Is doing cardio 5 days a week and strength training 3 days a week good enough and for cardio if you have the decision between Billy Blanks Bootcamp or using a Gazelle Elite which one is best for cardio?
127412
Your strength training with be hindered due to the amount of cardio you are doing but it is ok. As for your cardio question, i will not bad mouth either of them but i would not purchase, you will use the Gazelle five times then try to sell it and well if you work out at home then i guess the video would be ok but you should spend the 350 dollars for a years membership and have access to all the cardio equipment and classes as part of you membership.\n\nJust a note, if you do cardio on an empty stomach you will burn much more fat. This is a fact just be sure to eat within ten minutes or so after your cardio session when doing it like this.
268343
You should do both!  Cardio one day then weight training the next!  Make sure you change your diet too!
453254
Hey bud.  It all depends on what events in track you'll be running as well.  As of right now cardio will not hinder your lean physique.  However depending on your program it could be detrimental to your power.  If you're a sprinter you need to be focusing more on your anaerobic system.  The longer distances, the more cardio you'll need to be doing.  3 sessions for 35-40 minutes is fine for maintenance of your body composition right now.  But you may need to make your program a little more sport specific depending on what events you'll be competing in.
653607
Yes I've tried it and it's my favourite of all the programmes offered by les mills cos it's easy to follow and effective as well...i'm addicted to it...It's good if you're trying to lose weight cos it will somehow help you gain muscle (if you do like maybe 2 to 3 times a week) which will help to burn fat in addition to the cardio that you do 4-6 times a week....and i noticed i'm starting to have a nicer shoulder too...though after the class you might feel the pain...but no pain no gain...it's fun!
480593
24HR fitness is a breeding ground for trainers. It's a hit or miss with the gyms. Think of it as the car salepeople of the trade.\n\nThey want you to keep coming back so they leave you with a little something.\n\nI went for the 5 session pack and didn't do anything for me.  They went over the proper use of the machines and what muscles the machines work on.\n\nSo look for someone you can relate to and hopefully they'll be better than the majority.
447749
My husband and I use the BootCamp Elite.  We just work out to one (maybe two depending on the length and intensity) each night.  Work as much as you can, but don't strain yourself too much or you can damage muscle.  We usually always do the 8-minute workouts because they're a little slower paced and a nice cool-down.  Best of luck!
260685
A combination of both is ideal. Reason why both are best is that cardio is great for increasing heart rate and burning calories. Make sure it's intense not just walking. \nWeights are great for shaping the body as long as they are light to moderate in weight with lots of reps like 25 and 3 sets. Weights is great as you burn calories 48 hours after you finish so you get a longer impact depsite the fact that you don't tend to burn as many calories. \n\nHere is a plan I follow and give to my clients: \nIf you want to do this it is for life so you need to totally change your way of eating and exercising. This is not a diet rather than a healthy eating plan for life. So no more talking diet cause it means time limit. Stop making some major mistakes wake up earlier and get active earlier your metabolism is sluggish and needs to be woken up this is half your problem. \n\nHere are the golden rules: \nInitially cut down to 1200 calories. \nExercise 6 times per week for 1 hours a day. Do three weight sessions and three cardio sessions. No gym involved. \nDon't eat carbs after 4pm, never eat carbs within 2 hours of exercise or within 1 hour of exercise. \nDrink 3 litres of water per day. You can have a green tea at the end of the day. \nLimit your fruit in take to 2 pieces per day. \nNever eat dinner after 6pm.\nAdopt of low GI eating plan this is sustainable for life!\nMake low fat dairy choices \n\nFollow this menu plan as a suggestion: \nBreakfast 7am - 1 cup hot water w lemon\n20 minutes later have a bowel of oats w water (no honey) OR\nfruit salad w low GI soy yogurt\nSnack 10am - pear or apple (both low GI)\nLunch 12.30pm - multigrain sandwich w 50g tuna & salad (no butter)\nSnack 3pm - low GI yogurt OR skim berry smoothie (no honey or banana) plenty of ice, 1/2 cup skim milk & 1/4 cup yogurt\nDinner 5.30pm - 120g grilled lean meat/fish/prawns/tofu patties (not fried) w spinach salad & mixed vegies (no whites, carbs) OR 3 egg white/soy omlette with ham, cheese and tomato\nSnack - 1 scoop of low cal low fat ice cream (if hungry)\n\nExercise is must be intense. Refer to www.bodybuilding.com for your weights routine. Never do weights two consecutive days have a cardio day in between. \n\nCardio needs to include running, go hard up stair wells and cycling. You get the most benefits from exercise when your body is totally fatigued and this is when you see changes. \n\nTo maintain you can increase calories to 1500 and reduce exercise sessions to 3-4 times per week. If weight creeps up again due to holiday period etc.. go back to 1200 cal and 6 sessions again. \n\nGood luck it worked for me it can work for anyone.
