I have weight lifting questions but would like input on cardio as well. Sorry if this is too long. I've hit a plateau and need to change things up. I've been walking at 3.8mph and running at 4.3 mph on the TM for the past 6 wks and need to change my routine. I hit 75% of my target heartrate at 3.8 mph; 80% at 4.3 mph. I start out walking, then run for a while, then walk, etc. for a total of about 45-55 minutes, 5 days/wk. I wanted to add some other cardio into my routine. My options are jump roping and aerobic dvds. While jump roping will obviously get my heartrate to where it needs to be I've never gotten it above about 120 bpm doing dvds.
1. Should I do some cardio dvds mixed w/jump roping once or twice a week and do the TM the other days, even though I get less of an aerobic workout doing dvds or just stick to the TM?
2. Is walking slower/longer better than running quicker/shorter or doesn't it really matter?
3. Does this seem like a good program? Walk day 1, walk day 2, alternate cardio day 3, run day 4, walk day 5; walk day 1, run day 2, run day 3, alternate cardio day 4, walk day 5; etc., varying each week or mix it up everytime (as I have been doing) I use the TM? (Hope that made sense).
4. Is getting on the TM everyday a poor idea? Is is better to only do the TM every other day (regardless of whether I walk or run and regardless of what alternative cardio I do) in order to give my legs a chance to rest? I know this applies to weights but don't know if it applies to cardio stuff as well.
My main question is about a fat-burning weight workout I'm thinking of trying. I bought the book (Joyce Verdal's Fat Burning Workout) ages ago (like 1992!) and never really used it.
The program has you do 3-5 exercises per body part. But instead of doing the usual (say for biceps a dumbell curl): 12 reps at 10 lbs; rest 30 secs; 10 reps at 15 lbs; rest 30 secs; 8 reps at 20 lbs; done w/dumbell curl and move onto next bicep exercise, it has you do 12 reps of dumbell curl then 12 reps of hammers then 12 reps of angled curls; then rest for only 10 seconds; then proceed to 10 reps at a higher weight for all three exercises; rest 10 seconds then do 3rd set of all three exercises at lowest reps/highest weight.
1. Is this a good program to start with?
2. I've read both positive and negative things about Joyce Verdal. Would like as much input as possible on this program. Any thoughts?
3. Is it wise to try and use weights as cardio (this program only takes about 20 minutes for biceps/chest/shoulders/back and triceps w/3 exercises per body part.) or should I bag the very short rest period and concentrate on intensity and form more? Yes, it splits ub and lb everyother day w/abs and butts two days in a row.
Any and all advice is welcome. I've been using a total gym for the past several weeks (only using it twice a week) and have finally fingured out that doing just 1 or 2 exercises per body part is not really doing much of anything. Thought I'd give this other program a try. Sorry if this post was too long w/too many questions but really need some help sorting this out. Thanks for all your input!!!
Jo