Cardio dilemma

safc_graeme · 8th June 2012, 11:36 PM

Right, I usually get my cardio by running to the gym (I'm in training for the great north run), but I'm wondering which would be better cardio:

Gym 1 is about a mile away from my house. I could sprint to/from there.

Gym 2 is further, and my typical route there is about 8km, which I run there, and about a 3km route back.

Or C, just for Ross - drive to gym, and do HIIT on the rower.

Basically my question is, is sprinting a considerably shorter distance going to be as good a workout than plodding along for 8k? I know I can run 13 miles, so the training benefit isn't really an issue. I realise I'm going to be told that I shouldn't be doing that much cardio on the same day as weights, or that I should be doing about 20 minutes afterwards

oROSSo · 9th June 2012, 08:54 AM

C god damn you, C!!!!!

In truth mate I dunno, I've never trained for long distance running. I imagine HIIT will be beneficial as its very good for the lungs

Titus · 9th June 2012, 10:05 AM

If building your aerobic base isn't an issue, go with some HIIT.

Hammer · 9th June 2012, 11:54 AM

Would a mixture of all of the above give you all of the benefits each have to offer?

Titus · 9th June 2012, 12:00 PM

Not to the extent that focusing on one of them would.

safc_graeme · 11th June 2012, 01:20 PM

Right, cheers for the input, I think I'll try and do HIIT through the week, and then have a long run at the weekend as training for the runs. I play football 3 or 4 times a week too, so it's a good base for cardio I think.

Lewberry pie · 11th June 2012, 02:03 PM

what about hiit, raising you resting metabolic rate so would it also raise your calorie burn if you did hiit followed by steady state cardio afterwards?

and for increased endurance will hiit be as effective on its own or in conjunction with steady state.

finally, hiit is more efficient than ssc, but is it more efficient than high level steady state cardio? iv'e read that they are very similar.

Titus · 11th June 2012, 03:23 PM

How efficient it is, is relative to your goals of the exercise.

Lewberry pie · 11th June 2012, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus

How efficient it is, is relative to your goals of the exercise.

I went for a run today I forgot about me bad feet it looks like hill sprints for me until I see the foot dr

Jambezz · 13th June 2012, 09:59 AM

This hill looks far steeper in real life! :
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Fidd...352.38,,1,0.18
is that anywhere near big enough for hill sprints? I knar nothing about this stuff