Most effective cardio

Curlingcadys · 01-02-2005, 10:52 AM

1st off I'd like to say I compare doing cardio with rolling in broken glass and then taking a bath in alcohol.

Now with that said I do know its a must durring cutting so I would like to know what is the most effective cardio, is there one activity that is "better" than the other or would doing anyone of these prove effective. Thanks for any feedback.

Robin Hood · 01-02-2005, 11:03 AM

I find the eliptical machine is the best cuz its low impact, and I burn the most calories on it and work up the biggest sweat. Although the stationary bike is good after a leg day when you don't have any strength left in your legs to support your body weight

Pumpster · 01-02-2005, 01:24 PM

Stairmaster's slightly more effective than an elliptical, but is also more gruelling.

Curlingcadys · 01-02-2005, 01:29 PM

Thanks for the feedback I wasn't sure if one was better than the other, or if they all were good for burning as long has you got your heart rate up and your sweat pouring.

DeadBolt · 01-02-2005, 01:37 PM

I enjoy the eliptical the most and that is basicly my cardio staple. I hate treadmills but if thats the only option I will sacrfifice.

Cardio isn't always needed to lose weight...its mostly in the diet...to get very low body fat % though you def need cardio. Last year I got to 9%bf with no cardio.

Du · 01-02-2005, 01:40 PM

I dont think which machine you use really changes things. Its all about what type of cardio. Like, HIIT vs Max-OT Cardio. Traditional cardio, etc etc.

You can do any of those on any machine.

Curling - Definitely run a search on HIIT and Max-OT Cardio. Those are your best bets.

And like Deadbolt said, cardio isnt NECESSARY, but it does help a hell of a lot.

BigDyl · 01-02-2005, 01:42 PM

I like Taebo, because I can act like im kicking peoples asses while burning calories.

Du · 01-02-2005, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDyl

I like Taebo, because I can act like im kicking peoples asses while burning calories.

You just like Billy Blanks.

Pumpster · 01-02-2005, 01:55 PM

Main thing it to do 20 or more continuous minutes. All are effective, though i'd say the bike's less so because you're seated and there are less muscles and exhertion involved, unless you're spinning which is more challenging. Tae Bo's very good but isn't aerobics; doesn't provide the consistency that cardio requires even though the heart rate's heightened.

DeadBolt · 01-02-2005, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpster

Main thing it to do 20 or more continuous minutes. All are effective, though i'd say the bike's less so because you're seated and there are less muscles and exhertion involved, unless you're spinning which is more challenging. Tae Bo's very good but isn't aerobics; doesn't provide the consistency that cardio requires even though the heart rate's heightened.

Just as long as your heart rate is up your going to burn more calories. The bike does fine you just need to put alot more effort into raising your heart rate to a desired level.

Pumpster · 01-02-2005, 03:07 PM

Precisely and as mentioned. Bike riding's more comfortable, but is not on the level of the others unless it's done with particular rigor..

BigDyl · 01-02-2005, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by du510

You just like Billy Blanks.

JLB001 · 01-02-2005, 04:39 PM

Stairmaster, Stairmill and the treadmill for me. Only thing that targets my legs and butt the most.

ShannonC_77 · 01-02-2005, 05:47 PM

Whichever one you like the best, cuz then your most likely to do it!

Du · 01-02-2005, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShannonC_77

Whichever one you like the best, cuz then your most likely to do it!

Thats the best answer yet.

Good call.

DeadBolt · 01-02-2005, 06:28 PM

What if you hate cardio all together LOL....or am I the only guilty one. I just do it b/c I have to.

RoeCyris · 01-02-2005, 06:54 PM

What worked best for myself was doing HIIT (High Intensity Interval Traning) on the bike mostly. But you can do it any number of ways, for me thoa, i prefered the bike because it was easiest to do that while listening to music and it was easiest to monitor just exactly how much more i was doing during the high intestity part and how much less i was doing during the medium intensity part, if that makes sense. But keep in mind you should ignore the calorie burned read-out cuz its shit, especially if your doing HIIT.

Curlingcadys · 01-02-2005, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeadBolt

What if you hate cardio all together LOL....or am I the only guilty one. I just do it b/c I have to.

I'm with ya on that one!

Pumpster · 01-03-2005, 07:11 AM

Interval training on any exercise is a great way to reduce the boredom factor while at the same time it's supposed to burn calories more effectively. Spinning's along the same lines.

