5 ms·

"Do mostly cardio, but also some weights." Disagree. I'd recommend the opposite, do mostly weights and some cardio. You don't need to buy equipment, barbell

by throw7 6y ago

"Do mostly cardio, but also some weights." Disagree. I'd recommend the opposite, do mostly weights and some cardio. You don't need to buy equipment, barbells etc., bodyweight exercises is weight/strength training. However, both should be done! Cardio is good for your heart. But it's easy and healthy enough to maintain a good aerobic fitness just once a week. Weight training keeps you burning calories and I think strength is more practical/useful in our day to day lives, thus having a greater impact on your psyche. Bottomline, something is better than nothing. And if you love running... go for it.

brandonmenc 6y ago
Cardio gains diminish faster than resistance training gains, so the recommendation of "mostly cardio, some weights" is likely correct for general health, and I say this as someone who lifts weights more than I do cardio.
dunefox 6y ago
Kettlebells are the perfect solution for this, in my opinion. It's insane how much exercise I get out of them in a short amount of time.
- pbrb 6y ago
  I second this. Something as basic as the simple and sinister program is all you need. Or HIIT-ish calisthenics if you don't have kettlebells. I know that weights are better than cardio, but cardio has major benefits for me that I can't ignore. Stress melts off, and I feel much more clear minded + focused with regular cardio. It also seems to keep my metabolism really high. I'm in my late 30s and eat like a teenager (in quantity of food) while staying lean with decent muscle mass.
  - hawktheslayer 6y ago
    Agree with you both. I have 3 kettlebells (1, 1.5 and 2 poods) and a yoga mat right outside my back door and it eliminates all my excuses. Even on low motivation mornings I can still bang out 40 swings and some snatches. And it's the perfect thing before coffee/work.
the_only_law 6y ago
> I'd recommend the opposite, do mostly weights and some cardio. You don't need to buy equipment, barbells etc., bodyweight exercises is weight/strength training. Is this, along with diet, sufficient to put on weight? I really need to gain 50 or so pounds at least and have never been able to do so. Even my brother, who routinely works out now is still pretty thin for his height. I've had a lot of people tell me you have to go to a gym for the equipment programs, but I'm not sure as it seems everyone tries to sell you something.
- TACIXAT 6y ago
  I've done calisthenics for a lot of my life, I'm lean and strong (6'1" 160lbs). 50lbs is a lot and would be a serious gain even with weights unless you're really thin. I would focus more on ability, can you do 10 pull ups? Can you do 10 sets of 10 pull ups in a day? Can you do 50 body weight squats? Can you do 20 sets of 50 body weight squats in a day? Get those numbers up rather than having a weight goal.
  - the_only_law 6y ago
    Maybe. I used to be a lot more active than I was before and my primarily sedentary life doesn’t help. I’m the same height as you, but 30-40 pounds less. I’m not sure how worried I should be at this weight. Too add, while many people in are rather thin (I mentioned my brother). My father is pretty well built nowadays. Although he was also thin in his younger days, he managed to get into the Marine Corp later, so I imagine that helped.
    - TACIXAT 6y ago
      If you're my height you can for sure get to 175 with calisthenics. It'll take a while but you'll be building amazing functional strength in that time.
  - hermitcrab 6y ago
    I agree that weight is not a good a metric of fitness. Since the pandemic started I have had to stop my 1-on-1 kickboxing sessions. My weight hasn't changed much, but I have definitely lost muscle and gained fat. This became very clear when I tried on my swimming wetsuit. It went from tight around the shoulders and arms to tight around the waist!
watwut 6y ago
Cardio is more fun for many people. That is big thing imo in regular exercising - whether you find the activity at least somewhat fun.
jonas_schmitt 6y ago
You still should not confuse your own anecdotal experience with actual evidence. Of course some strength training is beneficial, but the majority of the studies that I've seen rather promote the claim that sufficient cardio exercise is the cornerstone of a long and healthy life. Some recent papers that immediately come to my mind: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28365296/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28365296/ https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/40/1/34/5193508 https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/40/1/34/5193508 https://www.pnas.org/content/116/40/19905 https://www.pnas.org/content/116/40/19905

by throw7 6y ago

brandonmenc 6y ago

Cardio gains diminish faster than resistance training gains, so the recommendation of "mostly cardio, some weights" is likely correct for general health, and I say this as someone who lifts weights more than I do cardio.

dunefox 6y ago

Kettlebells are the perfect solution for this, in my opinion. It's insane how much exercise I get out of them in a short amount of time.

pbrb 6y ago
I second this. Something as basic as the simple and sinister program is all you need. Or HIIT-ish calisthenics if you don't have kettlebells. I know that weights are better than cardio, but cardio has major benefits for me that I can't ignore. Stress melts off, and I feel much more clear minded + focused with regular cardio. It also seems to keep my metabolism really high. I'm in my late 30s and eat like a teenager (in quantity of food) while staying lean with decent muscle mass.
- hawktheslayer 6y ago
  Agree with you both. I have 3 kettlebells (1, 1.5 and 2 poods) and a yoga mat right outside my back door and it eliminates all my excuses. Even on low motivation mornings I can still bang out 40 swings and some snatches. And it's the perfect thing before coffee/work.

the_only_law 6y ago

> I'd recommend the opposite, do mostly weights and some cardio. You don't need to buy equipment, barbells etc., bodyweight exercises is weight/strength training. Is this, along with diet, sufficient to put on weight? I really need to gain 50 or so pounds at least and have never been able to do so. Even my brother, who routinely works out now is still pretty thin for his height. I've had a lot of people tell me you have to go to a gym for the equipment programs, but I'm not sure as it seems everyone tries to sell you something.

TACIXAT 6y ago
I've done calisthenics for a lot of my life, I'm lean and strong (6'1" 160lbs). 50lbs is a lot and would be a serious gain even with weights unless you're really thin. I would focus more on ability, can you do 10 pull ups? Can you do 10 sets of 10 pull ups in a day? Can you do 50 body weight squats? Can you do 20 sets of 50 body weight squats in a day? Get those numbers up rather than having a weight goal.
- the_only_law 6y ago
  Maybe. I used to be a lot more active than I was before and my primarily sedentary life doesn’t help. I’m the same height as you, but 30-40 pounds less. I’m not sure how worried I should be at this weight. Too add, while many people in are rather thin (I mentioned my brother). My father is pretty well built nowadays. Although he was also thin in his younger days, he managed to get into the Marine Corp later, so I imagine that helped.
  - TACIXAT 6y ago
    If you're my height you can for sure get to 175 with calisthenics. It'll take a while but you'll be building amazing functional strength in that time.
- hermitcrab 6y ago
  I agree that weight is not a good a metric of fitness. Since the pandemic started I have had to stop my 1-on-1 kickboxing sessions. My weight hasn't changed much, but I have definitely lost muscle and gained fat. This became very clear when I tried on my swimming wetsuit. It went from tight around the shoulders and arms to tight around the waist!

watwut 6y ago

Cardio is more fun for many people. That is big thing imo in regular exercising - whether you find the activity at least somewhat fun.

jonas_schmitt 6y ago

You still should not confuse your own anecdotal experience with actual evidence. Of course some strength training is beneficial, but the majority of the studies that I've seen rather promote the claim that sufficient cardio exercise is the cornerstone of a long and healthy life. Some recent papers that immediately come to my mind: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28365296/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28365296/ https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/40/1/34/5193508 https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/40/1/34/5193508 https://www.pnas.org/content/116/40/19905 https://www.pnas.org/content/116/40/19905