Cardio!

[brandieg]

ok ill start, i do 45 minutes of cardio on an empty stomach. the basic walk.. what about the rest of you? how is your cardio sessions laid out for you? i have done the running first thing and seemed to look tired throughout my lower half. although the tired look could actually be my age..haha:D:D:D

[KP DIVA]

Hey!!!! My 1st session of cardio is 1st thing in the morning on an empty stomach also. I do an hour. My 2nd session is usually between 1-3pm....and if I do 3rd session it's right before go'n 2 bed. Right now I'm averaging 2 session 4 days/wk. and 3 sessions 2 days/wk.

[NPCFigure 40]

I do cardio 5x week at 45-50 min a session. I use a 30lbs weighted vest with the elliptical or on a treadmill at a 10-12% incline. I really want to try using it with the step mill soon. Trying to shred up my legs! I also do it first thing in am on an empty stomach (after having a coffee! :D)

[SBT]

I do cardio 3 x week at 30 min a session, two of those being when I teach spin classes which winds up being about 40-45 I guess with warm-up and cool down. On the third day I prefer to do the step mill but sometimes I will just walk at an incline too.

[Erin]

Hey!!!! My 1st session of cardio is 1st thing in the morning on an empty stomach also. I do an hour. My 2nd session is usually between 1-3pm....and if I do 3rd session it's right before go'n 2 bed. Right now I'm averaging 2 session 4 days/wk. and 3 sessions 2 days/wk.


I think I would inflict pain on myself if I had to do 3 sessions. Good God. More power to ya!! :respect:

[Siouxcountry]

I think I would inflict pain on myself if I had to do 3 sessions. Good God. More power to ya!! :respect:

It's about time you posted here! :D

Welcome my friend. :)

[MsGuns]

I hate cardio...
Im a lil behind prep schedule right now so I am doing 40 min in the AM and 20 min at night 6 days a wk....if I cant get in the AM cardio then I have 50 min at night

My 1st show I only had to do 30 min and my competitor friends hated me..lol

Im FIT year round and Im a hard gainer so the cardio sumtimes hurts my physique while prepping for a show...but once I clean up my diet people think Im getting BIGGER but its just my body get defined...lol

Off season I DONT do cardio only if I have a photoshoot and I do that a month out @ 30 min days a week...

[KP DIVA]

I think I would inflict pain on myself if I had to do 3 sessions. Good God. More power to ya!! :respect:

LOL! It is painful......thank God I don't have to do it daily!!

[IslandGirl]

I think I would inflict pain on myself if I had to do 3 sessions. Good God. More power to ya!! :respect:

Hey Erin! Welcome to SC!

[IslandGirl]

I'm in the off-season right now so I'm only doing cardio 2-3x a week/20 mins.

[KP DIVA]

I hate cardio...
Im a lil behind prep schedule right now so I am doing 40 min in the AM and 20 min at night 6 days a wk....if I cant get in the AM cardio then I have 50 min at night

My 1st show I only had to do 30 min and my competitor friends hated me..lol

Im FIT year round and Im a hard gainer so the cardio sumtimes hurts my physique while prepping for a show...but once I clean up my diet people think Im getting BIGGER but its just my body get defined...lol

Off season I DONT do cardio only if I have a photoshoot and I do that a month out @ 30 min days a week...


This was for my show in Nov. 2007...I started at 13 weeks, but the weight just was not coming off, so it was a drastic move. I hadn't competed in 8 yrs. so I had an extensive amount of BF to get rid of. Right now, I just want to get as much weight off as possible now, luckily I don't have nearly as much BF to drop, but I want my last 3 weeks it will be smooth sailing.

[MsGuns]

Thats why I stay FIT yr around...

BF was 8.5 on Tuesday...

This was for my show in Nov. 2007...I started at 13 weeks, but the weight just was not coming off, so it was a drastic move. I hadn't competed in 8 yrs. so I had an extensive amount of BF to get rid of. Right now, I just want to get as much weight off as possible now, luckily I don't have nearly as much BF to drop, but I want my last 3 weeks it will be smooth sailing.

