Aerobics + weights???

[Chansey]

I have been utilizing my college's gym for the past two 1/2 months. I am in there up to 5-6 days a week. However, despite the fact that I work on biceps, chest, triceps, back, shoulders, thighs, calves, everything, I feel like I am not making any real gains. I am trying to go for lean, but pretty developed muscle.

However, before I do weights, I run on the treadmill first. This kind of helps relieve stress, warm up, and clear my head. On average, I burn about 400-450 calories on the treadmill each day (keep in mind I do this 5 days a week). Do you think that because I am doing all this cardio that I am sabatoging my muscular gains when I go to the weights? Offer any advice or tips you can think of.

Thanks!

[glammaman2000]

...is lower impact than running outside would be, but it still "shakes down" upper body mass. Try 3 days per week. See what happens.

[dallasmsl]

Like you, I find it a great help to warm up prior to lifting. It wakes up the body and gets the blood going in the right direction <jk>. However, you MAY be doing too much cardio before your lifting. You may be spending all of your energy (and getting that runner's high) doing cardio instead of utilizing that energy for heavier lifts. I recommend cutting back on the cardio (not eliminating it) and then, if you feel you need it, finish up with hard cardio AFTER you have had a good workout. See if that helps.

Dave.

[glammaman2000]

...BIKE is better than treadmill because there is no impact. If you have access to an aerobic rowing machine; that's the BEST! Works back & legs (your 2 largest muscle groups) & keeps our body temperature elevated for much longer after the workout. Good luck!

[dallasmsl]

What is YOUR favorite cardio exercise?
For me, I start off with about 10 minutes of bike to get the blood flowing in the right direction; mind you, I train first thing in the mornings. After the weight workout, I usually end up with 15 to 20 minutes of treadmill by walking at 10 to 15 degrees angle and only holding on to the machine for balance purposes. I use very wide/long strides and it really pumps the heart and also works the lower abs (do it and you'll see!).

Dave