Is there such thing as too much cardio?

46 rep

I try and finish each workout with 30 minutes of Cardio ( running, stair master, elliptical) Does cardio everyday hurt my workout results for lifting?

If I want my muscles to get bigger should I stop doing cardio so much?

262 rep

Great question. You have to remember that cardio is separate from strength training, but you have to be aware of what main muscle groups you are working when choosing. Take for instance, if you do a lower body workout, running is working the same primary muscle group, so swimming might be a good cardio. if you do upper body workout, running would be good etc. this gives those muscles time to recover and you a maximum performance from both the workout and cardio routine. If you need any other assistance, you can make me a friend or your trainer.

Thanks,

Tiy Sheely

498 rep

MemberMurrysville, PA

From everything I've read over the years and from what my trainer has told me, I think that 30 minutes is the minimum amount of cardio recommmended, even if you are trying to build muscle. I know that when bodybuilders are trying to "lean out" they do extra cardio, because it burns fat and thus makes their muscles more defined in appearance.

My trainer has also told me that you shouldn't do any more than 45 minutes of cardio at a time. The reason is that after about that much time, your body has burned up all the available carbs/glycogen available in your system for energy, and will then start to get is energy from burning muscle. So all those young girls who get on the treadmill and run for an hour and a half ARE burning calories, but they start breaking apart their muscle tissue to use the protein for energy. So if you do too much cardio, you can actually stop losing weight. It burns up muscle, and muscle is what dictates how well our metabolism works and how well we burn fat. It raises stress hormones. It lowers your immune system, it's going to fatigue you. None of that is good, especially if you want to increase your muscle mass.

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Wow!! Maryhitt! Thanks for that great info about pushing into eating muscle when i maintain a cardio for longer times. No one had told me that. I was of the school that the longer I keep my heart rate up, the better it must be. I appreciate the info!!!

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Marryhitt, Awesome post. very informative.

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what Marryhitt said I had to learn the hard way. a bit madening

5.2k rep

AlumniJacksonville, FL

I do my resistance first while I am fresh. I do a 30 minute circuit (10 assorted machines between which are steps for half a minute, not stopping and not counting reps. Then I do some bench presses. This is about 45 - 50 minutes total. Then I have a protien drink with about 27gm of protein and the other vitimans and minerals it has (Muscle Milk powder with water). Then I do the treadmill, not for time, but for calories. When I hit 500, I can quit if I want, but I usually go a full hour if not 90 minutes. Anything less than 30 isn't very effective regarding endurance and unlike what someone else said they were told about a 45 minute rule, there is no "too much" cardio that I'm aware of. If that were true, people couldn't train for marathons. In my case, I am compensating by taking protein after my strength training and before starting the treadmill, so I am recovering from the resistance while burning more calories at the same time.

To answer your question, as long as you do your strength training first (since that seems to be your focus), you can do all the cardio you want afterward. You do need to consider taking something for recovery within an hour of your weights, regardless of how much cardio you do. I have even eaten half a turkey sandwich at times, but recovery drinks are better.

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I need to start adding weight training to my routine. I didnt realize that i could be burning muscle, running so long.

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Im going through this myself! Great info!

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MemberMurrysville, PA

BCup, if you do your cardio at an intense enough level, you might be able to reduce the time you spend on it, add your weight training, and still get out of the gym in almost same amount of time. Basically, you should be doing your cardio at a level that it is difficult to talk while doing it. if you are doing it right, you will probably be really dripping sweat when you're done. (I know, not a pretty picture, right?)

787 rep

AlumniHuntersville, NC

Someone just recently posted a response to a similar question suggesting HIIT. This high intensity interval training (google it) might seem to be your answer. Personally, I've been working out about 6 mos now and have stopped losing weight though I've increased my aerobic output i.e. not intensity. Here is a great article talking about it and suggested workouts
http://www.askmen.com/sports/bodybuilding100/135fitness_tip.html I'm starting this tomorrow...we'll see how it goes Good luck to you