Cardio workouts

monster · 02-28-2012, 08:35 PM

My gym says we should get cardio exercise at least three and preferably five times a week for 30-45 minutes. I have heard this elsewhere and they don't get any more money if people come more often, so I'm guessing this is "the word"

But I don't manage that (or at least I didn't), and I'm a "SAHM" -1-2 times/week was more the norm for me. And I tested as "fit" today. My friends don't exercise anything like as much as me (they don't eat and drink as much either). Are they destined to face a decrepit old age? or are these guidelines bullshit sponsored by Nike etc? Let's assume I don't need to lose weight and am fit -why do I need to exercise so much? because I'm pretty sure most of the population doesn't and yet the average lifespan is still increasing.

wolf · 02-28-2012, 09:26 PM

Hoisting my fat ass off the couch to go make a sandwich counts as cardio, right?

monster · 02-28-2012, 09:34 PM

Does it increase your heart rate by about 75% for a minimum of 30 mins?

wolf · 02-28-2012, 09:35 PM

If I do it wrong, yeah.

monster · 02-28-2012, 10:03 PM

then you're good.

Sundae · 02-29-2012, 01:29 AM

Never.
But I walk two miles a day, which is approx 20 mins there, 20 mins back, five days a week.
And Mum & I do another 20 mins exercise five evenings a week, which don't necessarily corrrespond to the walking days.

I do understand the idea that if it's under 30 minutes the heart doesn't get the same workout, but I'm reasonably happy with my fitness at present.

Just can't say the same about my weight.

Griff · 02-29-2012, 05:47 AM

I try to do it at least twice a week. Fencing, mountain biking, and xc skiing all qualify.

Spexxvet · 02-29-2012, 07:40 AM

I schedule 3x per week, but too often something more urgent interferes.

I learned a long time ago that once a week puts more stress on your heart, because every time you do it, it's like starting over. Twice a week keeps you where you currently are. 3-4 times improves you. 5 -7 increases the likelihood of injury beyond the benefit.

YMMV, and this information could be outdated.

Rhianne · 02-29-2012, 07:53 AM

Every day. Aren't I good!

I'm under instructions to do a minimum of thirty minutes at least five times a week (I can break up the thirty minutes but the blocks must be of at least 10 minutes). I try to do a straight hour each day but with the often physical stuff I have to do during the day I sometimes struggle to manage the full sixty minutes.

glatt · 02-29-2012, 08:08 AM

I had to honestly vote Never. Not completely true, because I swim for 5 minutes or so at a time a couple times a week in the summer. That gets my heart rate up to about 500%. I really have bad form and I'm seriously over exerting myself when I swim.

But I do walk briskly a lot every day. I don't check my pulse but I bet it gets my heart rate up by about 40%-50% or so. And I do that for about 40 minutes each day, 5 days a week. I feel and look pretty fit.

I think I should exercise more, but I don't know when I would do that. The only time I have is lunch time at work, but I don't want the hassle of having to bring clothes and a towel to work to shower. My arteries would probably thank me though. That's why we should all exercise more. It's our arteries.

Stormieweather · 02-29-2012, 08:34 AM

Lift weights on Monday (45 mins)
Zumba class on Tuesday (60 mins)
Lift weights on Wednesday (45 mins)
Zumba class on Thursday (60 mins)
Lift weights on Friday (30 mins)
Rest day on Saturday (really yard and house work)
Kickboxing on Sunday (75 mins)

I've been doing this schedule for 2 months now. I am seeing HUGE changes to my endurance and physical condition.

I voted 3-4 on the poll, as weight lifting does not count as cardio, even though I run a mile to warm up.

jimhelm · 02-29-2012, 08:51 AM

i used to do 3 times per week. i have been SO lax lately. only got to the gym once this month. must rectify.

bbro · 02-29-2012, 09:02 AM

Just starting out, so I didn't vote in the poll. Last week was 5 days of cardio and this week I only have one day so far. I want to do 5 days with half cardio and half strength training.

Sundae · 02-29-2012, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

I had to honestly vote Never.

But I do walk briskly a lot every day. I don't check my pulse but I bet it gets my heart rate up by about 40%-50% or so. And I do that for about 40 minutes each day, 5 days a week. I feel and look pretty fit.

That's 40 minutes cardio 5 days a week then, Glatt.
Brisk walking is cardio.

glatt · 02-29-2012, 11:57 AM

Doesn't feel like cardio. I don't break a sweat. Unless it's August.

