Can I run/do cardio the day after a leg workout?

[gymtime]

I do legs once a week and hit them pretty hard. I'm almost always sore the next day or two. Is running or crosstraining, biking the day after a leg workout a bad idea?

 

[keiko]

I'm barely able to hobble the day after legs. I try to take that day off. Frankly, I think if you're able to run or bike, you need to work your legs harder.

 

[M56M]

I'm barely able to hobble the day after legs. I try to take that day off. Frankly, I think if you're able to run or bike, you need to work your legs harder.

Same here when i first started working out my legs, my legs are usely useless up to two days after i train them. But you will find the longer you work them out that they eventually are like the rest your body and don't hurt as much.

M56M

 

[death on the field]

i disagree first whether or not u cna hobble or not is individualistic and is also the by product of age.since i m 18 my body can recover quicker than urs. also stretching is vitally important. also so is hte intake of vitamin c. i have found that after legs a few hours after mind u that i am quicker and can jump hgher than before. and trust me it isnt in my lack of effort i have a 680 pound squat to parallel not to atf tho.

 

[flex4life]

some light cardio day after will increase circulation in the legs and assist with muscle soreness.

 

[MonStar1023]

I wouldnt recommend it. I would say that light cardio would be alright. I think a lot of stretching the next day or 2 after leg day can really help clear some lactic acid which may aid in the recovery process as well. Good luck bro. Watch for signs of overtraining if you decide to do the cardio.

 

[The mann]

take that day off bro............

 

[absolute hardgainer]

I couldn't quite believe that this was a serious post, now if you an affection for agonizing pain and some strong masochistic tendencies then yes, by all means, do your cardio and run the day after you work your legs. But if you value your personal comfort then I suggest you heed the advice given here.

hardgainer (values personal comfort)

 

[Superbabe]

I agree with flex4life . . .

Sometimes I wonder about leg training; I'm always recovering from it and as such can never really walk properly or do much after leg day, which kind of negates the some reasons why I train. Who wants to look at great legs if the person they attach to is having to walk like they just shat themselves . . . .

Have a good day everyone !!!

 

[gymtime]

The reason I asked was because I tend to put on fat easily and cardio is important to me. And I've been told (like what Flex said) that some cardio can help with the soreness. But it pretty much seems as good a day to take off as any.

Thanks to all for the replies!

 

[YoungNHugeGuns]

Do cardio first thing in the morning of your leg day! Or anytime before you train legs, but not directly before, and not anytime after.

 

[Cackerot69]

Different energy mechanism, it will only help as long as it's not "hard" or intense (i.e. jogging is OK, but sprinting is not).

 

[Guinness]

Gymtime,

Can you swim and do you have access to a pool? I was in the same dilemma as you, as I usually waste my legs pretty well on leg day, and am sore for at least two days afterwards (especially my calves). I didn't want to give up my cardio day, so for the first time, I went swimming for cardio the day after my leg day. Worked like a champ!! Now, I'm not the world's greatest swimmer, so it was a bit of a struggle to do all 20 minutes without drowning, but as long as I switched strokes often, I was able to make it through. got a pretty damn good cardio workout, and my arms, chest and back were actually friggin pumped when all was said and done. Leg's were no worse for the wear, since I used them very little during the swim. It was a little weird since my apt. complex has such a small pool, and I had to wait for the kiddies to get out of it later in the evening, but if you have access to a pool, I highly recommend considering swimming as an alternative after leg day.

 

[M56M]

Gymtime,

Can you swim and do you have access to a pool? I was in the same dilemma as you, as I usually waste my legs pretty well on leg day, and am sore for at least two days afterwards (especially my calves). I didn't want to give up my cardio day, so for the first time, I went swimming for cardio the day after my leg day. Worked like a champ!! Now, I'm not the world's greatest swimmer, so it was a bit of a struggle to do all 20 minutes without drowning, but as long as I switched strokes often, I was able to make it through. got a pretty damn good cardio workout, and my arms, chest and back were actually friggin pumped when all was said and done. Leg's were no worse for the wear, since I used them very little during the swim. It was a little weird since my apt. complex has such a small pool, and I had to wait for the kiddies to get out of it later in the evening, but if you have access to a pool, I highly recommend considering swimming as an alternative after leg day.

Couldn't agree more!! Swimming IMO is the best form of cardio. You workout every muscle possible and don't put a strain on anything. I spent all of last summer in a pool and had my BF% at about 8, which is the lowest i had ever experienced.

M56M

 

[gymtime]

Good idea man. I hadn't thought about that really. And I even live in Phoenix. You can't swing a dead cat in this town without hitting a pool. I will try it. Thanks man!