Thoughts on cardio?

Just wondering what people's thoughts are on fitting cardio into the weekly programming.

At the moment I'm doing F1 Mon / Wed / Fri plus stretching after each session, and H1 on Sat.

Will cardio diminish the quality of my rest days or possibly improve them?

When I've done cardio in the past, I've done Sprint 8 on the spin bike (eight 30s sprints, with 1.5 mins rest in between each sprint), but that's relatively intense... again, just wondering if this might diminish the quality of my rest days.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks!

Cam

It has already been discussed many times, please use the search function !

Again, again and again : https://www.gymnasticbodies.com/forum/topic/5063-cardio/

Coach Sommer said:

Short distance running will have not have a negative long-term impact on your strength gains. Although in the short-term it may, if you are beginning your cardio training from a fitness deficit or attempting too much initial intensity.

Coach Sommer said:

Excellent point.

This is illustrative of the substantial difference in training effects that manipulating running volume can have; e.g. ts00nami's former 30 miles per week (loss of strength) and the Sr Chinese National Team's current volume of 6-15 miles per week (strongest in the world). My best approximation is that the Chinese are probably hitting nearer the 9 mile mark on a weekly basis (not including 400m work), with the occasional 6 and 15 mile weeks being thrown in depending on the training cycle.

My personal preference is to see the weekly running total stay at the lower end of the scale near the 6 mile range. At this volume you could break it up into either three 2 mile days or two 3 mile days. Thus even if you are not a particularly proficient runner, if you choose the 2 miles a day option; you are still finished with this portion of your workout in 15-18 minutes. Which is actually perfect to sufficiently elevate your core temperature enough to proceed directly into your joint prehab work prior to the main body of your workout.

Yours in Fitness,

Coach Sommer

That's perfect - thanks man!

Excellent question and post response!