I’m trying to figure out how people manage to get 10k steps a day and lift weights. Doesn’t the cardio cancel out the benefits of lifting? I’ve heard that cardio can cause muscle loss, and now I’m confused about how to balance both.
My goal is to tone up and lose body fat, but it feels like walking 10k steps daily might stop me from building muscle. Should I focus on one over the other? Any tips on balancing both would really help.
Doing 10k steps won’t ruin your progress if your workout program is solid, with things like progressive overload and good exercise choices. Even if you’re new to lifting, 10k steps won’t get in the way.
Think about the difference between sprinters and marathon runners; maybe try adding HIIT into your walking routine.
Short version: Keep doing 10k steps. It can actually help you recover after lifting.
@Marley
Thanks so much. I’ve been lifting for a year, but I’m stuck with stubborn belly fat, so I switched to running for a bit. I just don’t want to lose muscle if I focus too much on cardio. Do you have tips for fitting in 10k steps with lifting? It takes a lot of time.
@Jordan
What does your diet look like? Also, what exercises are you doing? Walking helps increase your calorie burn but won’t specifically target belly fat.
Who told you cardio kills gains? That’s just not true. Cardio, especially things like incline walking or cycling, can help you burn fat way more efficiently. Combining cardio with lifting is exactly how you get toned and lose fat.
@Rowan
I swear I’ve heard that running makes you lose muscle. Maybe it’s cardio combined with a calorie deficit?
Jordan said:
@Rowan
I swear I’ve heard that running makes you lose muscle. Maybe it’s cardio combined with a calorie deficit?
A lot of gym bros say that as an excuse to skip cardio.
Jordan said:
@Rowan
I swear I’ve heard that running makes you lose muscle. Maybe it’s cardio combined with a calorie deficit?
People say all sorts of things. A lot of them are just plain wrong.
Jordan said:
@Ashby
Fitness influencers are the worst for spreading bad information.
They’re awful. The amount of nonsense they spread is crazy.
Here’s my routine:
That’s what I typically do, but it would help if you shared your age, height, weight, and fitness goals so I can give you more specific advice.
@Tal
That’s a lot of exercise. I don’t have 4 hours a day to dedicate to workouts. I’m 5’3”, female, 150 lbs, and my goal weight is around 130 lbs. The number on the scale doesn’t matter much to me; I just want to lose body fat and keep building muscle. My stomach is the biggest problem area for me.