[KP DIVA]

Thats why I stay FIT yr around...

BF was 8.5 on Tuesday...

Don't know if my BF could ever be 8.5 on a regular day...but I sure have learned my lesson about get'n 2 far off from competition weight!!

[MsGuns]

purposely put on a lot muscle off season and then have to work extra hard to get it off...

Don't know if my BF could ever be 8.5 on a regular day...but I sure have learned my lesson about get'n 2 far off from competition weight!!

[SBT]

Thats why I stay FIT yr around...

BF was 8.5 on Tuesday...

SO you maintain sub 10% :confused:

[MsGuns]

I cant remember what I was when I started back in 2003...

But i think i can say ive never been over 10% even when i went from 135 in 2003 to 150 offseason 2007

SO you maintain sub 10% :confused:

[SBT]

I cant remember what I was when I started back in 2003...

But i think i can say ive never been over 10% even when i went from 135 in 2003 to 150 offseason 2007

Hmmm thats pretty impressive I guess... I was under the impression the VAST MAJORITY of competitors get up to a healthy 15% or so in the off season?!

[MsGuns]

Thx for the compliment...
I have an extensive track background (15 yrs) and I came in w/ a high metabolism...Also, I guess Im not trying to get bigger or bulky during off season...

Hmmm thats pretty impressive I guess... I was under the impression the VAST MAJORITY of competitors get up to a healthy 15% or so in the off season?!

[SBT]

I have an extensive track background (15 yrs) and I came in w/ a high metabolism...Also, I guess Im not trying to get bigger or bulky during off season...

Yeah I wasn't so blessed... also have the athletic background of high school and college sports but I was a little fat @$$ back then :rolleyes:

[bree marsh]

I hate cardio...
Im a lil behind prep schedule right now so I am doing 40 min in the AM and 20 min at night 6 days a wk....if I cant get in the AM cardio then I have 50 min at night

My 1st show I only had to do 30 min and my competitor friends hated me..lol

Im FIT year round and Im a hard gainer so the cardio sumtimes hurts my physique while prepping for a show...but once I clean up my diet people think Im getting BIGGER but its just my body get defined...lol

Off season I DONT do cardio only if I have a photoshoot and I do that a month out @ 30 min days a week...

i am definitely a lot like you on this aspect of training, i only do about 30min a day when prepping and pretty much no cardio off season, aside from hiking and just keeping busy! people also think i am getting bigger when i diet, but really i am just shredding BF and my muscles appear bigger, it's really funny to me!

[fitmomma3]

I'm just getting back into the swing of more cardio and BLAH it blows! lol Once I get into it I like it but waking up at 4:45 IS NO FUN!

[MsGuns]

Yes, another one like me...I felt like IG and NCFitDiva for a min (another thread) the "only one" not doing what VAST Majority is doing (SBT word...smile)

I hear them tellin my trainer...WOW I can tell Drexel is getting ready for a show she is getting HUGE...LOL...I am nowhere near HUGE...

but it also cracks me up...the people who have trainers and they dont see results but stick w/ them...they are the main ones staring at me...I wanna tell them...your trainer doesnt know what he is talking about...I havent seen yalls physique make a change and its been months...


i am definitely a lot like you on this aspect of training, i only do about 30min a day when prepping and pretty much no cardio off season, aside from hiking and just keeping busy! people also think i am getting bigger when i diet, but really i am just shredding BF and my muscles appear bigger, it's really funny to me!

[Shelly]

i am definitely a lot like you on this aspect of training, i only do about 30min a day when prepping and pretty much no cardio off season, aside from hiking and just keeping busy! people also think i am getting bigger when i diet, but really i am just shredding BF and my muscles appear bigger, it's really funny to me!

LUCKY GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am jealous!!! Its nto hard for me to get down to show weight but i still do double sessions of 30 min atleast 305 times a week during prep...even if its just incline walking.



but




right now since its offseason, 20-30 min 3x per week! Das it!:D

[MsGuns]

I was told by other competitors Im not doing my cardio right if I dont come off drenched...

I dont sweat that much during weight work out...

Bree, with your 30 min to you sweat a lot?