Tha Don · 01-03-2005, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpster

Main thing it to do 20 or more continuous minutes.

no way!

my cardio sessions last between 12 and 14 mins, and are extremely high intense (HIIT style), run 1:30, sprint flat out :30 repeat 6-7 times

very effective stuff, i'm sweating all morning after this, if i can get up to 15 mins that means i'm not running fast enough and next session i up the levels

IMO its the only way to do cardio, certainly the most effective

peace

Pumpster · 01-03-2005, 10:22 AM

Sounds excellent, but duration's as or more important than intensity. You're getting half a loaf and kidding yourself to some extent. High intensity work like sprinting's awesome for fat burning, but doesn't maximize cardio.

Interval training would combine what you're doing with periods of medium and lesser intensity to elevate the heart rate for longer periods, plus it would allow for more than one bout of the maximum exertion you're now doing; try it.

chunky34 · 01-03-2005, 10:34 AM

I love all type of cardio, except the one who are high impact, like treadmill.

As for type of cardio, you need to know couple of things. For fat loss, HIIT and traditionnal (low-mid intensity cardio) are both great. The difference is that HIIT cardio should be treat like a workout, therefore have something to eat before and after, because HIIT cardio is highly catabolic, like a training session. However, low intensity cardio can be done when you wake up or after a weight training session, for about 20-25 min, and burn fat effectively. Since the intensity is pretty low, it will not eat muscle to provide energy (cortisol level will remain pretty much the same during cardio). You are then oxidizing FFA in circulation, therefore burning fat.

**calalily1972** · 01-03-2005, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by young d

no way!

my cardio sessions last between 12 and 14 mins, and are extremely high intense (HIIT style), run 1:30, sprint flat out :30 repeat 6-7 times

very effective stuff, i'm sweating all morning after this, if i can get up to 15 mins that means i'm not running fast enough and next session i up the levels

IMO its the only way to do cardio, certainly the most effective

peace

Effective as in fat loss sure but not the most effective for cardiovascular health.

For the record, I hate cardio witha passion but it has it's place and is needed for health and fat loss.

Pumpster · 01-03-2005, 10:40 AM

Exactly.

The other thing that worries me about HIIT is the detrimental effect on the central nervous system. Nice way to burn out unless you're Type A+. Probably best to use it only on some days in combination with traditional lower-intensity work to avoid this and to optimize cardio.

Boring for sure, upside is that as you get better at it, it becomes easier and less gruelling, so the time goes by faster once your body becomes more efficient. Kind of get used to it.

JLB001 · 01-03-2005, 10:41 AM

I HATE CARDIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. It sucks the Big one!!!

Curlingcadys · 01-03-2005, 06:49 PM

awesome feedback thanks guys and gals!! Ofcourse going for biggest fat loss route, as far as cario health well I'm a smoker AND I LOVE IT!! (Even though you guys are gonna flame the shit out of me but oh well.) but I can still manage to run my 3miles every other day on average of 19min 36sec which is just fine for me. Which leads me to my next question in a weeks time I'm running 9miles total am working against myself bulking dramaticly? I know its not helping for bulking purposes but I'm not sure if its working against me A LOT. My gains streng and mass are still deceant nothing to rapid but they haven't stopped either. thanks again

chunky34 · 01-03-2005, 08:29 PM

IF you want to bulk while doing cardio, just eat more. It shouldnt be a problem to gain weight even if you do cardio.

Curlingcadys · 01-03-2005, 08:55 PM

I never used to do cardio when I was trying to bulk however usually half way through my bulking period I've always noticed my mid section getting more and more "jelly" like and by the end of it my abs were almost non existant then when I'd cut I go crazy on the cardio, virtually drop all supplement intake ie: creatine and protein shakes,but I would take hydroxy cut, and cut my diet down and it would still take damn near a solid 2 months just to get my abs back. FRUSTERATING, so now I've stuck with cardio bulking or not cause even though without I was probably building more muscle the whole getting fat or appearing to be getting fat while bulking disgusted me. By the way for future reference/general knowledge is it recommended to drop your creatines/proteins while cutting? or doesn't it matter?

G-man · 01-03-2005, 09:15 PM

I like my recumbent bike because 1st thing in the morning Im half asleep and I can almost sleep & pedal at the same time.
Or maybe Im just asleep dreaming Im pedalling.

