Thread: When is the best time to do cardio when cutting???

the best time for effective fat burn with cardio is on an empty stomach b4 breakfast, however you do run the risk of eating away slightly on your muscle but it will be slight and if you eat clean throughout the day with a high protein intake I doubt you'll hardly notice but u will notice the fat melting away!!

another good time is straight after weight training, keep in mind though after weights your body will need it's protein fix sooner than later so keep the cardio to 20-25 minutes and at a moderate intensity.

if your really concerned about losing muscle mass if u were to do cardio b4 breakfast take a scoop of whey protein, make sure there's hardly any carbs in it though, also take some caffeine about half hour b4, a capsule is better than a cup of coffee by the way but have either.

hope this helps,

Dan.

Carbs, especially "bad" or "simple" sugary carbs will slow down any fat burning going on during cardio. For that reason I think early morning before breakfast is good.

I hope you are also doing some proper weight training to help maintain your lean body mass. Loss of LBM can become an issue if you overtrain or undereat (or eat improperly of course) though.

I think Tom Venutos BFFM book would help you greatly understand the basic principals of this, at least the "fasted morning cardio" as he calls it. Not to mention all of the nutritional stickies to be found here of course.

If you decide on cardio before breakfast make sure breakfast follows shortly after, watching your macronutrients closely and having a healthy dose of protein included. Oatmeal, Whey & Flax is my method

There is a lot more that would have to be known about your specific workout/diet/physical condition/goals before anyone could give you any real laser pin pointed advice though.

good luck

The amount of fat your burn while doing cardio is not as essential as total energy balance. You should be more concerned with the total number of calories you are burning during and after a workout because that is what alters energy balance.

In my opinion, the best time to do cardio is on days that you aren't lifting. If you have to do them the same day because of time constraints, then separating the sessions by 6 hours or more is ideal to allow your nervous and endocrine systems to stabilize once again. If that isn't possible, then doing your cardio after you finish lifting is acceptable. However, I would keep the intensity low here to prevent excess catabolism. Ingesting some protein and BCAAs will also go a long way in preserving lean muscle mass if you must resort to these tactics. I think fasted cardio is stupid, but to each his own.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

...I think fasted cardio is stupid, but to each his own.

Do you believe it to be "stupid" when done properly, for a short time period, on a strict cut with clearly defined goals?

To each their own indeed. Everyone has their own path

Originally Posted by drew_c

Do you believe it to be "stupid" when done properly, for a short time period, on a strict cut with clearly defined goals?

To each their own indeed. Everyone has their own path

I just don't think it makes any sense.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

I think fasted cardio is stupid, but to each his own.

And Trouble would agree with this.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

If that isn't possible, then doing your cardio after you finish lifting is acceptable. However, I would keep the intensity low here to prevent excess catabolism. Ingesting some protein and BCAAs will also go a long way in preserving lean muscle mass if you must resort to these tactics.

Do you suggest having the protein and BCAA's after weight training and before the cardio workout.

Due to time I can only do cardio after weights but usually have my protein after both the weights and cardio have finished.