/week. Start with a walk/run for 20 minutes each workout until you can run for the entire 20 minutes.

[runtocatch]

Just do some light walking in the town or hike/bike around the country, enjoy life man! HIIT, sprints, prowler and sled dragging are nice but they can potentially hinder your recovery while some light cardio can actually make you recover faster.

I agree.

Prowler pushes and hill sprints are usually combined with my conditioning, separate from strongman events. I might have a single session with 20 minutes of anaerobic drills and then call it a day, and most of the time I perform that session after my press day. I'm HUGE on NERPA (non-exercise related physical activity), though. I love hiking, biking, and simply being outdoors. If you look at the net effect of just being active, it by far trumps trying to fit in 2 20 minute sessions a week.

This!