Behold another epiphany I had while out on the same run I mentioned yesterday:
The main reason it took me over a decade to truly make meaningful cardio a fixed, firm part of my training schedule is that I find it deathly boring.
Not just protracted runs and bike rides that most normal and well adjusted people find boring, either.
Even high intensity work like sprints or activities rich in variety like circuits that are often touted as a “cure” for those who cannot abide running and whatnot are about as appetising as a cup of coffee that has been left to cool a little too long.
Sure, I’ll drink it for the pick me up, but I won’t enjoy the experience one bit.
Mine is a view shared by many, especially those who lift weights first and foremost.
Moreover, you may be surprised to learn I actually don’t have a problem with people who think this way.
There are two reasons for this:
Firstly, because my negative attitude towards cardio hasn’t changed, so to take issue would make me even more of an almighty hypocrite than I am told that I am by some of my most devoted fans. And secondly, because there is no getting away from the fact that lifting weights is objectively more mentally stimulating and, yes, enjoyable than any form of cardio you could possibly engage in.
Why?
Lifting requires you to develop a cornucopia of skills, there are basically infinite variables to tweak, if you stall in one area you can merrily focus on progressing in another and, in so doing, often bust whatever plateau was vexing you, etc, etc, etc.
Cardiovascular exercise offers none of this.
It requires no special abilities or talents beyond an ability to knuckle down and Do The Work™, despite that work being duller and less appealing than seven day old dishwater.
However.
Your training programme is not “complete” unless it has at least some cardiovascular work that is as challenging as your lifting.
Take note:
I said “some cardiovascular work”.
That does not mean “the same amount of” or “more”. An obvious distinction but one I have to point out lest I get inundated by emails from the aCkShUaLlY brigade saying doing too much cardio is detrimental when training for certain goals.
It is, obviously. But likewise, a couple of runs, sprinting sessions, medleys, bodyweight circuits, or some combination thereof per week aren’t going to “steal your gainz”.
More likely is that putting in the effort to build a heartier gas tank will do the exact opposite by enhancing the results you get from picking things up and putting them down.
Nothing you can do about the boredom though, I am afraid.
Although I have found that having a “grab bag” of different workout styles I can easily adapt based on my current fitness levels, aspirations, and whatever else is going on in my life does go a long way towards making the whole shebang more inviting and therefore easier to stick with.
Enter my very short and very ugly book:
“The Conditioning Codex”
Which just so happens to be on sale for a chunky discount until 23:59 tomorrow (9th).
Enter the code RUN at the checkout to claim the aforementioned discount (be sure you have seen the price drop before proceeding with your purchase).
It goes without saying that you should read the below sales page carefully before making your decision:
https://philtyreman.co.uk/codex/
Thank you,
Phil Tyreman