Gilad's Discussion Forum

[lynn]

Hello,

I workout on cardio machines almost everyday, but my mother is telling me that it is deforming my body and that i should stop it. she said that my calves, heels, and shoulders are becoming muscular. is it true that cardio machines like ellipticals (ones i mostly use) could do this (build up muscles)? if so, should i completely stop cardio workout?
i also recently bought Gilad's "Power and Grace" DVD but i am not sure if i should supplement the workout included in this DVD with other types of workout for optimal results? if so, what kinds of exercises do you suggest.

Thanks,
Lynn

[shupe87]

Hi Lynn,

For most people, the point of cardio is to burn fat to reveal the musculature underneath. I'm not quite sure I completely understand why it is a bad thing that your body is becoming muscular, nor why you consider this a "deformation." Are your goals to exercise without becoming muscular? Because in reality, regardless of what type of exercise you're doing, you're eventually going to build some sort of muscle as a result of it. As for quitting cardio, I would not recommend doing this; especially if you're main objective is to burn fat and/or lose weight. If you wish to tone up your body as well as burn fat, you should consider adding some workouts with weights a couple times a week.

As for Gilad's Power & Grace DVD, it's a great cardio and lower body toning workout. Personally, I supplement this workout with some upper body toning (Gilad's Cuts & Curves workout is a good one) and some sort of abs (like Gilad's Core & More), as well as a regular cardio regime.

I hope this helps answer some of your questions.

-shupe87