I know I get a light flim across my body...

So this time Ive worn long tights and long sleeve shirt to do cardio but im not coming off drenched but more sweat than before...lol

[MsGuns]

WOW thats a lot of cardio...LOL


LUCKY GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am jealous!!! Its nto hard for me to get down to show weight but i still do double sessions of 30 min atleast 305 times a week during prep...even if its just incline walking.



but




right now since its offseason, 20-30 min 3x per week! Das it!:D

[KP DIVA]

I cant remember what I was when I started back in 2003...

But i think i can say ive never been over 10% even when i went from 135 in 2003 to 150 offseason 2007

Wow...very impressive...I haven't had my body fat checked in forever....just easier w/ the mirror for me...but way back in the day prior to even competing when I was trainning w/ the guys I did have it checked and I was at 13%. I was probably around 7-8 at my last show.

Never understood why ppl gain the muscle to loose it again. For my off season my main concentration was to maintain what I have and just tighten up the glutes.

[KP DIVA]

I was told by other competitors Im not doing my cardio right if I dont come off drenched...

I dont sweat that much during weight work out...

Bree, with your 30 min to you sweat a lot?

I know I get a light flim across my body...

So this time Ive worn long tights and long sleeve shirt to do cardio but im not coming off drenched but more sweat than before...lol

My cardio is pretty moderate speed so I don't sweat much....just a few drops on my forhead....put no matter how moderate of a speed I'm always drenched when doing cardio on the step mill.

[KP DIVA]

Yes, another one like me...I felt like IG and NCFitDiva for a min (another thread) the "only one" not doing what VAST Majority is doing (SBT word...smile)

I hear them tellin my trainer...WOW I can tell Drexel is getting ready for a show she is getting HUGE...LOL...I am nowhere near HUGE...

but it also cracks me up...the people who have trainers and they dont see results but stick w/ them...they are the main ones staring at me...I wanna tell them...your trainer doesnt know what he is talking about...I havent seen yalls physique make a change and its been months...


I wish I was that fortunate not to have to do cardio...but genetically my body likes to keep a decent amount of BF..so it's me fighting w/ nature!

[MsGuns]

But I wanted and still do wanna bring my legs in tighter...
My upper body is cut yr round...prepping for show OMG they look crazy...not like Dee Lazard but Im getting there...smile

My damn legs always take a long time to come in...
I use to run stadium stairs once a week but the University is not people friendly anymore...theyve closed it so us workout freaks wont get in...what harm are we doing?...you cant wear out concrete...lol

Wow...very impressive...I haven't had my body fat checked in forever....just easier w/ the mirror for me...but way back in the day prior to even competing when I was trainning w/ the guys I did have it checked and I was at 13%. I was probably around 7-8 at my last show.

Never understood why ppl gain the muscle to loose it again. For my off season my main concentration was to maintain what I have and just tighten up the glutes.

[MsGuns]

I thought I was goin to die and it wasnt even 5 min...lol
How long do you stay on it?

At my old gym a trainer put out a bet that whoever can stay on the stepmill for an hr he would give them $100...one gurl did it and he didnt want to pay up cause he didnt see it and was like people can lie for you...WTF


That is the equipment that looks like an escalator, right?

My cardio is pretty moderate speed so I don't sweat much....just a few drops on my forhead....put no matter how moderate of a speed I'm always drenched when doing cardio on the step mill.

[A-G]

Currently I'm doing 30 minutes, six days per week in the morning before breakfast. I've been walking outside, rain or shine, and I actually really enjoy it! Nice change from endless rotations on a machine.

[KP DIVA]

But I wanted and still do wanna bring my legs in tighter...
My upper body is cut yr round...prepping for show OMG they look crazy...not like Dee Lazard but Im getting there...smile

My damn legs always take a long time to come in...
I use to run stadium stairs once a week but the University is not people friendly anymore...theyve closed it so us workout freaks wont get in...what harm are we doing?...you cant wear out concrete...lol

LOL, no can't wear out concrete....think eveybody is hyper sensitive w/ all the crime go'n on at college campuses.

