I have been trying to figure out how to combine cardio and weight training without interference and found the following article that offers science and a solution for obtaining benefits from both: http://www.ageless-athletes.com/con...ning.shtml After reading the article I have begun to do low intensity cardio in the am on an empty stomach for 30 - 40 min. I do weights at night - generally 2 to 3 times a week. This combo seems to work. Any thoughts out there? :?: Rosebud

[quote:699fead65a="rosebud101"]I have been trying to figure out how to combine cardio and weight training without interference and found the following article that offers science and a solution for obtaining benefits from both: http://www.ageless-athletes.com/con...ning.shtml After reading the article I have begun to do low intensity cardio in the am on an empty stomach for 30 - 40 min. I do weights at night - generally 2 to 3 times a week. This combo seems to work. Any thoughts out there? :?: Rosebud[/quote:699fead65a] My belief is that you [i:699fead65a]can't[/i:699fead65a] combine aerobics and weight training without having at least some interference. In other words, I don't believe that you can truly maximize your strength gains while performing an appreciable amount of aerobic training, if for no other reason than performing aerobics will reduce the frequency, volume, or intensity of weight training that you can perform concurrently. What I believe you [i:699fead65a]can[/i:699fead65a] do it achieve a reasonable, if not pretty good compromise between aerobic and strength training. The adaptations to strength and aerobic training may come less quickly when performed concurrently, but you can still achieve a good degree of each over time. This will be enough for people who aren't interested in bodybuilding, attaining powerlifter strength levels, or becoming endurance athletes. Heck, a lot of good bodybuilders do a substantial amount of aerobics (to burn calories mostly), so evidently it's possible to at least [i:699fead65a]maintain[/i:699fead65a] a lot of muscle gains while performing aerobics. I just don't think it's possible to achieve your genetic potential for strength while doing aerobics concurrently... few elite powerlifters do aerobics, and I doubt that ANY elite or even semi-elite weightlifters do them.

Brian, [quote:cdd008ed09]My belief is that you can't combine aerobics and weight training without having at least some interference. In other words, I don't believe that you can truly maximize your strength gains while performing an appreciable amount of aerobic training, if for no other reason than performing aerobics will reduce the frequency, volume, or intensity of weight training that you can perform concurrently. [/quote:cdd008ed09] When you say concurrently, do you mean at the same work out? I do not do cardio work at the same time of day as I weight train. I do cardio on an empty stomach in the AM and weight train in the evening. Regarding types of cardio and health, Dr. Mirkin and others quote recent recearch indicating that high intensity aerobic exercise works better than moderate aerobic exercise in terms of improving health, longevity and burning fat. However I've also read that if you don't want to diminish the gains of resistance training you should only do moderate cardio. One thought I have is that if high intensity cardio builds muscle differently that weight training, perhaps I can separate muscles accordingly. When I do high intensity cardio, I work my legs primarily. So if I do only high intensity for muscle growth in my legs and traditional weights for upper body, will that work - especially if I separate my cardio work outs from my resistance work outs? My goal is to lose that last ten pounds of stubborn fat. Thanks !!!!! Rosebud