Time vs. Resistance

[david672]

On my Ellipitical Trainer I am doing 30 minutes at level 3, would it be better to do 20 minutes at level 4?

My goal for this machine is to help be with the cardio workout and lose a little weight.

After doing the Elliptical I do some weight training.

 

[BoneCrusher]

Sustaining a higher heart rate for a longer period of time is the idea behind cardio. The trick is to get the right levels for your body so that you do not overstress your self too early and run out of gas. Getting dizzy and over heated are the signs that I look for when I push myself. I stay just under those signs as I increase my values or change my routine.

I'm 44 and still hang with the youngsters so this must be working for me ...

Are you lifting for muscle/strength gains or just the cardio and weight loss?

 

[LAM]

On my Ellipitical Trainer I am doing 30 minutes at level 3, would it be better to do 20 minutes at level 4?

My goal for this machine is to help be with the cardio workout and lose a little weight.

After doing the Elliptical I do some weight training.

first you need to start doing the cardio after the resistance training. and for fat loss you want to try to do more cardio in a shorter amount of time at a high intensity. that is how you increase your VO2Max which in turn will enable your body to oxidize more fatty acids after the cardio training session.

example - week 1, doing 20 minutes at level 4 you go for 3 miles. the following week you want to aim for 3.25 miles at level 5.

 

[david672]

Are you lifting for muscle/strength gains or just the cardio and weight loss?

I'm lifting to gain muscle tone and if I lose a little weight that's ok.

 

[david672]

first you need to start doing the cardio after the resistance training. and for fat loss you want to try to do more cardio in a shorter amount of time at a high intensity. that is how you increase your VO2Max which in turn will enable your body to oxidize more fatty acids after the cardio training session.

example - week 1, doing 20 minutes at level 4 you go for 3 miles. the following week you want to aim for 3.25 miles at level 5.

Wow...I never thought there was a difference if I did the cardio before or after the resistance training.

Thanks!

 

[CowPimp]

Wow...I never thought there was a difference if I did the cardio before or after the resistance training.

Thanks!

If you do cardio immediately after resistance training, but before eating, then fat loss is maximized. This is because your muscle glycogen is depleted and your body is in a catabolic state. Therefore, your body must resort to fat stores for additional energy.

 

[david672]

Thanks guys for the tip on doing the Cardio AFTER the Resistance training!

I started doing it that way this morning and perhaps it's in my head, but I thought I was sweating more than usual.

Thanks!!!!!

 

[5'9']

is this better than keeping it to a seperate day?

 

[DeadBolt]

is this better than keeping it to a seperate day?

Its a personal preference. If done on its own day though you should try and do it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach or with a very very small meal right before. Many say the meal helps to prevent LBM loss, honestly I have no idea so I can't say through experience b/c I despise cardio lol.