[KP DIVA]

I thought I was goin to die and it wasnt even 5 min...lol
How long do you stay on it?

At my old gym a trainer put out a bet that whoever can stay on the stepmill for an hr he would give them $100...one gurl did it and he didnt want to pay up cause he didnt see it and was like people can lie for you...WTF


That is the equipment that looks like an escalator, right?

Dang, I would have won sooo much money during my last prep. I would do my 1st session on the stepmill for 1 hr. then the other 2 sessions would be 30min stepmill, 30min incline walk.

Yes, the machine that looks like the escalator..you want 2 shred your legs...that's the machine you need to incorporate into your cardio.....it worked wonders for my glutes...I'm really anxious to see how my glutes looks this year...I started training them 2x a week after my last show....so hope w/ the additional training and steps I should be good to go.

[KP DIVA]

Currently I'm doing 30 minutes, six days per week in the morning before breakfast. I've been walking outside, rain or shine, and I actually really enjoy it! Nice change from endless rotations on a machine.

Any cardio outside beats the machines....I'm just so fearful of dogs....and lately ppl have been get'n sexually assualted in the parks. There is a safe area that I feel comfortable walking at but it's tooo far away w/ these crazy gas prices!!!

[MsGuns]

My new gym doesnt have that crazy machine...lol

Dang, I would have won sooo much money during my last prep. I would do my 1st session on the stepmill for 1 hr. then the other 2 sessions would be 30min stepmill, 30min incline walk.

Yes, the machine that looks like the escalator..you want 2 shred your legs...that's the machine you need to incorporate into your cardio.....it worked wonders for my glutes...I'm really anxious to see how my glutes looks this year...I started training them 2x a week after my last show....so hope w/ the additional training and steps I should be good to go.

[JLB001]

I thought I was goin to die and it wasnt even 5 min...lol
How long do you stay on it?

At my old gym a trainer put out a bet that whoever can stay on the stepmill for an hr he would give them $100...one gurl did it and he didnt want to pay up cause he didnt see it and was like people can lie for you...WTF


That is the equipment that looks like an escalator, right?

Drex...I can do 2 hours on that thing in full sweats toward the end of my preps. I should collect on your old trainers bet.

Right now being 19 weeks out doing 4 45 ins sessions on whatever peice of cardio equipment I want. At the 16 week mark its strictly on the Millohell.

[MsGuns]

I would be under the machine...lol

4 45 min sessions 4 days a week or 4 times a day...DAMN if its 4 times a day...lol

Drex...I can do 2 hours on that thing in full sweats toward the end of my preps. I should collect on your old trainers bet.

Right now being 19 weeks out doing 4 45 ins sessions on whatever peice of cardio equipment I want. At the 16 week mark its strictly on the Millohell.

[Shelly]

Drex...I can do 2 hours on that thing in full sweats toward the end of my preps. I should collect on your old trainers bet.

Right now being 19 weeks out doing 4 45 ins sessions on whatever peice of cardio equipment I want. At the 16 week mark its strictly on the Millohell.

LMAO

[KP DIVA]

My new gym doesnt have that crazy machine...lol

LOL! I'm crazy...I had a gym membership already...but I joined a new gym specifically for that machine!! And what's funny is that it was my machine b/c the avg. person never gets on it...no matter the time of day it was free. I can only think of one time that it was being used in the last 9 months. We've moved in to the permanent gym now so there are 4, so i don't have any excuses.

[KP DIVA]

Drex...I can do 2 hours on that thing in full sweats toward the end of my preps. I should collect on your old trainers bet.

Right now being 19 weeks out doing 4 45 ins sessions on whatever peice of cardio equipment I want. At the 16 week mark its strictly on the Millohell.

Now that's a killer.....2hrs!!! Whew, I'd be dead!

[KMS]

I am currently at 45 min 5 days a week. I usually just stay here. Then during prep...it CAN but doesn't always get up to 40 min two and sometimes even 3 times. My goal is to never get that high during prep again

[Shelly]

I am currently at 45 min 5 days a week. I usually just stay here. Then during prep...it CAN but doesn't always get up to 40 min two and sometimes even 3 times. My goal is to never get that high during prep again

u look great Kat..... meant to tell u!:kiss:

[JLB001]

Now that's a killer.....2hrs!!! Whew, I'd be dead!

