Is this a good exercise regimen?

Question

I have been doing cardio 2 times a week and Pilates 2 times a week. I don't know if this is a good idea because I have always been told to get cardio at least 3 times weekly. However, I am working out 4 times weekly. I need help!

Answer 1

Here's the magic secret of cardio: If you get your heart rate up to your target... IT'S CARDIO.

I work out three times a week and do half an hour of cardio followed by half an hour of weights. According to the elliptical cross-trainer I use, my target heart rate is 145 (yeah, I'm an old fart :-).

Just for fun, at the gym today I checked my pulse on one of those "Insta-Pulse" machines (looks like a Segway that the wheels fell off) after doing a fast set of weights.

It was 154.

So... to repeat: If you get your heart rate up to your target rate, and keep it there, it's cardio. Even if it's called weightlifting or yoga or Pilates.

You might try checking your heart rate during your Pilates training and see what it's up to. The quickest way to do this is to take your pulse for six seconds, then multiply the number you get times ten. So for example if you count 15 beats in six seconds, your heart rate is 150.

You'll have to find your own target heart rate, of course, which is 220 minus your age, then 85% of that. So if you're 25, your target heart rate is 165 (195 times 0.85 is 165.75). This means you need to count between 16 and 17 beats in the six-second pulse check. (Adjust for your actual age, of course.)

So in reality... you're working out four times a week, which rocks! Keep it up! I stopped working out when I turned 30 and didn't start again till I was 45. I figure my role at the gym is as the Bad Example, the warning to everyone else that if you don't keep working out, you'll look like me. :-)

Answer 2

that's a good plan to start off but if you want to continue to lose weight you should add more cardio. burning fat comes from getting your heart rate up. you burn fat after you're 15 minutes into your cardio. if you switch one of your pilates classes with a 45 minute cardio workout you'll be better off. or when you do the pilates try to get about 20-25 minutes of cardio before the pilates so that your heart rate is up while you're doing the pilates. good luck. and the fact that you're exercising in the first place and have a plan is pretty good.
keep it up.

Answer 3

Cardio three times a week is recommended, but girl sometimes you just get busy. I say squeeze a third cardio in if you can, if not, maybe tack on an extra few minutes those days you do do it.

Answer 4

I think if you are just starting out, then what you are doing is fine, you can always add cardio in when you are ready. but it also depends on your goals.

Answer 5

every time I you should do them, which averages out to three kegels each six months. yet they had to bypass get an more suitable small sized speculum on the gyno the different day, so i wager each thing is squared away down there.

Answer 6

i think it's fine but i'd also add some weight training in there somewhere.

Answer 7

Keep it up , most people dont even excersise.

Answer 8

i think it's a great routine. good for you for being able to do this!

Answer 9

any exercise is good exercise.