Go nuts....

What are the benefits/pitfalls to doing cardio (sprints, circuits etc) to the point at which you're gasping for air and your lungs are burning?
In short, am I safe to just go hell-for-leather on my cardio sessions, or is it wiser to tone it down a bit?
Used to.. DL:375lb, Sqt:335lb, Bnch:260lb
Now... Weak as a kitten, but fighting back.
Age:38. Trained 11/06-12/09. Feet surgeries & hip problems:12/09-12/11. Fighting back:12/11+. New Training Journal and Food Log.
Go nuts....
I do my best to focus on the task at hand, and give 100% in what I'm doing at the time. Nothing else matters except the task at hand.

Awesome. Love it!
I'd heard of people having heart attacks playing squash (kind-of like racketball) so I figured I'd better ask.
I have been going nuts with my current circuit training cardio workout. And it's fun too.![]()
Used to.. DL:375lb, Sqt:335lb, Bnch:260lb
Now... Weak as a kitten, but fighting back.
Age:38. Trained 11/06-12/09. Feet surgeries & hip problems:12/09-12/11. Fighting back:12/11+. New Training Journal and Food Log.
Yeah man, just go to the limit. If you feel you're heart can take it, just push it very hard. Make sure you are properly hydrated, and I've noticed cold weather is rather harsh on the lungs. All in all, if you are sure you can take it, go for it.
I do my best to focus on the task at hand, and give 100% in what I'm doing at the time. Nothing else matters except the task at hand.

Understand that cold air. I've been in Ohio for 9years now. Hate the cold. Insulated and heated my garage 3 years ago. Absolute blessing. Bought elliptical trainer for $50 on craiglist. On the lookout for a cheap rowing machine to throw in there too. Bust-ass cardio all winter long this year.![]()
Used to.. DL:375lb, Sqt:335lb, Bnch:260lb
Now... Weak as a kitten, but fighting back.
Age:38. Trained 11/06-12/09. Feet surgeries & hip problems:12/09-12/11. Fighting back:12/11+. New Training Journal and Food Log.
in the cold weather 3 sets of 30 sec max level sprints bike give me asthma. lol so much for that idea
wow
Optimum Sports Performance
"In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, in the experts there are few."
-Buddha's Little Instruction Book
I'm amazed that you all think it is okay to just go "balls to the wall" on cardio everytime you train.
Lets think this through:
a) training is stress
b) maximum effort is a huge amount of stress (being it weight training or running).
c) high amounts of stress cause the body to breakdown and sufficient recovery is needed.
d) you would not go into the gym and max out on squats every day.
e) a marathon runner does not run a marathon everytime they train.
f) A 100-meter sprinter does not run full speed 100 meters everytime they train.
g) why would you think it is okay to just trash your body like that every time you do cardio and not suffer some negative consequences down the line?
Optimum Sports Performance
"In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, in the experts there are few."
-Buddha's Little Instruction Book
oh and yes, Ohio winters suck ass.....I used to go out and run in the freezing cold when I was growing up out there.....20 degrees and I would be in a pair of running pants, two sweatshirts, a winter cap and gloves....out there running 3-5miles at 6am.
Optimum Sports Performance
"In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, in the experts there are few."
-Buddha's Little Instruction Book
Agreed, but I don't think anyone mentioned "evertime" you train cardio.
Personally, if I did 3 cardio session a week, I'd keep it to:
1 x HIIT
1 x 5-10 mile run (slow)
1 x 3 mile fast run
With a day off inbetween to rest. I've not been injured yet, and it's not interfered with lifting.

Plan for one balls-out/go-nuts circuit training session and one 3mile run (slow-med, over the weekend). That's all.
Oh! Plus 3 weight training sessions.
So, to recap...
Not running marathon - at all! (check)
Not maxing out on squats every day (check)
Not full speed 100 meters sprint every session (check)
Not trashing body every time (check)
Sufficient recovery between cardio (check)
Ohio winters still sucking big-time ass (checkity check check).
Hmm......
Used to.. DL:375lb, Sqt:335lb, Bnch:260lb
Now... Weak as a kitten, but fighting back.
Age:38. Trained 11/06-12/09. Feet surgeries & hip problems:12/09-12/11. Fighting back:12/11+. New Training Journal and Food Log.


I don't see why you'd want to do that much cardio (as in your first post) if your trying to bulk anyway. eh.
DRSE Reconnaissance
I do my best to focus on the task at hand, and give 100% in what I'm doing at the time. Nothing else matters except the task at hand.

I read Extreme Muscle Enhancement and it said ectomorphs with crazy-quick metabolisms (trying to bulk) needn't bother with cardio; just eat lift and sleep.
I was kind-of surprised about that so I came on here and posted it as a question. I'm pretty sure it was p-funk (CowPimp, maybe?) that said something along the lines of "Anyone who recommends no cardio is a fucking moron" so I figured I'd add 30-35minutes cardio once or twice a week.
Since running is so boring and, as I understand it, not exactly conducive to bulking legs, I figured I'd make a little circuit training workout that utilized all the cardio equipment at my gym. This way it wouldn't be bored, could improve my cardio-vascular system and have fun at the same time.
Now 30-35minutes cardio once or twice a week is too much?
Really?
Used to.. DL:375lb, Sqt:335lb, Bnch:260lb
Now... Weak as a kitten, but fighting back.
Age:38. Trained 11/06-12/09. Feet surgeries & hip problems:12/09-12/11. Fighting back:12/11+. New Training Journal and Food Log.
I do 20 min intense cardio sessions 2-3 times a week.
by far the most productive cardio Ive ever done.
"Show me a beautiful woman, and I'll show you a guy tired of screwing her"
"Show me a beautiful woman, and I'll show you a guy tired of screwing her"

I'm currently reading Scrawny To Brawny (which is an excellent book for ectomorphs) and it recommends two 15minute sessions weekly.
I wonder if I should scale the 35min circuit training workout that I do to 15miuntes, done twice, instead.
Used to.. DL:375lb, Sqt:335lb, Bnch:260lb
Now... Weak as a kitten, but fighting back.
Age:38. Trained 11/06-12/09. Feet surgeries & hip problems:12/09-12/11. Fighting back:12/11+. New Training Journal and Food Log.

Your heart is the most important muscle in the body. It would not be wise to ignore all cardio simply because you are trying to gain weight. Just eat a little more to make up the difference.
Then again, I am an endomorph, so i can run until I hock up a lung and still gain weight if I want to.
“I used to do drugs. I still do drugs. But I used to, too.”