Cardio while bulking?

[Kerpal]

I just started lifting weights and was doing a lot of cardio and trying to get bigger at the same time, which I now realize may have been a huge waste of time. I wasn't getting any stronger for a few weeks and was starting to get frustrated. I cut down on the cardio from 45 minutes to an hour of hard cardio 4-5 times a week to 20 minutes twice a week, and all of a sudden I am much stronger and can lift more weight on almost every exercise. I'm wondering if doing too much cardio was burning up all the extra calories I'm eating and diverting it away from growing stronger, or is it just a coincidence that I am so much stronger all of a sudden?

 

[[S]alvatore]

It's good to do cardio a few times a week even while bulking, to maintain cardiovascular health. But if you do make sure to consume more calories on those days.

 

[B-Lemond]

Go to the Sticky: Guide to BULKING UP.

Scroll down and Read #12.

 

[[S]alvatore]

That guide is sh!thouse.

 

[Brian20o2]

It says guide to bulking. As in packing on muscle. Cardio is good but I woudlnt do more than 30 min cardio or else you might start changing the muscle in your body into maraton muscle (Long and lanky) No dont get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with being able to run 3+ miles. But your wort look ripped if you do too much long timing lardio.

 

[Shiftkey]

Yes, cardio is counter productive to bulking. It is possible to still bulk and do cardio if you add extra caleries, but it's more efficient to do less or none at all.

 

[Adone]

or else you might start changing the muscle in your body into maraton muscle (Long and lanky)

Are you joking? Do you really think it's possible to change the shape of your muscles?

 

[[S]alvatore]

Are you joking? Do you really think it's possible to change the shape of your muscles?

^^^^Thank you.
At least someone is on the same page as me.

 

[Shiftkey]

Are you joking? Do you really think it's possible to change the shape of your muscles?

Yes, he is correct about that.

http://www.ptjournal.org/PTJournal/November2001/v81n11p1810.cfm

"muscle fibers can adapt to changing demands by changing size or fiber type composition"

But you can still be ripped with endurance type muscle - that depends more on fat percentage.

 

[fireguy]

Cardio is counter productive to bulking. but so is cutting for three months, so why not just do 20-30 minutes of cardio 2-3 times a week to keep bodyfat to a minimum?

 

[Brian20o2]

Exactly my point. There is nothin wrong with a little cardio (Less than 30 min 4 times a week) Although I sugest HIIT when bulking. But if you do to much it wil cancel out any bulking up you are trying to achive.

 

[Shiftkey]

When you say cardio, do you mean running and similar activities?

I want to get bigger and stronger, but not someone who has zero stamina. If I jog daily for about 15 or 20 minutes, will that have a negative impact on my muscle expansion?

Cardio is any type of exercise that primarily works your heart - running is generally considered cardio (anything other than sprinting).

Running 20 minutes a day could have a negative impact on bulking, but you can offset this by eating enough extra calories. Ideal conditions for bulking would include no cardio because of muscle fiber types and metabolism, but for overall health, including cardio is a good idea.

 

[DarkLight]

So whats up with losing weight.

Been sitting on my ass for too long, and the beer belly, etc. is in need of some excercise.

Shall I go the route of weights, and lifting, to build the muscle that would then burn the fat off. Or get the cardio action going?

Right now... I do 20minutes of Cardio, then lift for about 35-40min. Then another 10min. of Cardio.

I've seen some increase in size and strength in my muscles. But for the most part the belly is still all too round. lol

What do you all suggest?
Where should my focus be, to tackle this?

 

[prosemont]

So whats up with losing weight.

Been sitting on my ass for too long, and the beer belly, etc. is in need of some excercise.

Shall I go the route of weights, and lifting, to build the muscle that would then burn the fat off. Or get the cardio action going?

Right now... I do 20minutes of Cardio, then lift for about 35-40min. Then another 10min. of Cardio.

I've seen some increase in size and strength in my muscles. But for the most part the belly is still all too round. lol

What do you all suggest?
Where should my focus be, to tackle this?

check out Diesel's cutting post which is stickied above.

 

[Warboss Alex]

check out Diesel's cutting post which is stickied above.

Simply:

Cardio is sensible regardless of goals.
Cardio enhances recovery and therefore muscle growth.
Cardio enhances your cardiovasvular condition.
Cardio gets and keeps you lean.
You can drop fat through cardio and clean eating while 'bulking'.
If you keep your fat off during your 'bulks' as above, you don't need to spend 3 months 'bulking' and 3 months 'cutting'.
If cardio stops you gaining muscle, you don't need it. If it doesn't, you most likely do.

 

[fireguy]

Personaly I prefer incline walking 45 minutes tree days a week on my off days. I also eat all my carb meals before six in the evening and after six, I eat only protein and vegitables to dampen the hunger. That way I'll gain minimal amounts of fat. Tested, tried, success.

 

[The_Lifter]

HIIT Sprints or clean cardio.

 

[Warboss Alex]

clean cardio.

Is that where you have a shower beforehand?