5 Reasons Why Cardio Might Not Be a Good Idea

• I want to start this blog off by defining the “Cardio” I use in the title of this post:

  - “Cardio” is the steady-state, high to moderate intensity, often on gym CV machines, high volume training protocols that the vast majority of exercisers use to try and lose weight or burn fat.

  There are other forms of exercise that I do agree with, but this just doesn’t resonate with me, both scientifically and biologically, evolutionarily, or empirically based on what I see with my own clients and the general population who exercise.

  So here goes…

  1. Aerobic exercise increases adrenal stress and leads to excessive cortisol (STRESS HORMONE) production, which is the primary cause for BODY FAT percentages INCREASING, particularly around the waist and on the belly.

  2. Aerobic exercise increases oxidative stress which can lead to accelerated aging!!!!

  3. ‘Pattern Overload’ on many cardiovascular machines (Repeated movements on a fixed axis) has indirectly been noted as the cause of many INJURIES as it actually decreases your ability to perform real-world movements and functions. Aerobic training also worsens power locally and systemically so it actually makes you WEAKER and SLOWER!

  4. Improvements in performance through continuous aerobic activity actually plateau after 6-8 weeks, so training aerobically for any period longer than this is counter-productive.

  5. Long-term aerobic exercise is known to compromise immune systems.

  All of the above points are symptoms of stress – and that is exactly what chronic cardio does to the body. After the initial “euphoria” of catecholamines being released from your adrenal glands:

  - Fat loss stops,

  - Appetite becomes unregulated,

  - You become moody,

  - Your energy levels drop and you become fatigued…

  So you think you need MORE just to keep you going!

  This list of symptoms is quite the opposite of what most people desire from their exercise plans. I invite you to consider if what you are doing in the gym is working for you or not.

  
  
  December 12th, 2011 | Brett Sanders | No Comments | Tags: cardio, cardiovascular training, chronic cardio

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