Hi Jerry…here’s a good rule of thumb…always do your cardio after your strength training so you have the greatest strength to lift the weights. Aim for 30 minutes of cardio, but if you do high intensity interval training you may be able to reduce this even down to 15mins. If you’re sprinting you are going to boost your fat burning metabolism.

I once read in a magazine or health article, that a certain amount of cardio time is needed in order to start burning fat. I am unsure if it is 30 or 40 min. At any rate, during the initial threshold, the body relies on carbs for energy, and after that specific amount of time, it starts relying on fat. If I am combining some cardio aimed at burning fat, and strength training aimed at building muscle, how much time should I devote to my cardio training and which training should I do first? I am concerned that consuming the glycogen reserves first during cardio, necessary to begin burning fat, will deplete the energy stores needed for my strength training to build muscle mass. Maybe I could do strength first and then cardio?

Thanks!

Definitely if it is getting your heart rate up then it is a good variation in your cardio workouts.

would you consider water skiing a cardio workout…slolemn skiing? When I do it I am going back and forth in and out of the wake…never just staying straight behind the boat

I know it’s got a bit of a reputation (and is probably only useful for the ladies), but pole dancing has been an immensely fun and confidence-building form of cardio. As well as that, all the lifts and inverts help with muscle building. It was actually pole dancing that got me into doing proper gym workouts, as I have an excellent teacher who gives diet and exercise advice too.

Sam this a fantastic piece on making cardio fun. I thought i would just throw in a few more I think are great too. I live in the deep south Texas(McAllen). so I will be trying the surfing lessons for myself. I think if you have access to water like us here in the form of a river, lake or ocean kayaking can be a ton of fun also. Another one I like is mountain biking. It doesn’t even have to be competitive. If you jsut go through some of the trails with some friends you can get an amazing workout and really enjoy it better than being in a club. Last one I’d like to mention is skating at the local skating rink. I like this one personally because as a father it is something I can do with my girls and I really have a great time rain or shine. Sam I like what you have been posting. Keep up the great work buddy.
Jorge

You bet Jen, snowboarding is definitely a cardio workout as well, the intensity just depends on how far you take it!

I’ve found snowboarding to be a great muscle building workout. However, do you consider snowboarding a cardio workout?

I always mix up the cardio. If I am having a rough day and just can’t face anything for 30 full minutes. I will do 3 or 4 machines for 10 minutes each. Keeps me motivated and makes the time fly by!!!!!