Some quick follow up question to this: I'm using the cross trainer daily at home. I would like to continue this evening routine, but the trainer told me on days of strength training cardio should only be a warm up and a finish of my training (10-15 mins, moderate speed). I'm using the cross trainer at a speed of 14 to 16 mph (hope it's converted correctly; I mean 23-25 km/h - so yes I am almost running ^^) for 30 to 45 mins and varying resistances. What's the big deal doing cardio and strength training together on one day?
Snow White,
I think there is no big deal about doing cardio and strength training on one day. Of course I am not an expert on anything but my own experience and that of people I know. So, I do not want to sound like I am giving advice -just my thoughts:).
There are lots of myths and legends that you will hear if you spend time in gyms, or hang out with fitness professionals. Some are simply made up and repeated over and over. Some may have a factual basis. I don't know if there is any evidence for what your trainer is telling you about cardio v. strength training. I never bothered to find out because I was fine doing what worked for me.
I do know that I didn't have any negative effects from doing both on the same day, as long as I felt like doing it. I will tell you an anecdote that explains why I don't believe your trainer is right.
When I was a teenage girl, my fitness mentor was a relative who had been a pro boxer. He had also been a boxing coach and instructor in the Navy. He was middle-aged then, and still trained like a boxer, exercising every day. A typical day would be running outdoors if the weather allowed,or jumping rope and hitting a speed bag if he had to stay indoors. (This was cardio). Then he would lift some weights, do push-ups and/or callesthenics .
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calisthenics. (This was strength exercise). Did it make him less of an athlete? I don't think so.
I tried to follow his example (yes, even learning some boxing moves) although I didn't work nearly that hard. But I got in the habit of not even thinking about which kind of exercise I was doing. I did what I felt was a good enough workout for that day and the amount of energy I had, and I stopped if something hurt. This got me to a fitness level that was satisfactory for me.
Then, look at how homo sapiens have lived for most of human history and prehistory. Peasants plowed and dug in the ground and carried water (strength). To get where they were going, they may have had to walk long distances, climb hills, row boats,etc. (Cardio). They may have done this while carrying heavy loads. (Strength). Hunter gatherers had to walk around, dig up roots, climb trees for fruit, carry all the stuff they found, and run from predators. Did they need to worry about whether they were mixing up cardio and weight lifting? Somehow, I doubt it:).
The bottom line is that you can use your own judgement about this. It sounds like you are doing really well with the cross trainer workouts. Why should you stop?
It sounds like you are losing weight, and you are probably getting stronger too.
Some people have the opinion that you can't put on muscle while losing weight. You can find out for yourself what is possible for you.
Now, if your goal is to be a Navy Seal, or try out for the Olympics, then things might be different LOL. But for ordinary people trying to get to a healthy level of fitness, I think simple exercise, common sense and consistency will get you there.
Just one lone lunatic's opinion, of course
.
If you want to use free weights or exercise machines at the gym, maybe you can just do that on your own, and not use the personal trainer at all. It's easy to make up a simple basic routine with some help from a good book or video.
This is getting to be a long post, so I'll stop for now. I will post some links later for a book and free videos that might be helpful.