If you want a runner's figure(slender and with defined(but not necessarily large muscles) and a runner's stamina I want to "hear" what you do to achieve it.
I suppose [b]sustained [/b]aerobic activity like jogging,bicycling,swimming,etc are all good choices for these groups.
But[b] if you want a more muscular build .......DROP the SLOW CARDIO NOW![/b][:)]
Too much aerobics burns up muscle,so if your goal is to increase muscle mass you must switch to a shorter, SPRINTING type of aerobics.
As you know,muscle burns more calories at rest than fat,so the larger your muscles the more calories you will burn while resting!
Not to mention when you are actually active!
[red]The ideal cardio program should be long enough to increase your metabolic rate,but not so long that it begins to eat your hard earned muscle![/b]
[b]Fast paced (short duration,high intensity)aerobics also has a longer lasting effect on increasing your resting metabolic state.[/b]
I use a treadmill often, because our winters are cold and icy(fall on your ass and break your neck type),but I have switched recently from a 30 minute, relatively slow sustained pace,to a higher intensity,shorter duration (20 min) program.
What is your advice for both the endurance people and for the resistance training group.