What do you guys think?

[SaintLouis]

This isn’t a question of of steroids nessaceraly, but it kind of all ties together.
I have always had success in the past doing my cardio in the morning on an empty stomach. I have always done it this way. I am thinking of changing it up to (2) 25-minute sessions throughout the day.

What do you think would be more effective for fat loss?

Option A: 45min all at once in the morn on an empty stomach. Then train with weights at night.
Or
Option B: 25 min in the morn on empty stomach, then 25 min later in the day (after a few meals). Then weight training at night.

My thought process is this: That two 25 minute sessions will stimulate my metabolism more throughout the whole day. As opposed to one session in the morning which will stimulate my metabolism in the morning but not in the afternoon.

My diet is solid; I know what works for me. My "supps" are solid, I wont be losing muscle.
So all other things being equal, what do you guys think would be more effective Option A or Option B?

 

[digimon7068]

This isn’t a question of of steroids nessaceraly, but it kind of all ties together.
I have always had success in the past doing my cardio in the morning on an empty stomach. I have always done it this way. I am thinking of changing it up to (2) 25-minute sessions throughout the day.

What do you think would be more effective for fat loss?

Option A: 45min all at once in the morn on an empty stomach. Then train with weights at night.
Or
Option B: 25 min in the morn on empty stomach, then 25 min later in the day (after a few meals). Then weight training at night.

My thought process is this: That two 25 minute sessions will stimulate my metabolism more throughout the whole day. As opposed to one session in the morning which will stimulate my metabolism in the morning but not in the afternoon.

My diet is solid; I know what works for me. My "supps" are solid, I wont be losing muscle.
So all other things being equal, what do you guys think would be more effective Option A or Option B?

Probably "B" but, personally, I don't have that kind of time (for three-a-days). So, I do my cardio in the PM with my weights (sometimes before, sometimes after) except for a couple of months in the spring when I do cardio in the AM on an empty stomach (to lean out) and weights in the PM.

 

[SaintLouis]

Yeah, my job allows me the flexability to do this. I work for myself and can get away in the middle of the day to do this. I guess, Im pretty lucky in that way. I am just going for the absolute most effective route.

 

[digimon7068]

Yeah, my job allows me the flexability to do this. I work for myself and can get away in the middle of the day to do this. I guess, Im pretty lucky in that way. I am just going for the absolute most effective route.

Me too (flexability wise) except, most of the time I'm busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest and, with changing and showering (not to mention if I run into one of my clients who pumps me for a little free advice), 25 minutes turns into more like an hour for me. Plus, the missuz thinks I already spend enough time beating up on my body. She's 5'6" and about 105 and has no idea what it's like to "have to" do cardio. Wonder how she'd like me as a big fat bastard??

 

[Joe Stenson]

How about 45 min in the morning and then 25 in the afternoon...best of both worlds.

I think the only real difference between the 2 options you suggested is that it might be possible to push yourself harder in each session if you split them up. Plus, you've got the extra 5 minutes of calorie burning so Option B will end up burning a few more calories.

 

[brownbomber1]

i would go with option B, cardio in the morning and than cardio again after you weight train...but you have to keep in mind that if you are doing 25 min + 25 min of cardio again thats 50 min a day X say 5-6 days that you weight train thats 250 - 300 min of cardio a week, if you are a hardgainer you might want to limit your cardio to 3 times a week but ya option B if you got the time

 

[Outtlaw]

Unless you're doing high intensity cardio, option A would be better IMO. 25min is barely enough time to tap into your peak fat burning potential at low intensity.

 

[SaintLouis]

How about 45 min in the morning and then 25 in the afternoon...best of both worlds.

I think the only real difference between the 2 options you suggested is that it might be possible to push yourself harder in each session if you split them up. Plus, you've got the extra 5 minutes of calorie burning so Option B will end up burning a few more calories.

