Cardio....the real story

[NumberCruncher]

OK, one thing I've learned here is that I really don't know that much.  :-)

I am not a big fan of cardio.  I can do it and it doesn't bother me too much, but it's BORING!!!  So, here are a couple newbie questions about cardio.

1)  How much cardio do you do?  Meaning, how often per week, and for how long?
2)  How much cardio do I really need to do to drop my body fat?  I know the more the better, but what would you say is the minimum that I should be doing weekly?
3)  What do you all do for cardio to keep it somewhat interesting?  I have a treadmill and a heavy bag in my basement and that gives me a little variety.  Just curious what you all do.

Thanks for all your insight!!

[JohnnyCage]

I watch TV while doing cardio. I hate doing cardio too but it is a must and keeping that in mind might help motivate you. Without it, burning fat would be hard and your mass gains wont even show if your bf% is high.

[wolverine]

I am in the watching TV while doing cardio club as well.

[DerekB]

When I cut I do 5 minutes of moderate cardio after every weight workout (moderate, not intense).  Usually just a stairmaster.

On my non-weight days I do 15 minutes of High Intensity Interval Training cardio on various types of machinery.  I dont take any days completely off when I cut.

[dancerqueen]

Cardio....the real story, by dancerqueen


"IT SUCKS!!!"


It's 30-40 minutes in a day spent on a damn machine......how boring is that!

[usmc2ndreconbn]

I hate cardio also.  I usually do 15min before and 15 after workout.  I just listen to Jodies on my mp3 and go.  I do cardio 6 days a week the same as my workout.  Dancerqueen had it right though IT SUCKS!!!

[JohnnyCage]

At least she does 30 minutes, my bike is garbage and it takes me about an hour to actually build up just a little sweat.

[NumberCruncher]

Wow.  Well, I'm relieved to know I'm not the only one who hates cardio.  I think my main problem is I think of it as a 30 minute minimum block of time and another workout entirely.  It sounds like I can get enough done with about half that time each day.  That's definitely do-able.  I think I'll definitely add a 5 minute "cool down" to the end of each workout.  Then I think I can handle a 15-20 minute session in the mornings.  Some abs, some pounding on the heavy bag, some light treadmill work....I think I can handle that.

[p.s.]

In both my and QOD's worlds we NEVER do cardio in the off season EVER! Hard training and a fairly clean diet will maintain a lower BF level so that come contest time cardio is kept to minimum. In fact back when I got into this sport (1979) no one ever did cardio in fact I'm not sure that the name cardio had been invented yet!! LOL! But we all got into contest shape, so IMO one doesn't need cardio to look good but in this day and age to get really "peeled" for a show it is a necessary evil.

[JohnnyCage]

I used to use my heavy bag for cardio, but that tired out my shoulders then when shoulder day comes, I probably wasn't able to work to my best ability from that. Plus my bag gloves ripped and doing it bare handed scarred up my knuckles. Hope you dont have shit gloves 

[RJSMuscle]

Winter - 2-3 times a week, 40 min treadmill (listen to music on IPOD)

The rest of the year - Cycling, about 2000km a year

I like riding to and from the gym, gives me a good warm up and cool down...about 5km each way

[coneytt]

I too hate cardio, but i'm also 315lbs. I kills my knees, even on the low impact stuff. I try to ride the bike but my nerts urt like hell. So I just go hard and heavy with the weights w/ very little rest time and I also do moderate treadmill work, bout 5.0mph for 25-35 minutes after the workout. Seems to be helping..