Cardio and Bulking

[rigger]

I know this question has been asked countless times and I have searched it and read many posts, and I still feel as unsure as I was before I read them. It seems that there are many different opinions on this topic and I just want to know if it's advisable or not. I understand to gain muscle you need a calorie surplus, but I really enjoy a good cardio workout, whether it's swimming or jogging for 20 minutes- I just feel great afterwards and I really feel like I'm pushing myself and it really gets the endorphins flowing.

I'm 22, male, 5'6 135-140lbs. I'm currently trying to bulk up and gain some muscle mass. Nothing too big, but I want to look nice and defined so I've been lifting four days a week. I'm two weeks into working out and I've been trying to incorporate cardio, but have learned that it may be disastrous to those trying to gain muscle. I am definitely gaining weight as my shirts and pants are getting tighter. My chest and midsection seems to be getting a little flubbier as well and I'm not really ok with that because I'm kind of self-conscious about it.

Is it ok to do cardio on my off days, even if it's a slow jog at like 5mph for 20 min?

 

[theCaptn']

People use bulking as an excuse to become fat lazy bastards.

Cardio on a bulk is fine, if you do fasted AM cardio for manybe 20-30min, it'll help keep excess fat gains at bay.

The golden rule is dont over do it, and, as you know keep your cals in surplus.

 

[lennoxchi]

the way i look at cardio while trying to gain mass is the same way i look at it when i'm cutting. there are two kinds of cardio, one is for fat gain and the other is to "tax" your heart and increase endurance. i do 2 days a week of the endurance training, that involves running. for me running is the best exercise to get my heart one step away from jumping out of my chest. now the other, which s/b utlized the most when bulking is low, intensity. keep your heart rate low and do it fasted, if possible, like j-pet said. ask yourself before doing cardio, what do i want to get out of this session? am i looking to increase my endurance and give my heart a good workout or am i looking to lose fat

 

[rigger]

Hahaha thanks. Morning jogs are now in session.

 

[Gazhole]

Cardio is necessary for heart and lunge health. You can't lift weights if you're out of breath, especially with more muscle mass than you're used to.

Remember not to go overboard though, you need the calories, and you need the rest. 10-20 minutes a few days a week is just fine.

Remember to leave 1 or 2 days a week of COMPLETE rest, aswell.

 

[nd2bhge]

20 min at low intensity