Random cardio

C

ChrisJG

0
I have recently become a fan of the 'random' programs that a lot of gym cardio equipment seem to offer and I was wondering how it compares to HIIT or hill programs (my previous favourite). The fluctuation from high to low intensity can be quite rapid and there is a reasonable amount of moderate intensity thrown in for good measure. The longest a single intensity will last is probably around 40 secs but, its usually less.

Does anyone know if there is any method behind it as I enjoy the unpredictability of these workouts.

Whilst I'm on the subject of cardio, having read a lot of posts on this forum, I'm concerned that I may be doing too much. I train 5 times a week (sometimes 6) - 3 days will be 30mins cardio, 40mins weights, 30 mins cardio. The remaining 2 or 3 days will be anywhere between 75 and 120mins cardio. I understand the logic that, at some point, the body will look to the muscles for energy but, I don't understand why or at what point that happens. Assuming its 60mins, does that mean that any cardio I am doing after 60mins is completely counter-productive?
 
Depending on what level you put the "Random" cardio session on, it rarely refelcts HIIT training. Everyone has the conception that HIIT traininig is the "thing". No one has ever reached HIIT levels! You think becasue you are breathing hard you are training HIIT?? No, you are breathing hard becasue you are out of shape!
If you want cardio that resembles HIIT, try a spinning class, with a real good instructor. If your diet is secure, don't worry about "musces being burned for energy". Muscle heads say that all the time to compensate fro the lack of cardio they do.
 
I usually go for level 15 (scale is from 1 - 20 with 20 being the highest). I don't think for a second that it is an equivalent to HIIT, I just wondered how it compares in the sense that the intensity is constantly fluctuating throughout the workout rather than remaining static. I have only attempted HIIT once on a treadmill. 1 minute jog, 1 minute sprint, 1 minute jog etc. After 10 mins, I was done! Its something I plan on incorporating more into my workout as my fitness levels increase.

Funny you should mention spin classes - I was planning on taking one soon.

I'm pretty happy with my diet so, I'll just keep putting the time in on the cardio. I'm pretty happy with the results so far and I've not noticed any reduction in muscle mass and I've only been toning which would make any reduction more noticeable.

Thanks for the response.
 
My friend...if you think "1 minute jog, 1 minute sprint, 1 minute jog is HIIT training". Then you got another think coming...
 
I would have thought the the "High Intensity" element of HIIT is different for everyone. ie - whats high intensity for me, would be considered to be a lower intensity for someone who has a higher fitness level. As it stands, doing that for 10 mins wore me out whereas if I just run at a moderate pace (somewhere between jogging and sprinting), an hour wouldn't cause me any problems. That to me is high intensity.

If I am so mistaken, please enlighten me...is it the fact that I was alternating for the same length of time? Should I have been jogging for longer periods, sprinting for longer periods? I was under the impression that high intensity interval training is exactly that: training in intervals of high intensity. It seems you know something I don't.....please share
 
I thought that was HITT too ... 5 min warmup ... then 1 minute intervals b/w fast walk and sprint ... what r u saying is different then?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top