I'm 20, 5'2", 115lbs, 22% body fat. I'm planning on doing 40mins elliptical training and 20mins of jump-roping 5 times a week. My goal is to reach 17% body fat. I was planning on doing an hour of weight training 4 days a week (just for toning up) but I kinda got discouraged 'coz there aren't many home workouts and I really don't have the budget for more equipment. (I have 2lbs dumbells)
I was thinking of skipping weight training altogether and replacing it with an hour of Pilates. What "look" will that achieve? Will it be different than when I'm weight training? And will that affect my metabolism?
Note: I don't really wanna build muscles. Just wanna firm up.
P.S. Or can you guys refer me to a good (cheap) home workout website? I've basically gone to most of them. Thanks!
Best answer:
Pilates is great for you! It includes cardio and it helps build strength in your muscles. If you want a longer slender toned body, you should do pilates!
You should also implement weight training into your workout because it will help build muscles which will help you burn more calories in return. I don't think you need to do 1 hour of the same cardio workout 5 times a week. This is boring, and you may get discouraged, and not want to work out anymore. To maximize your workout try doing other cardio exercises such as hiking, Cycling, or maybe even running around your neighborhood with the 2 lb. dumbells in your hand (that is cardio and weight training), or indoor rockclimbing, etc..
Best of luck to you and your healthy living!
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Cardio Before or After Weight Training
Article by Dave
A lot of people wonder whether they should do their cardio before or after weights. It's a bit complicated to answer that question. Various factors greatly determine if doing cardio before or after weights makes the most sense for you. Perhaps the number one, biggest influence in this answer is your individual fitness goals. This will be determined by whether you want to train to gain strength, if you want to lose weight or if you are looking at improving your overall health, all of which will influence whether it is more important to do your cardio before or after weights.
Besides your overall aim in working out, also need think about the following things when figuring out if you will do weight training first or cardio first.
* How hard are you doing to train: Will you be doing high intensity cardio and weight training or will you be doing a basic, even level of cardio? Do you perform low rep, heavy lifting or high rep training to failure?2. Duration of each component: is cardio a marathon or short but intense session? #3 - Conditioning - Think about how your muscles feel after you do weight training and cardio. What fatigues you more?4. Motivation/mindset: do you prefer to get one form of exercise done first? Are you more focused earlier in your workout or later?
In a small study that was conducted by Brigham Young University involving 10 men, it was determined that doing weight training after cardio was the most beneficial method. Here are the other things they found:
* When cardio is done before weights, the body's EPOC or caloric "after burn" effect was at its highest rate. 2. Cardio after weight training was more physiologically difficult than cardio before weight training. * On average, participants found it more difficult to do the cardio after the weight training.
Far be it from me to believe a study of ten men constitutes a truth though. I would certainly agree that doing cardio before weights has some benefits, but I think the findings on fat burning may be questionable.
Doing cardio after weight training has always seemed more practical to me. It is very beneficial for your energy level to be at its highest rate when you are lifting weights. I also need a tremendous amount of focus and coordination to do it well. I tend to use cardio as my leg workout, but imagine trying to perform a set of heavy squats after a 45 minute cardio session. Of course, on the other hand, running after a lengthy squat routine isn't simple, or enjoyable by any stretch of the imagination.
I do think that it's a good idea to either separate your cardio and weight training sessions into different days, or to do weights and then cardio, I also suggest the following as overall goals:
1. Increase muscle: cardio after weights; use high energy levels to maximize weight training workouts
* To Improve Cardio Endurance - It is recommended that you do a cardio workout before weight training so you can focus your highest energy during the cardio phases and max out your marathon or HIIT workout training.
* How much fat you burn depends upon your fitness level. Since weight training tends to be more draining for a fitness novice, then they would get more out of doing cardio first (and lengthening the routine as needed) and then resistance training. Those who are already fit will get more out of doing the opposite since an intense weight training session releases fatty acids and Human Growth Hormone; which the body can get rid of during the cardio portion. * To Improve Health - If your goal is to improve your overall health, there is no difference in the order that you do your weight training and cardio.
Since there are so many variables, there is no right answer to the question of whether to do cardio before or after weights. Doing cardio first will enhance your endurance and stamina; doing cardio last will help you bulk up those muscles and get more strength. You must decide which order benefits you the most and helps you reach your fitness goals best.
Orignal From: Can I skip weight training and do Pilates instead?
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