I split it. An hour in the am on empty tummy, then an hour after wo in the pm.

[Erin]

It's about time you posted here! :D

Welcome my friend. :)

Wow this thread moved fast! I know, Sioux!! I am so sorry it took so darn long!!! Better late than never. :rolleyes:

[Erin]

Hey Erin! Welcome to SC!

Thanks pretty lady!!! It's good to be here back with Sioux!

[Siouxcountry]

Thanks pretty lady!!! It's good to be here back with Sioux!

And it's great to have you here. :hug:

[Hakan]

at the moment(just until sunday this week) I do 3sessions of cardio incl. my weigt training.
Morgning cardio are 60min on some kind of cardio maschine and with only a 20ml. Liqued Amino in the stomac.
2.cardio is done in the middle of the day (30-45 min) and the last session is done around 7pm at night for 30-45 min

[Alli]

I barely EVER do cardio in the off season....lol.

[Alli]

pre contest I do 3 days a.m cardio for an hour on an empty stomach. I also do 3 days a week track workouts in the a.m. (sprints, bleacher work, etc). I only do cardio for the first 6 weeks or so of dieting too.

[Mightymouse]

For me in the offseason, I either don't do any cardio or I do maybe 30 mins three times a week.

When prepping I start out with 30 to 45 mins of cardio in the am on empty stomach, and move up to 1 hour in the am and then eventually 30 to 60 mins at night closer to the show, all depends on how I am coming in.

I have never so far had to do more then two hours a day if that

[Valerie Haines]

Off season (for me) is usually 30-45 minutes 5 days a week.
Prep usually doesnt change that much, just the intensity. I do bump it up to 6 days a week, and go a little longer, like 45-60 minutes per day

[MsGuns]

I finally got up for AM cardio...

I normally watch a movie to pass the time...
But today I wanted to read the article in MD...

Ok I have wireless net in my house...I dont know why I thought that extended to outside my house...

Well, smart ole me took the laptop to the fitness center...I was going to do the bike while I read the article...

Well my light bulb came on as I was tryin to open the door...how will I read the article there is no wireless net in the center..lol

But guess what it allowed me to stay on and I read it...but it wouldnt let me go to the next page to read the comments...

Then the DVD TVs in the center werent playing my DVD and I was hot then...but thought hey I have my laptop...so I had a great AM cardio...

2morrow I will get in there w/ a better attitude...smile

[kip]

what is the deal with fasted cardio (ie. in the am)??? a lot of research finds that this is not ideal ... not that it doesn't work for some, and not that it doesn't burn fat, but just that it may not work better than downing at least a little protein or BCAAs prior ... at the very least pre-cardio protein serves as an insurance policy

here's an excerpt from a tom venuto interview ... right or wrong, you may find it useful:

"CB: You rank “fasted cardio in the morning” as a high risk, high benefit activity for fat loss. Is this something that you use yourself or with clients?

TV: Because it’s high risk, it’s not necessarily a fat loss technique I recommend for everyone all the time. But I’m not afraid to use it and I believe it has benefits that can outweigh the risks, depending on the circumstances. I usually do fasted cardio in the morning about 8-12 weeks before a competition. But it depends on my weekly results. If I’m losing fat quickly and easily, I don’t need to use any high-risk techniques. Sometimes I’ll still do cardio in the morning, because I like doing it then, but I’ll have a whey protein drink or even a whole meal shortly beforehand.

I like to have an enormous amount of flexibility in my approach. If there’s a plateau in fat loss, I want to be able to dig into my bag of tricks and have a lot of stuff in there to pull out when I need it. If you only have one way and you get stuck, you have a problem. I don’t like rigid formulas. I like freedom to choose my approach according to how things are going."

[MsGuns]

I was up at 445AM...at the gym by 5:00 and did 45 min of cardio...
Got home packed meals for 2day and made 1st meal...
Yeah babee!!!

