• FreeTrainers.com Forums
• Beginners to Exercise
• Question RE: cardio

Group: Beginners to Exercise

Question RE: cardio

freddiemarsh Posts: 21 Joined: 2004/11/04	2004/11/04, 11:16 PM Hey, I just got back from the gym. I bought my membership and then I just started off slow and did 20 minutes or cardio (bike). I prefer the cross-trainers but they were all being used and I didn’t want to wait. I’ll go again tomorrow and up it to 25. My question is when I start my actual FT 8 week program starting on Monday, should I being doing cardio in addition? And if so, should I do it before or after I do the weights? And on my free days, should I do cardio? I really want to get in shape fast so any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! PS...Carivan, thanks for posting your 8 week results. Very motivating! :)
pimple Posts: 490 Joined: 2003/07/08	2004/11/04, 11:18 PM the best thing you can do is NOT do cardio and weights the same day... really... chances are you'll be stepping backwards at the end of the day... if you absolutely MUST do them both on the same day, keep them 6-8 hours apart, but for best results, keep them on different days... good luck! -------------- The following sentence is true. The previous sentence is false.
princesslodgey Posts: 1,748 Joined: 2004/02/21	2004/11/05, 04:37 AM How often are you doing weights? How often can you get to the gym? As pimple said, ideally cardio on a different day to weights is best, but if you have only just started working out, and it's hard to get to the gym everyday or twice a day, then doing a brief cardio session (20-25 minutes) after weights should be ok. If you are weight training different body parts on different days then it's probably best not to do cardio immediately after training legs. Good luck and welcome to FT
freddiemarsh Posts: 21 Joined: 2004/11/04	2004/11/05, 02:29 PM Hey, thanks for the comments. I actually didn’t know that I shouldn’t do cardio and weights on the same day. Good to know. I’m doing the 3 day/week FT program, but I’m planning on going to the gym 5-6 times a week and on the off days I’ll do cardio. Unfortunately I can’t make it to the gym more than once a day.
princesslodgey Posts: 1,748 Joined: 2004/02/21	2004/11/06, 07:33 AM You should be doing cardio 3 times a week minimum, so if you only make it 5 times a week to the gym you are better doing a brief cardio workout after one of your weight sessions than not at all. The problem with doing cardio on the same day as weights is that it can sometimes limit the amount of muscle you build (becuase you're using energy on the cardio instead of to build muscle). This is more of a problem for people who have been working out for a while. It is important to still do your cardio workouts as lifting weights does not have the same benefits for your cardiovascular health that cardio does.
freddiemarsh Posts: 21 Joined: 2004/11/04	2004/11/06, 12:52 PM Thanks for the explanation princesslodgey. Now that I don't have to do cardio and weights on the same day it will make my work outs realatively short so I won't mind going 6 days a week.
slippery_chimp Posts: 58 Joined: 2004/10/21	2004/11/06, 08:34 PM although if you want lose fat I read a recent study (sorry cant find the link) that suggested cardio after weights was the most beneficial combination, but as the guys above say, not good if your wanting to become the next Mr Universe --------------