How Much Cardio Should You Do When Lifting?
When it comes to working out, there are many questions that come up. One common question is how much cardio should you do when lifting? This is an important question to answer as it can greatly impact your fitness goals.
The answer to how much cardio you should do when lifting depends on your fitness goals. If your goal is to build muscle, then you should focus on lifting weights and limit cardio to a minimum. However, if your goal is to lose weight and improve your overall health, then cardio should be a key part of your workout routine.
It is recommended that you do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio or 75 minutes of high-intensity cardio per week, in addition to your weight lifting routine. This can be broken down into 30 minutes of cardio, five times a week, or 25 minutes of high-intensity cardio, three times a week.
In summary, the amount of cardio you should do when lifting depends on your fitness goals. If you want to build muscle, focus on weight lifting and limit cardio. If you want to lose weight and improve your overall health, prioritize cardio in addition to your weight lifting routine.
Personal Experience
As someone who wants to improve their overall health and lose weight, I make sure to include cardio in my workout routine. I typically do 30 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio, such as jogging on the treadmill or using the elliptical, five times a week. I also incorporate weight lifting into my routine, but prioritize cardio to help with weight loss.
The Importance of Cardio for Heart Health
Cardio is important not only for weight loss, but also for heart health. Regular cardio exercise can help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, and improve overall cardiovascular health. It is important to make sure you are getting enough cardio exercise in addition to weight lifting to reap these health benefits.
Types of Cardio
There are many different types of cardio exercises that you can incorporate into your workout routine. Some examples include running, cycling, swimming, and HIIT (high-intensity interval training). It is important to choose a type of cardio that you enjoy and can stick with in order to make it a regular part of your routine.
How to Incorporate Cardio into Your Workout Routine
If you are new to cardio exercise, it is important to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts. You can start with a 10-minute walk and gradually increase to longer walks, or start with a 5-minute jog and gradually increase to longer runs. It is also important to mix up your cardio routine to keep it interesting and challenging.
The Benefits of High-Intensity Cardio
High-intensity cardio, such as HIIT, can be a great addition to your workout routine. This type of cardio involves short bursts of high-intensity exercise followed by periods of rest or low-intensity exercise. HIIT has been shown to be effective for weight loss and can help increase cardiovascular fitness.
Question and Answer
Q: Can you do cardio and weight lifting on the same day?
A: Yes, you can do cardio and weight lifting on the same day. However, it is recommended to do weight lifting first and then cardio to prevent fatigue and injury.
Q: How many days a week should you do cardio?
A: It is recommended to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio or 75 minutes of high-intensity cardio per week, which can be broken down into 30 minutes of cardio, five times a week, or 25 minutes of high-intensity cardio, three times a week.
Q: Is it better to do cardio before or after weight lifting?
A: It is recommended to do weight lifting first and then cardio to prevent fatigue and injury.
Q: What are some examples of high-intensity cardio?
A: Some examples of high-intensity cardio include HIIT (high-intensity interval training), sprinting, and plyometrics.
Conclusion of How Much Cardio Should You Do When Lifting
How much cardio you should do when lifting depends on your fitness goals. If you want to build muscle, limit cardio and focus on weight lifting. If you want to lose weight and improve your overall health, prioritize cardio in addition to your weight lifting routine. It is important to make sure you are getting enough cardio exercise for heart health and to choose a type of cardio that you enjoy and can stick with. Start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts, and mix up your cardio routine to keep it interesting and challenging.