I respectfuly disagree. The main benefits of two sessions would be the overal metabolism boost given in the mid after noon session. You wouldnt get that extra metabolism boost from doing all of it in the morning. I am thinking that Option B willl burn cosiderably more calories over the long haul (18 weeks). 45 in the morning and then 30 in the afternoon is what I will eventually work up to when I am about 4 weeks out.

 

[SaintLouis]

Unless you're doing high intensity cardio, option A would be better IMO. 25min is barely enough time to tap into your peak fat burning potential at low intensity.

What you are saying has always been the way I have done it in the past. It has worked well.
I am just pondering this new method. The intensity would be moderate for the two sessions. (heart rate, aprox:140BPM)

 

[Joe Stenson]

I respectfuly disagree. The main benefits of two sessions would be the overal metabolism boost given in the mid after noon session. You wouldnt get that extra metabolism boost from doing all of it in the morning. I am thinking that Option B willl burn cosiderably more calories over the long haul (18 weeks). 45 in the morning and then 30 in the afternoon is what I will eventually work up to when I am about 4 weeks out.

Low and moderate intensity cardio don't have much of an effect on metabolism outside of the actual duration of cardio itself.

HIIT is what provides a boost that lasts for hours after.

 

[Joe Stenson]

Unless you're doing high intensity cardio, option A would be better IMO. 25min is barely enough time to tap into your peak fat burning potential at low intensity.

I'm going to get flamed for this, but...

The source of the calories burned (carbs or fat) during cardio is basically irrelevant; it's the calories that matter. Before you bash me, ask yourself how HIIT is so effective given it burns basically all carbs.

 

[SaintLouis]

I'm going to get flamed for this, but...

The source of the calories burned (carbs or fat) during cardio is basically irrelevant; it's the calories that matter. Before you bash me, ask yourself how HIIT is so effective given it burns basically all carbs.

That is a valid statement. Different strokes for different folks. Things work differently for different people. I was just pronbing to see what everyone thought, or to see what other bros have seen sucess with themselves.

Don't be afraid of getting flamed! It's rarely personal.

 

[Outtlaw]

I'm going to get flamed for this, but...

The source of the calories burned (carbs or fat) during cardio is basically irrelevant; it's the calories that matter. Before you bash me, ask yourself how HIIT is so effective given it burns basically all carbs.

It's an issue of personal choice. For me, high intensity is not effective, nor do I like it. So if I do cardio, I do low intensity.

 

[Joe Stenson]

It's an issue of personal choice. For me, high intensity is not effective, nor do I like it. So if I do cardio, I do low intensity.

Wow, I'm surprised. I was expecting a verbal assault, lol.

I can totally respect that. I personally think there's benefits to both types of cardio, but neither of them are things one "has" to do.

 

[Outtlaw]

Wow, I'm surprised. I was expecting a verbal assault, lol.

I can totally respect that. I personally think there's benefits to both types of cardio, but neither of them are things one "has" to do.

Well, I guess we agree on something then.

 

[Joe Stenson]

Well, I guess we agree on something then.

Had to happen sometime.

 

[borg4902]

Is there anyway you can save that second cardio session till right after your nightly weight training?

 

[SaintLouis]

Is there anyway you can save that second cardio session till right after your nightly weight training?

Yes, I can do it anytime.
I was just thinking it might be more beneficial to do it(2nd Cardio session) in the early afternoon to give me a spike until I get to my lifting at about 7pm. That way I could have three metabolic boosts throughout each day [1st cardio, 2nd cardio then lifting]. Just thinking about a new approach....you know?

 

[borg4902]

Well if you do cardio directly after weight your glycogen stores are already depleated which = more fat loss.

 

[suckamc44]

I like the two a day sessions when I have the time, usually right about when I feel like taking a nap, I hit the cardio to wake myself back up. But, in terms of actual effects on metabolism, I wouldn't know. Either way let us know how it goes in a few weeks.