4 Indications you're doing too much cardio

[BABY1]

Sometimes when I go to the gym, I have this urge to tell some of the most religious treadmill riders "Ma'am, Step away from the treadmill!" No matter how many articles and reports are written on the benefits of exercise other than cardio, it never ceases to amaze me how many women (and men too...) relegate themselves to the endless monotony of the treadmill - or for that matter, any other piece of cardio equipment. Moreover, these individuals will do cardio for over an hour...sometimes hopping from one piece of cardio equipment to another...never even considering time in the weight room, in classes or outdoors.

Although there are definite benefits to doing aerobic exercise; strength, core and flexibility training all provide numerous health benefits that cardio can't: They increase muscular and bone strength, increase lean body mass, safeguard against injury and boost metabolism while decreasing fat.
Is it possible you are overdoing the cardio? Here's how to know:

1. Time: Unless you are training for a race, marathon or triathlon, there is no need to do more than 30 minutes of cardio (with your heart rate between 65% - 85% of your maximum heart rate) when you workout. Fitness Revamp: If you want to exercise for over 30 minutes, you are better off doing a 20 - 30 minute cardio session and another 20 - 30 minutes dedicated to strength training, stretching and/or core training.
2. You aren't seeing results: If you are trying to lose weight, yet you aren't seeing results, it may be because of too much cardio. Believe it or not the idea of 'burning off fat' does not stem from cardio...it stems from strength training. Fitness Revamp: Build in 20 - 30 minute strength training sessions 2 - 3 times a week.
3. Injuries: Too much wear and tear on your muscles and joints can end up in an injury...or even worse, multiple injuries. Incorporating flexibility and strength training helps to strengthen the joints which will prevent pain and damage to joints. Fitness Revamp: Take the time to stretch before and after your cardio sessions.
4. Boredom: Does it take a lot to motivate yourself to go to the gym? Doing the same type of exercise every day, of every week, of every year is...BORING! Working out should be fun and should make you feel good. Fitness Revamp: Mix it up. Take a class or two that interest you each week. Get into the weight room and do a few sets of bicep curls. Go hiking. Do things that motivate you and keep you interested. Being active is what is most important...not the time and mileage on a piece of equipment.

[IronpumpedLady]

Re: 4 Indications you're doing too much cardio

There's truly a fine line with cardio, and depending on your goals the type cardio exercise you do as well as the time spent doing it is definitely different from one person to another. There is no cookie mold for everyone. We are all different, burn calories at different rates, store BF in different areas at different rates, and so on,..So in return our bodies respond differently to any type of stimulus we might put it thru.

The principle of individual differences simple means that, because we all are unique individuals, we will all have a slightly different response to an exercise program. This is another way of saying that "one size does not fit all" when it comes to exercise. Well-designed exercise programs should be based on our individual differences and responses to exercise.
Some of these differences have to do with body size and shape, genetics, past experience, chronic conditions, injuries and even gender. For example, women generally need more recovery time than men, and older athletes generally need more recovery time than younger athletes.

With this in mind, you may or may not want to follow an "off the shelf" exercise program, DVD or class and may find it helpful to work with a coach or personal trainer to develop a customized exercise program.

One of The biggest reason people stop seeing results is adaptation, our bodies are smart and they adapt to any stresses which we place on them or put them under.
This is known as the principle of Adaptation.
Adaptation refers to the body's ability to adjust to increased or decreased physical demands. It is also one way we learn to coordinate muscle movement and develop sports-specific skills, such as batting, swimming freestyle or shooting free throws. Repeatedly practicing a skill or activity makes it second-nature and easier to perform. Adaptation explains why beginning exercisers are often sore after starting a new routine, but after doing the same exercise for weeks and months they have little, if any, muscle soreness.
What happens also it the body will begin to expend less and less energy to do the same activity thats why it becomes easier to do.
This reinforces the need to vary a workout routine if you want to see continued improvement.


Stay Strong~~!!!
IPL