231670
You can do all the weights you want, but if you don't have cardio, your new muscles will be covered by a layer of fat! So, yes, cardio is very much important. Even if you are thin, you still need to do cardio for your heart. Its recommended to do at least 30 minutes of cardio 3 times a week. Thats the bare minimum. Cardio will help you burn fat, and then lifting weights will help you tone up. And don't forget to eat healthy because if you're eating junk food all the time, exercise won't help too much.
225615
Cardio!!! Its the best!  Keep that heart rate up!
286136
i worked as a trainer for a while...i would trust him if you have seen other clients of his that have good results.  since you are overweight,  you will naturally burn more calories during cardio sessions than people who are not.  so...step up the cardio,  do weights a couple times a week..i am sure you are already doing this with your trainer.  i once knew a woman who was in an aerobics class with us..and all she did was walk in place for the class.  she was quite overweight...but at the end of a 6 week period, after working out religiously,  she had dropped 8 % of her total body fat percentage...and we were all like NO WAY....so...persistance pays off,  surround yourself with positive images...people who inspire you..clip their picture and put it on your wall, on your mirror,  wherever...stay real..keep your chin up...and let us know how you are doing!  good luck to you!
253344
4-5 times a week.  Anything will work but do the one that works for you.  I personally like aerobics classes. I need both the social to get me there.  Like when one of my aerobics freinds asks where I have been, cause they haven't seen me.  I also need the pumped up feeling I get from the group workout.  howver, my brother needs the solitude of running.  Finding out what works for you is the most important.  \n\nI recommend all beginners start with walking.  It is easy, cheap and quick to start.  Walk like you are being chased.  Not a stroll.  Start with 1/2 an hour a day for a week or two.  then walk for 45 minutes.  Finally try to get it to 1 hour.  If you want to start running try it then.  But go slowly for your joints to build up the cushioning they need. \n\nMorning or night?  Studies have shown that am workouts are more effective but I know I won't do them which makes them much less effective if I don't do it.  I also love running at night.  Where I live it is safe and so much cooler to run at night.  I also do my exercise classes at night.  I am usually awake until 12-1 oclock anyways.  So finishing my gym routine at 8ish is not so bad.  The most important thing is finding the right time and place for you.\n\nThe rules listed above while a good idea would set me up for failure from the get go.  I would never be so disciplined in my life.  I have way to much going on.  It works for some people but I make mistakes and just keep going.  Sometimes in a week I won't get any exercise in.. but the next week I just pick up and keep going.  That is life.  Sometimes I also will eat the whole cake but I just try not to do itthe next time. \n\nWay to go you will feel better in the long run.  Also kudos for trying to find out as much info as you can.  Read it all, everyone has good things to say.  Then use what you learned and make it work for you.  Good luck
303578
If I were you I'd join a bootcamp and increase exercise in the early morning and then follow that up with another 1.5 hours of more cardio and weights during the day. \n\nHere are some golden rules to getting leaner & building stamina: \nInitially cut down your fat intake to 30 gram and calories to 1600-1800 calories. \nExercise 6 times per week for at least 1.5 hours a day. \nDo three weight sessions and three cardio sessions. \nDon't eat carbs after 4pm, never eat carbs within 2 hours of exercise or within 1 hour of exercise. \nDrink 3 litres of water per day. You can have a green tea at the end of the day. \nLimit your fruit in take to 2 pieces per day. \nNever eat dinner after 6pm.\nAdopt of low GI eating plan this is sustainable for life! \n\nExercise must be intense. Refer to www.bodybuilding.com for your weights routine. You can do a circuit class but this counts as one weights session. Never do weights two consecutive days have a cardio day in between. \n\nCardio needs to include running (do it uphills as well), rowing, stairmaster, boxing and double spin sessions. Include running up a stair well or sand dunes. If your classes are less than 1 hour top it up with cardio before and after classes. You get the most benefits from exercise when your body is totally fatigued and this is when you see changes. \n\nWhen you get to the gym after stretching do this everyday and time it. Your aim is to beat your time each day there is no recovery time between each set so run to the next peice of equipment: \n1) 1km run incline 3 as fast as you can\n2) 2km bike ride level 10 as fast as you can\n3) 1km row level 10 as fast as you can\n4) Stepper - 30 stairs as fast as you can\n\nAs you get fitter double the time so do 2kms not 1kms for each exercise and time it and so forth. Increase the levels and go hard. Do your weights straight after. You will burn over 300 calories just doing the above for 15 minutes not bad hah!\n\nYou will get fitter very quickly and definately build stamina.
139126
The trainer at my gym said it used to be said to do cardio first but now the thinking has reversed and weights first to tire out the muscles then cardio.  \n\nYou will be stronger and will get more out of your weights when they're done first. This means you will boost your metabolism and burn more calories throughout the day.\n\n The weight training will get your body into fat-burning mode for your cardio so that when you do your cardio you will be burning more fat right away. Normally, if you start with cardio, it takes 15 - 20 minutes to get to the point where your body is burning primarily bodyfat instead of the food you've eaten during the day. This will make your cardio work much more effective than if it was done separately or first.
