The Cardio Free Diet

by Fitz K. (Subscribe to Fitz K.'s posts)
Apr 18th 2007 9:30PM

Categories: Healthy Habits, Womens Health, Healthy Kids, Healthy Products and Reviews, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Reviews & Products, Motivation, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health

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A reader just sent me a link to info on this new book asking for my opinion. (Thanks!) The Cardio Free Diet was featured on Good Morning America the other day and I got to hear the author's spin on it. He's a guy who used to promote genuine fitness and then turned against cardio. He claims that people will lose weight better by just doing strength training, because cardiovascular training makes people 'hungrier' and therefore many people will be unsuccessful with a balanced fitness routine.

My opinion is that of disappointment. Yet again, someone is making lots of money off of the frustration of people desperate to lose weight and get fit once and for all. Cardio free? Gee that sounds terrific. What he's not honking his horn about is that he also is requiring people on his program to maintain a 1,200 calorie diet. HELLO! That's not a bunch of calories, so almost anyone would lose weight by just adhering to the diet with NO exercise. So, that's not REALLY a "cardio free" diet. It's just a diet.

By promoting this ridiculous 'diet', the guy is completely ignoring the benefits of great cardiovascular and lung capacity, endurance, and agility. Wow! What a huge disappointment. In order to be physically fit, one must address all areas of fitness training. For example, imagine a marathon runner who could touch her toes, but couldn't lift her own groceries. Is she legitimately fit? NO! She's not strong. How about a bodybuilder who can do a split, but can't run a block? Truly fit? Not really.

Every time we turn around,we find another so called 'expert' selling out to make a buck. Don't bite off on it. Giving up cardio may sound like a treat for those who don't like to work hard or sweat a bunch. It's a shame someone like the author of this book, will steer folks away from one of the most beneficial activities one can take part in for overall health. He's promoting a 1,200 calorie diet, combined with some strength training.

Clients come to me and I don't care about the way they look in a bathing suit. That's their job to worry about the swimsuit. I can help them to achieve that goal, but as their FITNESS trainer I always focus on helping them to become completely fit. I want them not only to feel fabulous physically, but I want them to live better and live longer because of our time together. I don't believe this Cardio Free author has your best interests in mind. In order to be truly FIT I recommend a balanced program of cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training. Combine that with nutritious eating habits and personalized steps towards maintaining stress levels. Think big picture. Live well. Live long.

Benefits of Cardiovascular Exercise:

Increased aerobic capacity. Your heart will become more powerful and beat more efficiently.
Increased lung capacity.
Endurance.
Burns tons of calories.
Helps reduce the risk of heart attack.
Reduces the risk of high cholesterol.
Reduces the risk of high blood pressure.
Reduces the risk and side effects of diabetes.
Aids in digestion.
Helps reduce stress.
Helps you sleep better.
Aids in weight loss.

Comments (10)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

carolehoopes 4-19-2007 @ 7:17AM

try it

Tamera 4-19-2007 @ 8:45AM

I recall seeing something about this last week on 20/20, I diddnt pay too much attention to it because the claim was so outrageous!! Of course every 'body' is different and different things work for different folks, but the idea of loosing weight without cardio? Come on. We ALL know better than that!! If it sounds too good to be true it probably is! And as it turns out this is too. 1,200 calories a day?? You'll lose weight on that alone, there just trying to sell books to those of us who dont like cardio. Dont believe the HYPE!!

N. Suga 4-19-2007 @ 2:01PM

I started sessions with a trainer in July but kept slacking on the cardio, much to her dismay and exasperation. Then in February I was diagnosed with PCOS and was told in no uncertain terms that I had to increase my cardio workouts to at least 150 minutes a week. I lost over 10 pounds (about a pound a week) and 7 inches, just from that increase in cardio exercise -- well that, and cutting back on sugars and eating more lean meats, fruits, and vegetables. But it was all so stupidly simple, I can't believe I resisted doing cardio for so long.

Kimball 4-23-2007 @ 1:32PM

Has anyone read the book? It doesn't demote cardio. It promotes interval strength training, which is a method that combines strength training and cardio. More and more research is showing that this method has more heart benefits than pure cardio.

I had a hard time understanding this concept but what I realize is that cardio is not an exercise, it's the ability to elevate your heart rate. I believe the author is saying that strenth training is one way to elevate your heart rate but you also receive the benefits of building lean muscle and boosting your metabolism.

I wasn't a believer before, but it makes a lot of sense once you read the book. I'm not sure how realistic the diet is because I'm having a hard time with it, but my body looks and feels a lot firmer now.

Robin 5-05-2007 @ 10:15PM

I know that when I'm doing interval training and moving quickly from exercise to exercise my heart rate is high enough to be on the lower end of the target heart rate. So why not do more interval training? I think he has a good point.

fitzness 5-05-2007 @ 10:19PM

I love interval training, because it cardiovascular! That is not cardio-free then. It seems the author may be using the term "cardio-free" to sell books, but just have people doing cardio anyways. Interval training is cardio.
Fitz K.

Linda Dietrick 5-13-2007 @ 7:54AM

Read the book before you make comments. The author isn't against cardio, just the relying soley on it. He points out how it, done exclusively, tears up your joints. That's precisely what happened to me. I'm much better off, much healthier, in great shape and I no longer need a knee replacement. This is the point of the book, relying on cardio alone will damage your joints.

fitzness 5-13-2007 @ 9:21AM

Is he just promoting a well-ballanced fitness plan then? If so....why the need to label it 'Cardio Free'? As if......cardio were a bad thing. I'll read the book, but I wouldn't pay for it. I'm never a fan of someone making one of the crucial elements of fitness look bad. Why not just call the book "Well balanced fitness"?

Fitz

Jai 5-30-2007 @ 9:30AM

Once upon a time I restricted my processed sugar intake, worked out 5 days a week, 30 minutes cardio, 30 minutes with weights and you know what it got me...60 lbs lighter, a pinched nerve in my back and sore knees. Well I then decided after my recovery that the floor was too hard, so I got the "rebounder" (the trampoline)...ended up in the hospital and in physical therapy for 6 months. That book was calling to me when I saw it on Good Morning America, I've read it, and applied the interval strength techniques...in a week I look different, I wore a strapless shirt for the first time in my life. So judge harshly all you want cardio nuts, my body is much happier and I'm pretty sure my insurance company is happier too.

Donna 6-12-2007 @ 8:56PM

After reading this book and hearing how well my brother and his wife were doing I thought to give it a try. Just read it before judging what he is trying to get across. The amount of strain I have put on my body with intense cardio I am paying for now.Just 2 days before I picked up this book I strained my foot and ankle (by simply walking 5-6 miles a week at a pace of about 2.0 miles per hour)I can barely get my left foot off the ground. I have aggravated tendinitious in my foot and ankle that I didn't even know was there. I'm sold on his philosophy and look forward to a cardio-free lifestyle. I'm tired of hurting myseld and not even getting great results for it.