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Author Topic: How important is cardio?  (Read 4388 times)

Offline abstract

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How important is cardio?
« on: April 28, 2011, 06:54:22 PM »
I've been just getting bored with cardio so I've been doing less and less. Usually I do 4 sets of unassisted dips, 4 sets of pullups, leg raises, leg presses, overhead barbell presses and lunges. I've always been skinny but since switching to paleo and the aforementioned routine I have been gaining muscle and definition and am liking the way I look. I really want to be healthy overall though. So how important do you think cardio is? How much of it should I do? I don't want to lose any of the muscle I've gained.

Also, I should state that my knees aren't the greatest so I usually just hop on the eliptical machine for 15 min.
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Offline Wlfdg

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Re: How important is cardio?
« Reply #1 on: April 28, 2011, 07:14:18 PM »
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Oodar

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Re: How important is cardio?
« Reply #2 on: April 28, 2011, 08:26:11 PM »
Walking and swimming are the only forms of acceptable cardio. I grew up coerced into XX running and XX skiing for my high school, so it was intense and daily.

What I had to show for it was a weak body upon graduation. I feel sorry for runners on the street, especially High school XX groups. I see them torturing themselves to a weaker body.

Not to mention the "runner's high" was miserable. Gasping for air after sprinting 2 miles is emasculating.
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Offline samjohn

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Re: How important is cardio?
« Reply #3 on: April 28, 2011, 08:39:22 PM »
Is HIIT/Tabata considered cardio?

With regards to general health (disregarding fat loss) I feel much better when doing some HIIT each week, rather than just lifting. There are health benefits outside of fat loss that need to be considered.
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Offline Wlfdg

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Re: How important is cardio?
« Reply #4 on: April 29, 2011, 05:59:22 AM »
Anything that gets your heart pounding can considered cardio. HIIT sure does that!
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Walking isn't exercise, it's locomotion!
Living for longevity is like fighting for peace.
"Food is fuel! It's not a f***ing theater ticket!" -author unknown
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Offline Kelsier

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Re: How important is cardio?
« Reply #5 on: July 05, 2011, 03:49:57 AM »
Why should you do Cardio if you dont like it?
Cardio is good for... mhhmm... I dont know anything. Maybe if you have a day where you dont move at all?

If you want to build up more muscle => lift weights
If you want to lose fat => build muscle

I see so many fat and bored people on all these Cardio-Machines watching TV... these people dont look good to me and they barely touch any heavy weights(dumbbells?). And these guys never sweat at all.
The people that are working out in the "non-Cardio" area that are making noises while lifting heavy weights look good and happy. Well.. they look happy after the dumbbells hit the ground again or some minutes after their training ;)

I dont see any reason to do long boring cardio sessions.
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Offline UKtroglodyte

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Re: How important is cardio?
« Reply #6 on: July 05, 2011, 10:32:48 AM »
I suppose it depends how you define cardio, but I believe cardio, particularly brisk walking and running is very good for the brain and for maintaining cognitive abilities as you grow older. It also helps get rid of depression.

It may be that resistance training is as good or even better.  I don't know.
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Offline Paleo Curmudgeon

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Re: How important is cardio?
« Reply #7 on: July 05, 2011, 06:02:53 PM »
I threw out both pairs of my running shoes because they were Nike. Being unemployed I can't afford new shoes but I sure won't be seen wearing Nike anything!

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Offline samjohn

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Re: How important is cardio?
« Reply #8 on: July 05, 2011, 08:55:48 PM »
I've noticed that the girls who come into the weight room always have much hotter bodies than those slogging it out on treadmills.
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The answer to your question is 'eat more fat'.

Stop counting calories. If you are eating Paleo, there is usually no need.

If you are having weight loss issues, it'd be a good idea to start posting a detailed food journal, then everyone can help.

'Anecdotal Evidence' is an oxymoron.

Offline mike44

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Re: How important is cardio?
« Reply #9 on: July 06, 2011, 01:32:49 AM »
Quote from: UKtroglodyte on July 05, 2011, 10:32:48 AM
I suppose it depends how you define cardio, but I believe cardio, particularly brisk walking and running is very good for the brain and for maintaining cognitive abilities as you grow older. It also helps get rid of depression.

It may be that resistance training is as good or even better.  I don't know.
So true ! Just running, you don`t need anything else. It gets you pumped up, blood running through your veins, legs burning, heart pounding. Great feeling.
It is important allright. But you don`t need to stress yourself about it. Just run 30 min every other day, and that`s it. Eventually you will start to like running, as ( at least to me ) it has some wierd cleansing effect ..
Mike
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Offline Warren Dew

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Re: How important is cardio?
« Reply #10 on: July 14, 2011, 04:04:18 PM »
Quote from: samjohn on April 28, 2011, 08:39:22 PM
Is HIIT/Tabata considered cardio?

With regards to general health (disregarding fat loss) I feel much better when doing some HIIT each week, rather than just lifting. There are health benefits outside of fat loss that need to be considered.

I think HIIT and Tabata are cardio, but not aerobic.  They certainly work the cardiovascular system, but they also get into the anaerobic range.  Of course, that makes them difficult to classify, since most people use "cardio" and "aerobic" as synonyms.

Personally I agree with you regarding general health.  The heart has my vote for the most important muscle in the body.
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Offline DanielW

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Re: How important is cardio?
« Reply #11 on: September 08, 2011, 11:43:48 PM »
Cardio is important ...

 In order to lose weight you must burn calories and when you burn calories you lose weight. However, if you already have a good figure and don't have fat to burn but, just muscle to build than you could just do strength training in order to build some muscle definition. However, adding cardio to your workout routine would be a great idea and even if you do not like it, it will benefit you in the long wrong and most likely give you better & faster results.  ;D
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Offline P4l3o M4N

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Re: How important is cardio?
« Reply #12 on: September 14, 2011, 05:27:38 PM »
I do cardio 3 days a week maybe for only about 20 min and not every week
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Offline emiloots

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Re: How important is cardio?
« Reply #13 on: September 15, 2011, 03:22:58 PM »
Sarah Fragoso's blog just had a post about this...
http://everydaypaleo.com/2011/09/02/friends-dont-let-friends-do-cardio/
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Re: How important is cardio?
« Reply #13 on: September 15, 2011, 03:22:58 PM »

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