View Poll Results: How often do you do cardio for at least 30 minutes?
Never	3	20.00%
Once a month	1	6.67%
Twice a month	0	0%
Once a week	1	6.67%
Twice a week	1	6.67%
3-4 times a week	3	20.00%
5+ times a week	1	6.67%
What is this cardio of which you speak?	5	33.33%
Voters: 15. You may not vote on this poll

02-28-2012, 08:35 PM	#1
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Cardio workouts My gym says we should get cardio exercise at least three and preferably five times a week for 30-45 minutes. I have heard this elsewhere and they don't get any more money if people come more often, so I'm guessing this is "the word" But I don't manage that (or at least I didn't), and I'm a "SAHM" -1-2 times/week was more the norm for me. And I tested as "fit" today. My friends don't exercise anything like as much as me (they don't eat and drink as much either). Are they destined to face a decrepit old age? or are these guidelines bullshit sponsored by Nike etc? Let's assume I don't need to lose weight and am fit -why do I need to exercise so much? because I'm pretty sure most of the population doesn't and yet the average lifespan is still increasing. __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

02-28-2012, 09:26 PM	#2
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Hoisting my fat ass off the couch to go make a sandwich counts as cardio, right? __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

02-28-2012, 09:34 PM	#3
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Does it increase your heart rate by about 75% for a minimum of 30 mins? __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

02-28-2012, 09:35 PM	#4
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	If I do it wrong, yeah. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

02-28-2012, 10:03 PM	#5
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	then you're good. __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

02-29-2012, 01:29 AM	#6
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Never. But I walk two miles a day, which is approx 20 mins there, 20 mins back, five days a week. And Mum & I do another 20 mins exercise five evenings a week, which don't necessarily corrrespond to the walking days. I do understand the idea that if it's under 30 minutes the heart doesn't get the same workout, but I'm reasonably happy with my fitness at present. Just can't say the same about my weight.

02-29-2012, 05:47 AM	#7
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	I try to do it at least twice a week. Fencing, mountain biking, and xc skiing all qualify. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

02-29-2012, 07:40 AM	#8
Spexxvet Makes some feel uncomfortable Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 10,346	I schedule 3x per week, but too often something more urgent interferes. I learned a long time ago that once a week puts more stress on your heart, because every time you do it, it's like starting over. Twice a week keeps you where you currently are. 3-4 times improves you. 5 -7 increases the likelihood of injury beyond the benefit. YMMV, and this information could be outdated. __________________ "I'm certainly free, nay compelled, to spread the gospel of Spex. " - xoxoxoBruce

02-29-2012, 07:53 AM	#9
Rhianne Nearly done. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Teetering on the edge. Posts: 1,134	Every day. Aren't I good! I'm under instructions to do a minimum of thirty minutes at least five times a week (I can break up the thirty minutes but the blocks must be of at least 10 minutes). I try to do a straight hour each day but with the often physical stuff I have to do during the day I sometimes struggle to manage the full sixty minutes.

02-29-2012, 08:08 AM	#10
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I had to honestly vote Never. Not completely true, because I swim for 5 minutes or so at a time a couple times a week in the summer. That gets my heart rate up to about 500%. I really have bad form and I'm seriously over exerting myself when I swim. But I do walk briskly a lot every day. I don't check my pulse but I bet it gets my heart rate up by about 40%-50% or so. And I do that for about 40 minutes each day, 5 days a week. I feel and look pretty fit. I think I should exercise more, but I don't know when I would do that. The only time I have is lunch time at work, but I don't want the hassle of having to bring clothes and a towel to work to shower. My arteries would probably thank me though. That's why we should all exercise more. It's our arteries.

02-29-2012, 08:34 AM	#11
Stormieweather Wearing her bitch boots Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Floriduh Posts: 1,181	Lift weights on Monday (45 mins) Zumba class on Tuesday (60 mins) Lift weights on Wednesday (45 mins) Zumba class on Thursday (60 mins) Lift weights on Friday (30 mins) Rest day on Saturday (really yard and house work) Kickboxing on Sunday (75 mins) I've been doing this schedule for 2 months now. I am seeing HUGE changes to my endurance and physical condition. I voted 3-4 on the poll, as weight lifting does not count as cardio, even though I run a mile to warm up. __________________ "First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." - Mahatma Gandhi

02-29-2012, 08:51 AM	#12
jimhelm a beautiful fool Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: 39.939705 Posts: 4,504	i used to do 3 times per week. i have been SO lax lately. only got to the gym once this month. must rectify. __________________ There's a Shadow just behind me. Shrouding every step I take. Making every promise empty, pointing every finger at me. _tool

02-29-2012, 09:02 AM	#13
bbro Insert witty comment here Join Date: May 2004 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 2,182	Just starting out, so I didn't vote in the poll. Last week was 5 days of cardio and this week I only have one day so far. I want to do 5 days with half cardio and half strength training.

02-29-2012, 11:57 AM	#15
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Doesn't feel like cardio. I don't break a sweat. Unless it's August.

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