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Does Heavy Cardio Cause Muscle Loss?
Hi,I am a 26 yr old male, 5 11 tall. My weight used to be 113.5 kg. I joined a gym about 4 months ago. My fitness program has 3 days each of cardio and strength training. My weight is currently 98 kg. I push myself pretty hard in the cardio sessions as I feel it is really helping me lose weight but my gym instructors ask me to reduce cardio intensity and concentrate more on strength training. They say that heavy cardio causes muscle loss and not fat loss. Is there any truth in this?I feel a lot fitter now and can t notice any muscle loss and I do notice my skin getting a lot firmer.
Wed, 22 Jul 2020
Hi,
No, this is not true at all as cardio directly helps reduce excess fat mass, strength training indirectly helps reduce excess fat mass. Since your goal is to reduce excess fat you are exercising the right way. Also, you do not need to work with very high intensity as low intensity up to medium intensity is more effective in reducing excess fat mass, as fat is the main source of energy in low - medium intensity of physical activity.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Florent Krasniqi, Dietitian & Nutritionist
No, this is not true at all as cardio directly helps reduce excess fat mass, strength training indirectly helps reduce excess fat mass. Since your goal is to reduce excess fat you are exercising the right way. Also, you do not need to work with very high intensity as low intensity up to medium intensity is more effective in reducing excess fat mass, as fat is the main source of energy in low - medium intensity of physical activity.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Florent Krasniqi, Dietitian & Nutritionist
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