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2008/01/02, 04:07 PM
BIO:
I have been lifting weights for 16 years, and I just turned 31.
Now, I am trying to get or remain tone, without putting on to much muscle.
I have a med/high metabolism......my workout sched consists of...........
MON-weights
TUE-cardio (AM basketball)
WED- cardio PM
THU-weights
FRI-cardio (AM basketball), as I have adapted my workout schedule with my work shcedule
SAT/SUN off
GOAL:
To get in Cardio shape, obtain & maintain lean muscle without bulking up.
Looking for a PM Cario routine to build endurance and stamina.
PROBLEM:
No matter if I am playing basketball, or in some type of cardio activity, my calf muscles always tend to tighten up even if I do stretch them repeatedly before my activity, causing me not to go 100% on my activity thus not acheiving my goal.
QUESTION:
Is it better to go longer on a treadmill at lower speeds, or a higher intensity for a short period of time?
Is the treadmill, swimming, precor or stairmaster the best tool for cardio?
NOTE:
If I use the treadmill, I find myself playing basketball a bit better noticing that I am not gasping for air, and if I do get winded, I have a quick recovery time regaining my breath which allows me to hustle and run a bit more than usual.
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2008/01/04, 10:34 AM
Maybe you should try doing a little cardio before your weight routines.
Also you might try HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) training on your cardio days. HIIT is basically run/walk/jogging at a moderate pace for a couple of minutes, then cranking it up to a much faster pace for a minute or so, then returning to a moderate pace to catch your breath. You do this for about 20 minutes or so. Maybe this will help your basketball game because of the constant and sporadic speeds you need to move at on the court.
For your calves, I'd try doing some calf extensions, and basically strengthen them up. I used to have calf and knee issues when I first started jogging, but after some leg work in the gym, it is non existent.
To answer your question on which cardio is better, the answer is simply whatever gets your heart rate up.
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