Cardio: How much is too much?

What is considered the maximum for cardio before it becomes counterproductive?  Right now I do 40 minutes, 5x per week, mainly running.  However, I am thinking of upping it to 6 or 7x because I feel so good after I run that I find I could do it daily...what do you all think?

P.S.  Sorry for being such a CC Junkie today! I'm all over the boards! :]

Well what are your goals? If your goal is fat loss and changing your body shape, that's way more than necessary and you really should be doing a strength training routine 3 days and not just 5 days of cardio.

If you're just asking if running seven days a week is too much, I wouldn't think so if you're a healthy person.

Oh no, i strength train 2-3x per week as well...I'm aware of how important it is.

Could you tell us what your goals are? Running 7x a week and 3 days of weights is way too much. Your weights will suffer a lot with all that running.

Im 5'8, 158lbs, almost 20 years old...would like to get down to 140, but I'd be happy with a toned 145.  I probably wouldn't do 7 days, but I'd push for 6 and definitely do 5.

Well if you're running because you love running, who am I to take that away from you? If you're running for fitness, you're doing way too much.

I love running as well, but for muscle gains I limit it two 2 times a week, however I do cardio 6 time a week, 3 times its a HIIT style hour long spin class, and then usually the eliptical, the change up of the style of cardio actully helps you cardio ability and helps limit muscle loss.

I do some sort of cardio every day.  I also do weights a few times a week.  I try for at least 45 minutes of low to moderate cardio a day  2 days a week I'll do a hard workout  like today I did 35 minutes in my high zone on the elliptical and 20 minutes warm up / cool down.  I can't run due to pains - but if its something you enjoy and you aren't over stressing your body then go for it - but I'd say maybe make one day a slow jog or maybe even just a walk to let the body recoupe a bit.  There is one day a week I'll do the elliptical for 90 minutes but at a nice slow relaxed pace when weather permits I'll walk for 5 miles instead its just my way of stress release.

Go to http://www.cooperaerobics.com/radio/BBAerobic sPointSystem.aspx

This site gives points for exercise. To be fit the minimal is 32 - 50 points a week. An example you are running for 40 minutes if you cover 3 miles than you would earn 8 points.
If you are running and earning more than the recommended points you risk injuring yourself. You do not want ligament or tendon problems.
If the point system interests you the author is Ken Cooper and he has a few books out, probably get them at the library.

7 days might be a bit much.  As far as it being counter-productive I would watch the intensity level you train at for the 40 minutes(you may already know this) but here it goes anyway..  Lyposis typically starts about 20 minutes into the session.  So for the first 20 mins. I would say train at about 7-85% of THR(Target Heart Range).  After 20 minutes when the fat burning really kicks in you need to scale the intensity back to probably about 50% or less.  Training at 70% or more of THR for the entire time will produce lactate which can be inhibit fat metabolism.  Once you scale back the intensity the lactate can dissapate quite quickly and for the last 20 mins you should be able to hit the fat without being counter productive.

Error:  75-85% of THR not 7-85%

mrmike01. So is it bad to be over the 50 point mark? Right now I am over the 150 mark. I don't think it is over the top, because I believe my body can handle it. I think 50 low for the top end.

Running every day is pretty hard on your body - doesn't give your muscles much chance to recover.  My recommendation would be that you run on a maximum of 5 days.  If you want more cardio, add some distance to one or two of those runs.  On the other days, do some cross-training:  swimming, biking, rowing or something else - just something that's not causing as much pounding.  Biking is really good for runners because it's an entirely different set of muscles that get used.

Regarding target heart rate - usually I hear Max 85%, fat burning zone is 50 - 70%.  150% is WAY TOO HIGH - bullpicker, you are at risk of damaging your heart by getting your heart rate up that high. 

thanks for the reply, but i must have been misunderstood. I was not talking about the THR, I was talking about 150 points on the link that mrmike01 posted.

If you don't feel sluggish and you feel good when you exercise, I would think 7xdays is just fine! Don't force it though, if you are tired or sore, don't keep exercising. Take a break. Otherwise, keep it up!