Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Running and lifting.. Do they contradict each other?

pappymojo · 05-20-2004, 05:52 AM

I think it all depends on your goals.

My primary goal is to increase my muscle mass. Therefore I lift weights to the point of fatigue, generally 3 sets. If I hit 12 reps in a set, I add more weight until I can only do about 8 reps.

I like to do cardio. I think that sweating is good for my skin and my heart and my hair (I'm a guy).

For a long time, I was lifting weights and running on the same days. I was in good shape, but kind of skinny. Could not gain a pound (I weigh 191 pounds) and I was eating a lot of good, healthy food.

I met with a trainer recently and he told me to cut down on the cardio. I still sometimes run but not as hard as I used to. I only hit moderate intensity levels (which I figure out by my heart rate). Last night was one of my off days from the gym and I really wanted to get outside to do something. Instead of jogging, I ran 10 fifty yard sprints as fast as I could seperated by walking rests of 40 seconds. Then I walked a mile and a half. My legs are sore today.

My goals are to gain muscle mass. Therefore I concentrate on lifting weights. If your goal is to lose fat, you should concentrate on cardio with some weight lifting thrown in. If your goal is simply to be healthy, then I would say to follow your own instincts and to do both.

Good luck (and remember to eat healthy - the more natural the food that you eat is, the more naturally healthy you will be)

05-20-2004, 05:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
pappymojo Tilted Location: boston	I think it all depends on your goals. My primary goal is to increase my muscle mass. Therefore I lift weights to the point of fatigue, generally 3 sets. If I hit 12 reps in a set, I add more weight until I can only do about 8 reps. I like to do cardio. I think that sweating is good for my skin and my heart and my hair (I'm a guy). For a long time, I was lifting weights and running on the same days. I was in good shape, but kind of skinny. Could not gain a pound (I weigh 191 pounds) and I was eating a lot of good, healthy food. I met with a trainer recently and he told me to cut down on the cardio. I still sometimes run but not as hard as I used to. I only hit moderate intensity levels (which I figure out by my heart rate). Last night was one of my off days from the gym and I really wanted to get outside to do something. Instead of jogging, I ran 10 fifty yard sprints as fast as I could seperated by walking rests of 40 seconds. Then I walked a mile and a half. My legs are sore today. My goals are to gain muscle mass. Therefore I concentrate on lifting weights. If your goal is to lose fat, you should concentrate on cardio with some weight lifting thrown in. If your goal is simply to be healthy, then I would say to follow your own instincts and to do both. Good luck (and remember to eat healthy - the more natural the food that you eat is, the more naturally healthy you will be)