Different methods of working out?

[AP_piano295]

So I'm wondering if there are any physical activity experts on the board who might be able to answer this question.

What are the advantages and dis-advantages of high intensity short duration exercise vs. long duration medium intensity exercise?

Say:

Running for thirty minutes to an hour.

vs.

10 minutes of jumping squats, push ups, in and outs with the legs and some towel/shirt resistance work?

 

[lewis82]

I'm not an expert, but I can tell you it doesn't make your cardiovasculary system work the same way. The difference in heart rate and oxygen consumption is important. I guess it would be useful to do both.

 

[leekohler]

Do both and more at least 3 times a week. It's important mentally and physically. I lift three days a week and play hockey 2-3 times a week. Finding a sport you like to play is a good way to stay in shape as well as going to the gym. Try that if the gym bores you.

 

[villicodelirant]

I'm not an expert, but I can tell you it doesn't make your cardiovasculary system work the same way. The difference in heart rate and oxygen consumption is important. I guess it would be useful to do both.

You know, I have been doing my own intensive cardio routine for a long time.

It involves playing some 80s metal or new wave/electro album from start to finish (recent stuff like Editors might also work).

My body will spontaneously start jumping and headbanging for 60 straight minutes, at the end of which I find myself dripping in sweat and with the heart rate of a squirrel, wondering "WTF?".

Done that thrice a week for the past ten years.

It seemingly kinda works for real, I can cycle and run and do abs and push-ups at will (which is what I do more or less daily, plus some excercises with improvised weights - CD-R spindles are great for that) and I'm never out of breath nor my heart goes badabombadabombadabom - relevant muscles get tired way before.

 

[r.j.s]

Do both and more at least 3 times a week. It's important mentally and physically. I lift three days a week and play hockey 2-3 times a week. Finding a sport you like to play is a good way to stay in shape as well as going to the gym. Try that if the gym bores you.

I second this. It is important to keep variety in your workout.

I also think it is important to keep your heart rate elevated for at least 20-30 minutes. During that time, the exercises matter, but not as much as the fact that your heart rate is up.

 

[Hellhammer]

Running is cardio whereas the latter is more concentrated on muscle workout. It all depends on what you are aiming at but in general, both sound like good ways of exercising. It's important to do different kinds of exercises, not just running.

 

[AP_piano295]

I'm not an expert, but I can tell you it doesn't make your cardiovasculary system work the same way. The difference in heart rate and oxygen consumption is important. I guess it would be useful to do both.

That's my thought the weird thing is that I notice much larger improvement's doing short duration stuff.

Doing say a month of consistent long duration cardio I notice some improvement. But If I take a week off of 45 minutes a day 5 days a week cardio it's like I reset and I lose a-lot of my improvement.

But doing low duration high intensity muscle focused cardio I improve rapidly and the improvement seems more constant. I gain muscle mass and i fatigue much less rapidly when doing activities like mountain biking.

I'm assuming that low intensity long duration does more for my heart than high intensity short duration. And short duration high intensity does more for the rest of my muscles.

But I'm not sure if that's all there is too it.

EDIT: Sort of like what everyone just said ^^^

 

[Melrose]

There's a difference between aerobic/cardio-type exercise and weight-based exercise.

Do both, if you can. Walking is better for you than running. You won't ever get bulked simply by running or walking.

BodyRock.tv might be a place to get some ideas for aerobic-type exercises... the girl on there is PDH but she has some good ideas and it works, and has worked for a lot of people. I have a heart condition that prevents me from lifting overly heavy stuff, and some of her stuff has really helped.