DeadBolt · 01-04-2005, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-man

I like my recumbent bike because 1st thing in the morning Im half asleep and I can almost sleep & pedal at the same time.
Or maybe Im just asleep dreaming Im pedalling.

And you wonder why you can't shed those damn pounds dreams aren't real lol.

View Poll Results: most effective cardio
exercise bike	11	9.65%
running (treadmill)	48	42.11%
aerobics (tae bo ect..)	8	7.02%
stair master type machines	18	15.79%
a mix of all of them, explain	29	25.44%
Voters: 114. You may not vote on this poll

01-02-2005, 10:52 AM	#1
Curlingcadys Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: WI Posts: 631	Most effective cardio 1st off I'd like to say I compare doing cardio with rolling in broken glass and then taking a bath in alcohol. Now with that said I do know its a must durring cutting so I would like to know what is the most effective cardio, is there one activity that is "better" than the other or would doing anyone of these prove effective. Thanks for any feedback.

01-02-2005, 11:03 AM	#2
Robin Hood Shut up and train! Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 280 Photos: 13	I find the eliptical machine is the best cuz its low impact, and I burn the most calories on it and work up the biggest sweat. Although the stationary bike is good after a leg day when you don't have any strength left in your legs to support your body weight If you don't risk anything, you risk even more!

01-02-2005, 01:37 PM	#5
DeadBolt MP Minister of Pain! Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ocean County NJ Posts: 7,459	I enjoy the eliptical the most and that is basicly my cardio staple. I hate treadmills but if thats the only option I will sacrfifice. Cardio isn't always needed to lose weight...its mostly in the diet...to get very low body fat % though you def need cardio. Last year I got to 9%bf with no cardio. "Only in dictionaries does SUCCESS come before WORK." -Alfred K. Henderson Today I do what others will not so thats tomorrow I can do what others cannot!

01-02-2005, 01:40 PM	#6
Du Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: London, UK Posts: 4,087 Photos: 5	I dont think which machine you use really changes things. Its all about what type of cardio. Like, HIIT vs Max-OT Cardio. Traditional cardio, etc etc. You can do any of those on any machine. Curling - Definitely run a search on HIIT and Max-OT Cardio. Those are your best bets. And like Deadbolt said, cardio isnt NECESSARY, but it does help a hell of a lot. My IronMag Journal

01-02-2005, 01:24 PM	#3
Pumpster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 106 Photos: 3	Stairmaster's slightly more effective than an elliptical, but is also more gruelling.

01-02-2005, 01:29 PM	#4
Curlingcadys Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: WI Posts: 631	Thanks for the feedback I wasn't sure if one was better than the other, or if they all were good for burning as long has you got your heart rate up and your sweat pouring.

01-02-2005, 01:55 PM	#9
Pumpster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 106 Photos: 3	Main thing it to do 20 or more continuous minutes. All are effective, though i'd say the bike's less so because you're seated and there are less muscles and exhertion involved, unless you're spinning which is more challenging. Tae Bo's very good but isn't aerobics; doesn't provide the consistency that cardio requires even though the heart rate's heightened.

01-02-2005, 03:07 PM	#11
Pumpster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 106 Photos: 3	Precisely and as mentioned. Bike riding's more comfortable, but is not on the level of the others unless it's done with particular rigor..

01-02-2005, 04:39 PM	#13
JLB001 I see YOU!! Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 8,293 Photos: 5	Stairmaster, Stairmill and the treadmill for me. Only thing that targets my legs and butt the most. "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on."

01-02-2005, 05:47 PM	#14
ShannonC_77 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 43	Whichever one you like the best, cuz then your most likely to do it!

01-02-2005, 06:28 PM	#16
DeadBolt MP Minister of Pain! Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ocean County NJ Posts: 7,459	What if you hate cardio all together LOL....or am I the only guilty one. I just do it b/c I have to. "Only in dictionaries does SUCCESS come before WORK." -Alfred K. Henderson Today I do what others will not so thats tomorrow I can do what others cannot!

