New enthusiasm for cardio day

PGJ · 06-06-2006, 03:05 PM

I have decided not to do the program as written in the book, but use a lot of the principles and exercise in my current full-body program. After having some initial concerns regarding a few of the movements I am now incorporating many of them in my cardio workout. Here's what I've done:

I do cardio on Tuesdays and Thursadys

Weighted SwissBall crunch 15 reps
Lower Body Russian twist 15 reps w/5lbs db between my feet
Supine hip extension 15 reps
Upper body russian twist with 10lbs 15 reps
SHELC 15 reps
Reverse crunch 12-15 reps

I do these back to back with as little rest as possible (just enough to catch my breath). Then rest about 60-90 seconds and do it again. I do three cycles of this. Next I do 3 sets of woodshops and 3 sets of reverse woodchops with minimal rest inbetween sets. By now I'm sweating like a pig and my torso is pumped and tight. Rest about 3-4 minutes then hit the treadmill for 20-25 minutes of HIIT Metabolic Overdrive cardio as described on page 87. Overall, it takes about 40 minutes to do the whole routine. To me, this is much more enjoyable than just running and being done in 20 minutes. I now look forward to cardio day.

Mahler · 06-14-2006, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGJ

To me, this is much more enjoyable than just running and being done in 20 minutes. I now look forward to cardio day.

Do what you are likely to stick with. I tend to work in a few runs during the week to give my body a change of pace. An intense program such as you describe may not be giving you much recuperation from your regular lifting program, but that's just my opinion.

PGJ · 06-14-2006, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahler

Do what you are likely to stick with. I tend to work in a few runs during the week to give my body a change of pace. An intense program such as you describe may not be giving you much recuperation from your regular lifting program, but that's just my opinion.

I have to run. I'm not a big fan of cardio, but I do it. The thought of actually getting to lift a little weight as part of the cardio session encourages me to get my lazy butt out of the office and into the gym. It's a lot easier for me to skip a cardio day than a lifting day.