[KP DIVA]

I was up at 445AM...at the gym by 5:00 and did 45 min of cardio...
Got home packed meals for 2day and made 1st meal...
Yeah babee!!!

You go girl! I didn't make it this AM...will have to settle for mid afternoon and evening sessions today.

[Alli]

it's my understanding that a.m cardio is ONLY effective if you still get your first meal in within an hour of waking up- i.e you need to literally get up, get moving, get back, and eat. It's tricky, but when done right burns fat from what I've heard:)

[Shelly]

what is the deal with fasted cardio (ie. in the am)??? a lot of research finds that this is not ideal ... not that it doesn't work for some, and not that it doesn't burn fat, but just that it may not work better than downing at least a little protein or BCAAs prior ... at the very least pre-cardio protein serves as an insurance policy

here's an excerpt from a tom venuto interview ... right or wrong, you may find it useful:

"CB: You rank “fasted cardio in the morning” as a high risk, high benefit activity for fat loss. Is this something that you use yourself or with clients?

TV: Because it’s high risk, it’s not necessarily a fat loss technique I recommend for everyone all the time. But I’m not afraid to use it and I believe it has benefits that can outweigh the risks, depending on the circumstances. I usually do fasted cardio in the morning about 8-12 weeks before a competition. But it depends on my weekly results. If I’m losing fat quickly and easily, I don’t need to use any high-risk techniques. Sometimes I’ll still do cardio in the morning, because I like doing it then, but I’ll have a whey protein drink or even a whole meal shortly beforehand.

I like to have an enormous amount of flexibility in my approach. If there’s a plateau in fat loss, I want to be able to dig into my bag of tricks and have a lot of stuff in there to pull out when I need it. If you only have one way and you get stuck, you have a problem. I don’t like rigid formulas. I like freedom to choose my approach according to how things are going."


all I know is that during prep I have AM cardio 5 days a week, and then less in the PM... BUT always do AM... i thought it was more effective at burning cals as opposed to doing it PM...

either way Am cardio is essential for my onseason prep.

now, not so much:p

[sixzebra]

My last contest I didn't do any cardio and I paid for it bigtime! So now I've added it back in, 30-40 mins of moderate cardio 4-5 x a week. I love doing cardio so I didn't mind one bit putting this back into my workout.

[fitmomma3]

I only have fasted cardio in the AM for the first few weeks of dieting (when I'm a heffer LOL)... as I start to lean out I have protein before my AM cardio usually chicken and egg whites sometimes w/ spinach... fasted is easier as who wants to eat chicken at 4:45 in the morning BUT I eat IT in fear of losing muscle.

[KP DIVA]

I think it just depends on the individual person and how their body responds. For me, cardio on an empty stomach works best. I can do cardio in the evening all day long, and I'll just maintain my weight...but to get the scale moving I have to incorporate that AM session...and luckily for me, sacrificing muscle is not an issue.

I'm sure there are bazillion variables as to why one person who does AM cardio on an empty stomach burns muscle and another person does not. Maybe they are relatively lean to begin with, muscle maturity, the intensity of their cardio, etc....all of that plays into why the body may switch from burning fat to burning up your hard earned muscle.


what is the deal with fasted cardio (ie. in the am)??? a lot of research finds that this is not ideal ... not that it doesn't work for some, and not that it doesn't burn fat, but just that it may not work better than downing at least a little protein or BCAAs prior ... at the very least pre-cardio protein serves as an insurance policy

here's an excerpt from a tom venuto interview ... right or wrong, you may find it useful:

"CB: You rank “fasted cardio in the morning” as a high risk, high benefit activity for fat loss. Is this something that you use yourself or with clients?

TV: Because it’s high risk, it’s not necessarily a fat loss technique I recommend for everyone all the time. But I’m not afraid to use it and I believe it has benefits that can outweigh the risks, depending on the circumstances. I usually do fasted cardio in the morning about 8-12 weeks before a competition. But it depends on my weekly results. If I’m losing fat quickly and easily, I don’t need to use any high-risk techniques. Sometimes I’ll still do cardio in the morning, because I like doing it then, but I’ll have a whey protein drink or even a whole meal shortly beforehand.