01-02-2005, 06:54 PM	#17
RoeCyris Breathe Deep, Yungbuck. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Germantown, MD Posts: 45	What worked best for myself was doing HIIT (High Intensity Interval Traning) on the bike mostly. But you can do it any number of ways, for me thoa, i prefered the bike because it was easiest to do that while listening to music and it was easiest to monitor just exactly how much more i was doing during the high intestity part and how much less i was doing during the medium intensity part, if that makes sense. But keep in mind you should ignore the calorie burned read-out cuz its shit, especially if your doing HIIT.

01-03-2005, 07:11 AM	#19
Pumpster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 106 Photos: 3	Interval training on any exercise is a great way to reduce the boredom factor while at the same time it's supposed to burn calories more effectively. Spinning's along the same lines. Last edited by Pumpster : 01-03-2005 at 10:20 AM.

01-03-2005, 10:22 AM	#21
Pumpster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 106 Photos: 3	Sounds excellent, but duration's as or more important than intensity. You're getting half a loaf and kidding yourself to some extent. High intensity work like sprinting's awesome for fat burning, but doesn't maximize cardio. Interval training would combine what you're doing with periods of medium and lesser intensity to elevate the heart rate for longer periods, plus it would allow for more than one bout of the maximum exertion you're now doing; try it.

01-03-2005, 10:34 AM	#22
chunky34 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 103	I love all type of cardio, except the one who are high impact, like treadmill. As for type of cardio, you need to know couple of things. For fat loss, HIIT and traditionnal (low-mid intensity cardio) are both great. The difference is that HIIT cardio should be treat like a workout, therefore have something to eat before and after, because HIIT cardio is highly catabolic, like a training session. However, low intensity cardio can be done when you wake up or after a weight training session, for about 20-25 min, and burn fat effectively. Since the intensity is pretty low, it will not eat muscle to provide energy (cortisol level will remain pretty much the same during cardio). You are then oxidizing FFA in circulation, therefore burning fat. God bless Use the discount code JFA999 for 5% discount on trueprotein.com orders.

01-03-2005, 10:40 AM	#24
Pumpster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 106 Photos: 3	Exactly. The other thing that worries me about HIIT is the detrimental effect on the central nervous system. Nice way to burn out unless you're Type A+. Probably best to use it only on some days in combination with traditional lower-intensity work to avoid this and to optimize cardio. Boring for sure, upside is that as you get better at it, it becomes easier and less gruelling, so the time goes by faster once your body becomes more efficient. Kind of get used to it.

01-03-2005, 10:41 AM	#25
JLB001 I see YOU!! Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 8,293 Photos: 5	I HATE CARDIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. It sucks the Big one!!! "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on."

01-03-2005, 06:49 PM	#26
Curlingcadys Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: WI Posts: 631	awesome feedback thanks guys and gals!! Ofcourse going for biggest fat loss route, as far as cario health well I'm a smoker AND I LOVE IT!! (Even though you guys are gonna flame the shit out of me but oh well.) but I can still manage to run my 3miles every other day on average of 19min 36sec which is just fine for me. Which leads me to my next question in a weeks time I'm running 9miles total am working against myself bulking dramaticly? I know its not helping for bulking purposes but I'm not sure if its working against me A LOT. My gains streng and mass are still deceant nothing to rapid but they haven't stopped either. thanks again

01-03-2005, 08:29 PM	#27
chunky34 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 103	IF you want to bulk while doing cardio, just eat more. It shouldnt be a problem to gain weight even if you do cardio. God bless Use the discount code JFA999 for 5% discount on trueprotein.com orders.

01-03-2005, 08:55 PM	#28
Curlingcadys Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: WI Posts: 631	I never used to do cardio when I was trying to bulk however usually half way through my bulking period I've always noticed my mid section getting more and more "jelly" like and by the end of it my abs were almost non existant then when I'd cut I go crazy on the cardio, virtually drop all supplement intake ie: creatine and protein shakes,but I would take hydroxy cut, and cut my diet down and it would still take damn near a solid 2 months just to get my abs back. FRUSTERATING, so now I've stuck with cardio bulking or not cause even though without I was probably building more muscle the whole getting fat or appearing to be getting fat while bulking disgusted me. By the way for future reference/general knowledge is it recommended to drop your creatines/proteins while cutting? or doesn't it matter?

01-03-2005, 09:15 PM	#29
G-man Rehabing to the Max Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 100	I like my recumbent bike because 1st thing in the morning Im half asleep and I can almost sleep & pedal at the same time. Or maybe Im just asleep dreaming Im pedalling.

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