Discussion Board

AussieDavid,

Thank you for your post. I appreciate your attitude about it and would enjoy talking about it further. I would have responded sooner but have been out-of-pocket for a few days.

One of the things that I noticed in the original post was that the workout that caused difficulty was both a different exercise (Elliptical vs. biking) and a different level of intensity (low vs. medium/high). Since response to training is impacted by both the specific exercise and the level of intensity either or both of these combined could explain the response rather than over training. Also anyone's performance can vary on any given day based on stress levels, amount of sleep, what they eat, whether they consume alcohol or caffiene or other factors. So, even if the exercise and intensity were the same I wouldn't jump right to over training as the problem unless there were other symptoms present. I'm not saying it couldn't be overtraining. I am saying that there are other possible explanations and there really isn't enough information to make that judgment.

I also don’t agree that 5 days per week is the maximum that anyone should train even if they are trying to improve. There are many things that can effect a training schedule. Depending on the specific situation 5 could be not enough, too many, or just right.

From what I've read, the higher intensity workouts burn more calories after you've finished your workout, similar to weight training. I use both methods. During the week I don't have a lot of time to exercise so when I do, it's at a pretty high intensity (for me, anyway). On the weekend, I may go walk or hike for 1-2 hours or ride bike for 20 miles with a friend at a more leisurely pace.
I know one of the reasons for exercising longer at lower intensity is it's better for people who may be at a higher risk for a heart attack.

Michael

Hi all, and thanks so much for all of the advice! I hadn't check back on this thread for awhile, and missed the advice as well as some debating! Here is more on my situation. I am 63 (will be tomorrow) have always exercised a good bit (sometimes off and on, though), but am much better at long/slow than at short/fast. I go to Curves 2 or 3 times per week for weight training. The most intense thing that I do would be the elliptical, because my biking is long, slow, no hills. I've been doing such long bike rides, that I was surprised that my fitness on the elliptical hadn't improved. I mainly posted to see if other exercisers agreed that I might need something more intense to mix with the biking (especially because of no hills). I love the biking, and could go indefinitely. I agree about taking breaks. When I do go 6 days a week, it's because some of the biking is short and not very hard - just like walking a few blocks. Also, Curves is just 30 minutes, and is strength training, so there's not much to that unless I ride my bike to Curves. I'm definitely not doing 6 days of intense or very long exercise! Thanks for all of the help. About the fat burning - even the elliptical has a fat burning setting that is at a lower intensity than the cardio level. Take care, LauraA

Interval training is the quickest way to stay in shape, it only takes twenty to thirty minutes and 3 times a week. The best mix i believe is to do intense intervals and do light exercise (such as walking). I do very little mid level exercise.