26624
I had a professional measure and calculate different exercises for me in terms of most calories burned in shortest period of time.  Based on their calculations an eliptical machine was the best.  It was superior to treadmills, walking, swimming, bicycling and many other activities I had them check for me.  An eliptical machine gives a good cardio work out while you utilize your legs, arms, abs and many other muscles.  It is a smooth movement which keeps you from suffering impact injuries that can be associated with jogging and running.  So I say if your goal is weight loss or stabalization an eliptical is a good choice.  I combine my use of an eliptical with racquet ball, swimming, walking, bicycling, weight training, and yoga.  The combination is great!  For fastest calorie burn it's the eliptical.  All depends on what you want out of your exercise.
642552
Cardio, cardio, cardio. This helps you with the simple philosophy behind fat loss: Burn more calories than you take in. If your goal is fat loss, incorporate 4–6, 30–60-minute sessions per week into your training schedule.\n\nOf iron and sweat. If your goal is to lean out, follow your weight training with cardio. Since lifting depletes glycogen stores, your body is more likely to use fat as its first fuel source during cardio. Also, the combination of the two results in a higher caloric burn postworkout.\n\nTread heavily. What’s the best exercise and intensity to burn maximal fat? Researchers found that jogging on the treadmill at about 70% of your maximal heart rate, or MHR (subtract your age from 220 and multiply by 0.7 for your heart rate in beats per minute), was optimal, burning about 40 grams of fat per hour of exercise. Going above or below this intensity burned significantly less fat, as did pedaling on a stationary cycle, regardless of intensity.\n\nRun hungry. If you can stomach getting up earlier, perform cardio before your first meal of the day. Your body is most likely to use fat as the first energy source because your glycogen stores are depleted. If you’re concerned with muscle loss, take 10–20 grams of whey protein before your session, but stay away from carbs.\n\nPost-cardio burn. Following aerobic exercise, your resting metabolic rate remains elevated for anywhere from 60 minutes to about 12 hours, depending on the intensity and duration of the exercise session.\n\nMove outdoors. Try your next outdoor run on sand, which is more difficult than running on harder surfaces like cement. It’s easier on the joints as well, but wear shoes to avoid stress fractures and protect your feet from glass. Running on grass is also a welcome relief to joints and arches.\n\nTaper off. Instead of starting slow and building up speed, do your high-intensity cardio early in your workout and taper off to a slow finish to burn significantly more fat. After a 2–3-minute warm-up, immediately kick it into high gear (80%–85% max heart rate) for 15–20 minutes before slowing down (60%–65% max heart rate) for the last 10–20 minutes.\n\nVary your cardio. Whether you’re lifting weights or doing cardio, the trick is to keep your body from adapting to what you’re doing. Regularly changing your cardio mode is the best way to keep your body responding to your efforts.\n\nInterval for success. Unless you’re a highly conditioned athlete, you can’t maintain a very intense pace for very long, so the best way to improve your aerobic fitness and burn fat is with intervals. That is, you alternate very intense periods of work with lower-intensity sessions in which you recover.\n\nNo butts. Smoking deprives cells of the oxygen they need to maximize metabolism, keeps muscles from repairing themselves after exercise and makes cardio a lot tougher. Plus, your smoke-scented clothes are sure to irritate fellow gym rats.\n\nFidget to fight fat. Are you a fidgeter? Maybe you should be. Several studies have shown that toe-tappers, while completely annoying at the office, will burn more calories over the course of the day than the stationary man.\n\nNUTRITION\n\nStay hydrated. Active individuals actually require more water and should aim to consume roughly 1 gallon per day to avoid becoming dehydrated. And if you’re one of those people who hates drinking water, consider this: Dehydrated individuals burn less fat than their well-watered counterparts.\n\nEat more frequently. Eating 5–6 small meals a day as opposed to “three squares a day” causes your metabolism to work constantly. Eating larger meals, on the other hand, slows your metabolism and forces leftover calories to be stored as fat.\n\nEat protein. Since muscle-building is the fastest route to slim down, you want to make sure that your protein consumption is enough to keep up with your weight training. Eat too little protein and your gains could be much slower. Get 1–1
667660
Strength training and muscle endurance classes are the best way to get into shape. Aerobics is good to a point but doesn't work the individual muscles and/or groups enough to burn the fat. I would suggest a body sculpting class. I saw big results within a week-and-a-half when I began taking one. Also, trying a sport specific class, like cardio kickboxing or cycling, is a good choice. You still get the cardio aspect, but your muscles are targeted to a much greater extent.
387771
well I as well am 5'6 I was 169lbs two weeks ago so it's an identical situation.  I started two weeks ago going to the gym and exercising.  cardio 2 times a week and random exercises 3 times a week as well as a healthy diet (not perfect diet but better than before) now in only two weeks I'm 161lbs that's a huge improvement.  After that I'm motivated to stick to it.  Try it for 2 weeks it will be tough for sure but you'll be so happy with the results you'll keep going