Cardio 'til your lungs collapse... well almost.

[Big G]

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?

 

[Uthinkso]

Go nuts....

 

[Big G]

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.

 

[goob]

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.

 

[Uthinkso]

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 live in Michigan, so this time of year it gets to the low 40s at night. I avoid running outside this time, of year because my lungs have a tendency to burn and I cough up all sorts of nasty shit. Love that Detroit air, the world gets the automobile we get smog.

 

[Big G]

I live in Michigan, so this time of year it gets to the low 40s at night. I avoid running outside this time, of year because my lungs have a tendency to burn and I cough up all sorts of nasty shit. Love that Detroit air, the world gets the automobile we get smog.

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.

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.

 

[Mystik]

in the cold weather 3 sets of 30 sec max level sprints bike give me asthma. lol so much for that idea

 

[P-funk]

wow

 

[Uthinkso]

wow

Amazed by our intellect, or sharing our distane for cold weather? After all you are an Ohio native are you not?

 

[P-funk]

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?

 

[P-funk]

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.

 

[goob]

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?

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.

 

[Uthinkso]

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.

You just described my wardrobe this morning except I was wearing one sweatshirt.

 

[Big G]

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... ...

 

[vortrit]

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.

 

[Uthinkso]

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.

If your trying to bulk....yeah you did post that now that I think of it. Make up your melon.

IF you are wanting to lose fat and lots of it, an intense cardio regimine makes sense, not so much if your looking to bulk.

 

[PreMier]

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.

i dont believe you

 

[Vieope]

i dont believe you

 

[Big G]

If your trying to bulk....yeah you did post that now that I think of it. Make up your melon.

IF you are wanting to lose fat and lots of it, an intense cardio regimine makes sense, not so much if your looking to bulk.

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?

 

[camarosuper6]

I do 20 min intense cardio sessions 2-3 times a week.


by far the most productive cardio Ive ever done.

 

[camarosuper6]

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?

Thats what I like about PEE funk and cow, they are well rounded trainers.

Aerobic activity is plain ol good for your health and mental wellbeing.

Regardless of what you read, 1-2 sessions of aerobics done properly is NOT going to strip you of gobs of muscle.

 

[Big G]

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.

 

[Matt Taylor]

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?

I don't think what you are doing is called cardio. It sounds more like interval exercises which is AWESOME for your body, controlling metabolism and the heart.

You only hear about all the joggers dying of heart attacks. NOT the sprinters...

 

[KelJu]

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.

 

[Elson]

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.

exactly what i would said..i know what you mean b/c i also have a metabolism like a ferrari...i never ignore cardio even if i do it once a week for about 20 mins