I recently spoke to a friend who told me he was doing 45 minutes on the elliptical machine every night because he was trying to “get big.” While that will no doubt help him shed pounds and fat, it won’t help him build lean muscle.

So how much is too much when it comes to cardio? The answer is simple — it all depends on your personal fitness goals. If your goal is to strictly lose weight then 30-45 minutes of cardio is ideal. However, if you’re lifting regularly then you want to aim for 20 minutes of low intensity cardio after every workout.

Keep in mind, this is just a general rule. As I always say, different techniques will work for different people. You just have to find what works for you. Just remember that building muscle requires more calories, so if you’re doing longer cardio sessions you’re obviously burning more calories and that’s cutting into your muscle mass.

In the end it’s all about the look you wish to achieve. I would love to hear what works for you. What’s your cardio of choice and for how long? What intensity do you find works best for you? Share your thoughts.