I like to have an enormous amount of flexibility in my approach. If there’s a plateau in fat loss, I want to be able to dig into my bag of tricks and have a lot of stuff in there to pull out when I need it. If you only have one way and you get stuck, you have a problem. I don’t like rigid formulas. I like freedom to choose my approach according to how things are going."

[Badgergrl]

I barely EVER do cardio in the off season....lol.

Werd.

I'm enjoying not having to do the 2 45 min. sessions I did while dieting.

Right now I'm shooting for just 30 min. 3x a week.....low intensity.

[fitmomma3]

I barely EVER do cardio in the off season....lol.
X 2!!! EVER!

[Alli]

X 2!!! EVER!

good for you:) neither does Jamie Reed. The point being this- your body only responds to CHANGE- it plateus when it becomes accustomed to the level of exercise you do. THEREFORE- the more cardio you do in your offseason- the more you must do in your on-season to push results. Hence me not doing much in my off season because I don't have the energy to be a cardio queen come contest time. :)

[bree marsh]

good for you:) neither does Jamie Reed. The point being this- your body only responds to CHANGE- it plateus when it becomes accustomed to the level of exercise you do. THEREFORE- the more cardio you do in your offseason- the more you must do in your on-season to push results. Hence me not doing much in my off season because I don't have the energy to be a cardio queen come contest time. :)

ditto here! the only cardio i really do off season is hiking and mountain biking with my hubby!

[fitmomma3]

good for you:) neither does Jamie Reed. The point being this- your body only responds to CHANGE- it plateus when it becomes accustomed to the level of exercise you do. THEREFORE- the more cardio you do in your offseason- the more you must do in your on-season to push results. Hence me not doing much in my off season because I don't have the energy to be a cardio queen come contest time. :)Plus my goal in the off season is to GAIN and I'[d have a hard time gaining if I did too much cardio... this was the first off season I did any... and it allowed me to eat MORE lol but I still didn't do much at all... the only down side is I tried sprints the other day and felt SO out of shape LOL... but on the flip side I can only imagine how much it SPIKED my metabolism!

[Suzanne]

I thought I was goin to die and it wasnt even 5 min...lol
How long do you stay on it?

At my old gym a trainer put out a bet that whoever can stay on the stepmill for an hr he would give them $100...one gurl did it and he didnt want to pay up cause he didnt see it and was like people can lie for you...WTF

That is the equipment that looks like an escalator, right?

man i could have made ALOT of money at your gym!!!!! in prep i have often done 2 a days 60 min stepmill

[Noel Clark]

I add in some contest prep but not much. Thank goodness :D

[Shelly]

Plus my goal in the off season is to GAIN and I'[d have a hard time gaining if I did too much cardio... this was the first off season I did any... and it allowed me to eat MORE lol but I still didn't do much at all... the only down side is I tried sprints the other day and felt SO out of shape LOL... but on the flip side I can only imagine how much it SPIKED my metabolism!

im with ya lady- i just did abs today- no cardio... i can walk 30 min 3 x a week and it inhibits my growth i swear....okay that may be an exhaggeration but ya know what i mean...
so screw it!;)

[Shelly]

I add in some contest prep but not much. Thank goodness :D

You do so little cardio i envy you:awesome:

[Neely]

I add in some contest prep but not much. Thank goodness :D

Same here :D


you put up an avi! YAY! haha ;)

[Rebecca Lynn Slatt]

Hey!!!! My 1st session of cardio is 1st thing in the morning on an empty stomach also. I do an hour. My 2nd session is usually between 1-3pm....and if I do 3rd session it's right before go'n 2 bed. Right now I'm averaging 2 session 4 days/wk. and 3 sessions 2 days/wk.

OMG the MOST cardio I have EVER done is 60mins/day and that was not until I was about 2 wks out!

HOLY crap I would NOT have the patience for that! :respect:

[Scarl3tbutt3rfly]

I try to get away with the littlest amount of cardio possible. And I hate any sort of running! My last show I only did walking about 30 min a day, 6 days a week. In offseason I try to do no more than 20 min a session of walking only, a 3-4 days a week.