Let me start off by saying I am primarily using weight machines at the moment but trying to transition a few exercises at a time to free weights. I really enjoy strength training - I could probably stay in the gym for hours doing just that. But I hate hate hate cardio!

So, is there an ideal amount of cardio I should get in? I aim for 2-3 days HIIT for 20-30 minutes but do I need more regular non-HIIT cardio? My goal is to strength train 3-5 days a week depending on my schedule.

Sorry if this is all over the map but I'm just getting started with all of this. I like the gym but the trainers are worthless.

I have a trainer whom I consider to be good. Here is what I'm doing:

2 workout programs, each one done 2 times a week

I have just begun an organized cardio plan. That is to include intervals 3-4 times a week, and steady state 2 times a week (done in conjunction with intervals or not)

Here is the cardio program:
wk 1 Intervals, 30 sec on; 60 sec off; 2-3 sets ...25-30 min steady state, 85% MHR
wk 2 intervals 30 on; 30-45 off; 4 sets......25-30 min steady state,80%
wk 3 intervals 30 on; 5 sets...25-30 min steady state, 85%
wk 4 intervals 20 on; 30-45 off; 5 sets.....15 min, 65-75%
wk 5 intervals 60 on; 60 off, 1 set; 30 on, 30-60 off, 4 sets..12 min steady state, 75%
wk 6 intervals 20 on;30-45 off, 6 sets.....60 sec at 90%

"on" means "maximum": "off" means "steady state"

I've just begun this program. You might try it.

I would say cardio is like 5% of my work outs. It's mostly strength training (2 days a week) and 1 day of yoga. I do cardio pretty rarely becuase I hate it too. I started noticing results much more quickly when I stopped doing cardio (4-5 days a week with a little weights) to working out less with heavy weights. woohoo!! It's funny because the few times I do a cardio work out, I'm able to run further and faster and my endurance is way better than when I was doing cardio all the time. I love doing intervals if I do cardio too

If you are really doing HIIT 2-3 days a week I'd say there is no reason you have to add in more cardio.