will Kettlebell HIIT in the morning be enough cardio?

[buffalojoe]

My goal right now is to get lean enough to see my abs without losing my muscles.

I lift twice a week for two weeks, four times in one week, and repeat that cycle. Its because of my job and i cant really do much about it.

Do you think that doing a set of kettlebell swings until it feels like my heart will explode (190-220 for me) and then recovering for a minute before starting again will be a sufficient daily cardio session? Maybe 20 minutes total? I eat pretty good, and am taking the next step by working with 3js, just looking for input on what cardio works best given limited time and lack of a gym.

Im probably only 15-20#s away.

 

[Mrrippedzilla]

Hiit is an excellent form of cardio - depending on your calorie deficit. If your deficit is 40%+, then hiit will do more harm than good for your body, especially first thing in the morning.
However, if you have a small deficit, 2-3 sessions would be enough per week. Your body will break down if you do it everyday - especially when your weight training & in a deficit.
Personally, I'd focus more on your diet, with a quality deficit cardio can become unneccessary - unless your interested in the health benefits.

 

[R9]

Hiit is an excellent form of cardio - depending on your calorie deficit. If your deficit is 40%+, then hiit will do more harm than good for your body, especially first thing in the morning.
However, if you have a small deficit, 2-3 sessions would be enough per week. Your body will break down if you do it everyday - especially when your weight training & in a deficit.
Personally, I'd focus more on your diet, with a quality deficit cardio can become unneccessary - unless your interested in the health benefits.

Well said! I think cutting weight for normal people (as OP said; 15-20lbs away) is 90% diet and the rest is mostly diet. Keep up the lifting for muscle sparing and concentrate on the diet. I think if you have to do some cardio then kettlebell swings are great because they'll also make you stronger. Be mindful that they don't just make you eat more.


Full disclosure: I'm a powerlifter and my ideas of cutting weight and cardio may be outside the norm for this place.

 

[buffalojoe]

Ill start with twice a week and stay on my diet from 3js, thanks guys.

 

[hoochmooch]

Even though it looks like you got your answer I will throw in my 2 cents as well.

Agreed diet is the most important part, if you eat like shit your will look like shit.

I recently started doing something similar in terms of cardio (HIIT) Kettle bell swings, box jumps, jump squats,burps,jump roping, rowing etc. I would recommend getting an interval timer instead of going by heart beat. A stand alone interval timer will run you 40 bucks or so for a small one you can clip on your shorts. Or if you have a smart phone they do have interval timer apps that are free or a few bucks. Personally I use seconds pro app on my iphone. It's very programmable and I love it.

Good luck!

 

[hoochmooch]

One other thing I forgot to add is throw in some not as intense cardio, specifically I am talking about walking. Until recently I under estimated the power of walking to lose weight. A few months ago I bought a pedometer (Nike Fuel Band) with the goal of getting 10k steps a day (1 mile=2000 steps) I did that for months and the weight just fell off.