Evening Cardio Question

[falco21]

I am looking to drop my body fat percentage right now. Diet is in check but I had a question on the cardio aspect of the plan.

I wake up every morning at 4 am for work. There is absolutely no way I would be able to do my cardio even earlier than that. The question I have is whether or not evening cardio is just as beneficial as morning cardio, if done as HIIT? I lift in the evenings due to work and school, but was curious if doing HIIT after my lifting session would be just as beneficial?

[bodybuilder]

Yes bro, cardio is cardio no matter what time you do it, as long as you do it obviosly.

[falco21]

That's what I thought. I just read around everywhere about how beneficial morning cardio is on an empty stomach and was wondering if evening cardio had the same benefits. I would love to wake up early and do my cardio. Gets it done and I felt so refreshed when I used to do that. Time just does not permit right now. Especially with the Holiday's coming up and all the extra hours at work. :/

Either way, I will be doing 30 minutes of HIIT every evening after lifting. I have access to many machines, which is the best for doing the HIIT? Or, is there another better way of getting the best results from it? Remember, this will be after I lift.

[bodybuilder]

It may very well be better to do cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach but, i highly doubt its that big of a diffrence. As long as you do it youll be fine bro.

[baseline_9]

I agree with Pit

30 min is not a HIIT session, its an intervals session.... ODnt go too mad on the higher intensity part IMO, 30-50 mins 5-6 times per week will help you out

[falco21]

I was looking at maybe something like this on the treadmill:

Maintain speed at moderate intensity.
Jump to a high sprint for 30-45 seconds.
Back down to a moderate speed for 2 minutes.
And so on.

I read that doing HIIT anywhere more than 30 minutes is not a smart idea. Any truth to this?

[baseline_9]

What you plan to do is fine, you can build that up to 50 mins no problem

[falco21]

Ok great!

I will be starting this tonight.

[baseline_9]

For the low intensity part i would go to a fast walk on an incline of maybe 6.0-7.5

For the higher intensity part I would up the speed so that you are running but not sprinting

[falco21]

So I shouldn't necessarily go at a sprint? More of a incline fast walk and an incline slight jog?

[joshh]

i lift in the mornings, do cardio after my workout and then hiit at night. after my workout i just do 45m of low intensity cardio (~130hr), i wouldn't be doing any higher intensity cardio after a workout. low intensity uses fat stores for energy

[DubVwrestler171]

I would agree with baseline on this one.

[jilsley]

I'm new so sorry, what is HIIT and how and why do you do it? Would start my own post but since your all here.

[falco21]

HIIT - High Intensity Interval Training

It is done by doing intervals of an exercise in which elevates your heart rate and then relieves it back to normal.

Example: Doing 1 minute of a full out sprint, followed by 2 minutes walking. HIIT is great for fat loss and is great for increasing your metabolism for hours after completed. It should never be done on an empty stomach though, as it uses carbs as a fuel a source.