Group: Women's Club

Created: 2011/12/31, Members: 525, Messages: 10844

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Cardio Comparison - much difference?

smithereen
smithereen
Posts: 3
Joined: 2003/12/06
United States
2003/12/06, 08:11 AM
Hi all,
I'm new to this board and very excited about getting in shape! I have a pear shape and just had a baby 6 months ago. I lost all but 8 lbs of baby weight, but was overweight to start. I'd like to lose approx 50lbs, and want to know if there's a significant difference in my cardio choice -- treadmill, stationary bike, or elliptical? I hate the treadmill and can't afford an elliptical. have had past success using the bike. Also, is the upright bike better than the recumbent?
azredhead57
azredhead57
Posts: 1,651
Joined: 2003/04/11
United States
2003/12/08, 12:17 PM
The best form of cardio is the one that you will do. I hate the bike so if I was told to do it I probably wouldn't. I prefer the treadmill. What or how you do it isn't as important as doing it. And if you have no preference then switch it up and use a different one every time. Variety is key with your cardio programs. Good luck.

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~Victoria~
...Do not be discouraged; everyone who got where he is, started where he was.--anon
...There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.--Beverly Sills
Taurie
Taurie
Posts: 374
Joined: 2003/10/15
United States
2003/12/08, 03:22 PM
Great advice Azred!
bb1fit
bb1fit
Posts: 11,105
Joined: 2001/06/30
United States
2003/12/08, 07:33 PM
Don't forget to do your resistance training. With just cardio, you can lose weight, but cannot sculpt. If you are a big pear now, at best you will just become a smaller pear with just cardio.

And I second azredhead's reply on cardio. One thing I might add, is don't rely on long bouts of standard cardio all the time. Mix it up, with HIIT, even if you only use one favorite apparatus. Keep your body guessing.

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If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything....
Philia2
Philia2
Posts: 4,078
Joined: 2001/10/19
France
2003/12/09, 03:08 PM
Oooooooh Ron, you were faster than me about that point!!! (o; (my internet has been down lately so I haven't been able to get in here!)
You cannot shape a beautiful body from doing only cardio, you'll need resistance training for that.
Why not jump on one of Freetrainers' great work out routines?

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- Nina :o) Les Victoires éternelles sont celles du coeur.
Carivan
Carivan
Posts: 8,542
Joined: 2002/01/20
Canada
2003/12/09, 04:47 PM
If you don't like treadmills, you can always do brisk walking or joggs outdoors. And don't forget, lift!

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"A will finds a way"
Ivan Montreal Canada
smithereen
smithereen
Posts: 3
Joined: 2003/12/06
United States
2003/12/10, 03:28 PM
Thanks for all the great responses! I am doing some resistance training as well, so looks like I'm on my way to fitness once again. So far, I've ridden the bike twice--once for 30 minutes (6 miles), once for 20 minutes 4.5 miles in the fatburner mode) , and now I'm ready to try the HIIT. I've also done some upper body stuff along with abs. I feel so much better already! This is my first time exercising in over two years!
smithereen
smithereen
Posts: 3
Joined: 2003/12/06
United States
2003/12/10, 03:36 PM
Message deleted by moderator due to unsuitable content for this board.
rpacheco
rpacheco
Posts: 3,770
Joined: 2001/12/13
United States
2003/12/10, 04:21 PM
I don't know why there are still double posts...but seems like it is happening more frequently.

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**_Robert_**
Pain is temporary; glory is forever!
spenco
spenco
Posts: 76
Joined: 2003/07/24
Canada
2004/02/11, 11:04 PM
Sorry for reviving this old post but.. why is it bad to do only 1 type of cardio? are you saying that if all i do is run for 25 mins every other day i wont get fit or lose weight? do you have to switch it up to see results?

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Quoting from bb1fit:

Don't forget to do your resistance training. With just cardio, you can lose weight, but cannot sculpt. If you are a big pear now, at best you will just become a smaller pear with just cardio.

And I second azredhead's reply on cardio. One thing I might add, is don't rely on long bouts of standard cardio all the time. Mix it up, with HIIT, even if you only use one favorite apparatus. Keep your body guessing.


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spenco
spenco
Posts: 76
Joined: 2003/07/24
Canada
2004/02/11, 11:04 PM
Message deleted by moderator due to unsuitable content for this board.
Philia2
Philia2
Posts: 4,078
Joined: 2001/10/19
France
2004/02/12, 02:47 AM
It's not bad just to do one type of cardio but if you always do it on the same time, the same way, the same amount etc then your body will get use to it and you'll stop seeing recults.
You can run 25 mins every other day but one days run a little faster or do HIIT.

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- Nina :o) Les Victoires éternelles sont celles du coeur.
www.nme-pro.com
spenco
spenco
Posts: 76
Joined: 2003/07/24
Canada
2004/02/12, 10:17 PM
right now im doing a progressivly harder program, going up in speed and time every week, what im doing is every week i go longer by a minute and faster by .1mile i know it doesnt seem like much but over the weeks it does add up, do you think that this would be enough to force results? or get off a plateau?
spenco
spenco
Posts: 76
Joined: 2003/07/24
Canada
2004/02/12, 10:19 PM
i forgot to mention...i go the same speed for the 25 mins, would this make much of a difference compared to a varying speed workout?