If I want to build muscle... (weightlifting, gym, treadmill, program)

[briannasmomma]

can I get away with not doing cardio as much? I have an almost 2 year old and I always always choose to lift weights rather than do the cardio because I only have so much time in the day and I am seeing better results from lifting. If I do get to the treadmill lately it has only been once a week and for only about 25 minutes, if that. I lift at home while my daughter naps and I was thinking rather than trying to get to the gym to use the treadmill that I would get some kind of cardio video? Although I don't really know what kind of benefit cardio would give me that weightlifting doesn't because I don't want to lose any more weight, I want to increase muscle mass. Thanks for any advice.

[JustJulia]

I think cardio is important. You don't have to do it to lose weight, but it's good for your heart and breathing.

I know very well about time constraints! Taking the time to go to a gym is just not feasible, so I work out at home. I don't know if this would help you, but I have a set of resistance bands. They came with a DVD with some circuit training. I do a five-minute warmup (usually just go up and down the basement stairs, carrying 3-lb weights or run in place) and all three circuits in 45 minutes. Each circuit is about a dozen different exercises with cardio in between to keep your heart rate up (hopping from side to side, jumping jacks, or marching in place, depending on your fitness level).

You can do a lot with the bands, like attach them to a door for lat pull downs or rows, but the DVD training is all free-standing, so you can do it almost anywhere. I do the whole workout on a 4 x 4 mat. I do "the plank" afterward for as long as I can (about a minute--working back up to 2+ minutes) and then some stretching. It's a good workout!

Bodylastics Home Gyms | Powered by exercise resistance bands

[johnnytang24]

While cardio is not a necessity, if you want to, you can do cardio with weights! An increased heart rate is an increased heart rate.

Look in to: High Intensity Interval Training, Tabata Method

[rnc76]

Originally Posted by briannasmomma

can I get away with not doing cardio as much? I have an almost 2 year old and I always always choose to lift weights rather than do the cardio because I only have so much time in the day and I am seeing better results from lifting. If I do get to the treadmill lately it has only been once a week and for only about 25 minutes, if that. I lift at home while my daughter naps and I was thinking rather than trying to get to the gym to use the treadmill that I would get some kind of cardio video? Although I don't really know what kind of benefit cardio would give me that weightlifting doesn't because I don't want to lose any more weight, I want to increase muscle mass. Thanks for any advice.

Like johnnytang said, try cardio with weights. You'll likely do less weight but don't rest between your sets, just switch from one exercise to the next in a circuit fashion. Your heartrate will get pounding after a bit. I haven't done p90x but I hear it is a really good program as well.