Cardio when bulking

[vlad]

Do any of you do cardio when bulking? I never used to do it cause I didn't want to burn extra calories but I've been doing 15-20min of light cardio at the end of my workout for the last two weeks since I was deloading. I cut down my calories to about 3000-3500 and I still gained about 1/2 pound but I seem to be a bit leaner.

[Praetorian]

Just keep it to a minimum. Normally I would recommend it if you have breathing issues...ie oxygen debt or appetite issues. HIT 10-15 mins is fine 2-3 times weekly.
P

[vlad]

I was just curious cause it worked good for me these past two weeks. I am hitting heavy weights today and eating extra 4000-4500cals so no more cardio. Also I walk my dogs daily so that's enough cardio for me.

[rated_rko]

i usually do cardio during bulking but for my next one im going to just do it once a week and see how it goes

[JonnyO]

I've always pondered it as well, but decided to save it for when I diet. Why bother, you shouldnt need it if training and diets on point.

[trainharder]

I do it for the health benefits.

I'd rather eat some extra calories and know that my heart is healthy.

[JonnyO]

I train very high volume and with high intensity, so I dont think cardio is needed as Im sure Im getting more benefit from training like this than hitting the treadmill PoW/O a few times per week.

[tex]

i love cardio...esp running....makes me feel soo damn good....I'm doing at least 3 times a week....

[Ogrew]

20min cardio 2-3 times a week so i dont get out of breath so easily :S

[GYMBRAT]

been doing 20 mins 3 times per wk (low intensity) on this bulker, seems to be working fine for me. If I was to end up losing weight I'd of course up the cals and drop the cardio asap though

[Big D]

no cardio for me, but i'm slowly getting breathing problems so i'm gonna start soon

[C-money]

this fall/winter has been the first time doing consistant cardio with a calorie surplus.. nothing but positives so far for me!

[PdH]

25 - 30 min low intensity 3x a week whether bulking or not. I just feel better when I do.

[Ritch]

this fall/winter has been the first time doing consistant cardio with a calorie surplus.. nothing but positives so far for me!

Any prefered ways of doing it?

[C-money]

Any prefered ways of doing it?

im doing a variety of slow paced and high intensity.. 4-5 sessions a week, the slow paced days are 30 mins, the high intensity interval sessions are 20 mins, my weight gain has been slower no doubt.. but all my gains have been quality gains

[Ritch]

im doing a variety of slow paced and high intensity.. 4-5 sessions a week, the slow paced days are 30 mins, the high intensity interval sessions are 20 mins, my weight gain has been slower no doubt.. but all my gains have been quality gains

That sounds logical and more fun to do by switching things up. Do you do the cardio post workout or seperately?

[C-money]

i always do my cardio post workout Ritch

[Ritch]

i always do my cardio post workout Ritch

I was hoping you would say that, as I`m not obsessed enough to go train, then go home and go back later on and I like to keep my off days, off days...

Last question: do you drink a post workout shake before the cardio or after?

[C-money]

I was hoping you would say that, as I`m not obsessed enough to go train, then go home and go back later on and I like to keep my off days, off days...

Last question: do you drink a post workout shake before the cardio or after?

Ya man i hear ya.. i like to get all my training done at once.. i dont have anything before my cardio.. i just jump right from weights to cardio.. but i make sure to get a shake or something in me ASAP afterwards..

[dremen]

Started cardio PWO the other week and since starting im always out of breath?

Before cardio i was breathing fine so i guess im just a freak:(

[warlock]

For bulking purposes cardio can increase appetite, but that is person to person

[kloan]

Could cardio help the body be more efficient at distributing all the needed nutrients, etc to the muscles for assisted muscle growth?

I mean, if someone is not doing cardio but is just working out, and otherwise sitting around most of the day not getting the body moving, couldn't that limit how the food you eat is properly distributed to your muscles for better recovery? With better circulation, you'd think that would help get things moving and getting to where it needs to go.

[bluenose]

I think cardio has its place in offseason programs for sure. Why stop it in the offseason? The big reason to keep doing cardio is for heart health. The amount that one would be doing in the offseason would not limit gains etc etc.
Personally, I have done both and I believe in doing it year round. If I don't I find cardio is a struggle at first and then it take a bit to get use to it. It's much easier to go from doing 20 minutes a few times a week rather than diving into 30-45 minutes a day when you start dieting.

[LondonMuscle]

if u tend to get a little heavy in the offseason i can see a point in doing cardio to help control you bf, if you dont want to cut the cals back a bit otherwise i dont personally do any

i dont think u will get any cardiovascular benefits over and above what u already get from weight training if u do low intensity cardio, however if u choose to do something higher intensity then u will

to me it just comes down to how fat are u getting and what are u going to do to control that, either cut back on the cals or increase the energy expenditure by adding in some cardio

[monkey]

I don't do any cardio unless I am dieting..
having that said, I started walking to work now on a semi regular basis.. probably replaces low intensity cardio..
I personally don't think I could see myself walking on a treadmill all year long.. I'd get too bored...

[Vitamin S]

cardio is good all year round. heart is a muscle and needs to be worked out just like anything else. 2-3 short 20-30mins sessions a week not going to hamper any gains, in the off season one can prolly try jogging even briskly to keep body fat in check and heart in good shape, and cut back to a more slower intensity longer duration for pre-contest to perserve muscle better and tap into fat stores.

i think its bs that cardio hammers or cuts strength muscle gains, maybe at first but after a while you get it all back and then just continue with it.

[bluenose]

It boils down to that they synergistically work together! Both for fat control and heart health!

[clicker666]

I've been dieting down for the past year, and am closing in on 20% or so. (5'10, 190, 37 waist, 43 chest.) Anyhow, my lifts are pretty weak, and I figured that if I brought my cals up to about 2800 (from the 1800 I've been losing on) that I might be able to add some strength. (muscle)

If I add cardio, will that assist in my attempts to reduce my BF? I don't want to be a 10% at 150 pounds. I like my overall size at 190-ish, but would rather be more muscled than fat. I'm not adverse to tossing 40 minutes of cardio at the end of the day, since I lift at noon.

[vlad]

Dude I am not 300lbs with 50% BF, I am trying to gain and not lose weight. BTW walking my dogs is a ****ing workout. They are not big but those little ****ers pull like crazy. After an hour my arms and shoulders are pretty tired.

[Makarov]

I'd drop it all together, you might see better results with that method. if your getting cardio in everyday activities like a fast-walk with your dogs or such. then dont worry about it, your maintaining your cardio.

[Yazz]

If you're still gaining weight but look leaner, I guess it means that your gaining more muscle. I'm bulking and I have to admit that I do very little cardio, but as JonnyO i train with high intensity. Feel like a million dollars!!