Cardio isn’t punishment—it’s conditioning. The problem isn’t cardio; it’s misapplied cardio.
Low-intensity aerobic work improves blood flow, nutrient delivery, and recovery between sessions [1].
• Steady-state: recovery, fat oxidation
• Intervals: power, VO₂ max
• Sport-style conditioning: transfer to performance
Muscle loss comes from calorie deficits and poor programming, not cardio itself [2].
Practical Application
• 1–2 low-intensity days
• 1 short interval session
• Match conditioning to goals
Final Takeaway: cardio is a tool. Use the right one.
