Cardio For Fat Loss…

What is the best form of cardio for fat loss?

Is it low intensity, high intensity, interval training, long duration, short duration, etc. ?

Just like there is no one “best” weight training workout. There is no one “best” cardio workout either.

There are pros and cons to all the different variations. But if fat loss is your goal, the one critical component that’s going to make all the difference is consistency. Regardless of what form of cardio you perform.

When it comes to fat loss the main thing is calories in verses calories out. And as long as you can achieve a caloric deficit, it really doesn’t make much difference what kind of cardio you do.

Now I know some people will go on about doing high intensity cardio to jack up your metabolism and get the “after burn” effect, etc. and that’s cool, there’s nothing wrong with that.

But most bodybuilders achieve the metabolism boosting effects from their weight training workouts. The cardio workouts are usually just an extra add on to help burn off some excess blubber. It is not the main focus of their training as it is with endurance athletes.

So if your main training goal is “bodybuilding” meaning to improve your body composition (i.e. gaining lean muscle while burning off excess bodyfat) and you are already hitting the gym and lifting weights as the staple of your training, then you have a lot of variety when it comes to the cardio you do. You are not limited to one particular method or another.

When I’m training for fat loss I actually look forward to my cardio workouts because I make them fun and enjoyable. I don’t stick to just spinning my wheels on a squeaky old treadmill while counting down the minutes on the clock.

Lee hiking in Gros Morne, Newfoundland

Lee bike riding on Venice Beach

If it’s possible I do my cardio outside and get some fresh air in my lungs. I love to walk my dog and go mountain bike riding on the great trails that are near by my home. Those two methods of cardio are my main staples that I’ll do on a regular basis because they are convenient and fun.

If the weather isn’t suitable for getting outside I’ll resort to doing cardio inside. But even then it’s not that bad because I’ll mix it up with a lot of variety. I have a stepper and elliptical at home and I’ll alternate back and forth between those machines to get in my cardio session.

If I’m doing cardio at the gym I’ll mix it up with whatever machines they have available. So instead of doing 45 minutes on the treadmill. I may do 10 minutes on the rower, 10 minutes on the treadmill, 10 minutes on the elliptical, 10 minutes on the bike, and 10 minutes on the stepper, etc.

Not only is this more enjoyable in terms of variety. But it also prevents the repetitive strain of doing the same form of cardio all the time. You’re less likely to suffer from repetitive use injuries (i.e. runners knee, shin splints, etc.) and other things that are common among people who do the same form of cardio day in, day out.

When I’m in hardcore fat loss training (such as getting ready for a bodybuilding competition) I’ll do between 30-60 minutes of cardio every single morning on an empty stomach before breakfast. This is one thing that I have found just strips the fat off you like nothing else when combined with a good diet and solid weight training program.

And as for the intensity of the cardio workouts. I personally DON’T monitor it, I’m very instinctive with it. After all it’s just an extra, not my main training priority.

If I’m feeling energetic and full of “piss and vinegar” then I’ll go harder and do a higher intensity cardio workout. If I’m feeling tired and a bit worn out, then I’ll do something easy like going for a walk. But the main thing is to just be consistent over the long haul with your diet, weight training, AND cardio. If you do that then you’ll reap the rewards of a lean, muscular physique!

Lee & Trish after a Muscle Beach workout!

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Note:
I did a really unique and different cardio workout this past weekend.
It got my heart racing, my blood pumping, and my belly laughing…

Check it out below…