Cardio or not?

[bsc14]

Just started working out with weights. I need to lose a little fat around the waist and I'm hoping to gain some muscle at the same time. Do I need to also do some kind of cardio? If so how often?

 

[Scotty the Body]

You don't NEED to do cardio, it will help though.

What is your diet like?
You can loose all the weight you want through proper diet without the use of any cardio.

 

[bsc14]

"What is your diet like?
You can loose all the weight you want through proper diet without the use of any cardio."

5-6 Small meals a day. I'm eating well I think. No I don't think I could lose much weight w/o some kind of activity. It would take a long / long time.

 

[Scotty the Body]

Me to bsc, I like to eat what I want to much so i do cardio 3 times a week in the mornings after my workout.
When i'm trying to loose weight, it do my cardio in the evening after my last meal and its worked very well for me.

However, you, me or anyone can do it just as well if we consume less than we burn, thats good clean food mind you.

I would suggest checking out the nutrition board for some meal plans.

 

[bsc14]

Hey thinks Scotty.

 

[Fit Freak]

You should always do some sort of cardiovascular work...even if yu're not cutting...IMO...for the many obvious health reasons. Just be sure to do so in moderation...say 30 minutes 3/week. Something like that. This should also work well with your goal to tone up. Remember that one of the advantages of cardio is improved oxygen delivery to working muscles....which should help you in the weight room...among other situations as well.

 

[Arnold]

I agree, a little cardio keeps the ole heart healthy, although I am guilty of rarely doing any, I hate cardio!

As far as getting lean, it can be done without cardio, but obviously doing cardio and burning extra calories will help expedite the fat burning process.

If I am "bulking" I pretty much avoid it all together for three reasons:

1.) I do not want to burn the extra calories.
2.) When I bulk I lift very heavy which puts a lot of strain on joints, especially knees and back, doing cardio just adds to the joint stress.
3.) I have always felt that cardio inhibits my leg growth. (assuming that the cardio will be running, biking, stairmaster, etc.)

 

[Fit Freak]

Point well taken Prince...if you're bulking and avoid "cardio" just make sure you incorporate some type of sustained cardiovascular work into your daily activities a few times a week....for the health benefits. Do something fun...but not intense....just don't be a coach potato that lifts weights....just my 2 cents

 

[firestorm]

I don't want to offend anyone here but this is my honest feeling regarding cardio work. I dislike when people say you don't need to do cardio. Last I heard was that the Heart was a muslce too!!!! Hey guys and gals,,, here we are doing everything right or at least attemting to. Were weight training to make our muscles stronger, we watch our diet to ensure we are getting the proper amount of vitamins, minerals, protein, carbs and fat. We take suppliments and possibly vitamins for the same reason. Yet we have guys saying you don't need Cardio training. Look at the name of that will ya???? CARDIO. CARDIO = HEART. Get it???? Why would you discount the one and only muscle of the body that works 24 hours a day 365 days a year???? SO THE ANSWER IS YES YOU NEED TO DO YOUR CARDIO TRAINING!!! IT IS MANDITORY IF YOU WANT TO BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE. IF HEALTH AND FITNESS IS YOUR GOAL,, CARDIO CAN NOT BE OVERLOOKED EVER!!!!!!! And yes to answer your original question,, Cardio will help you loose body fat. That is without a doubt a fact.

 

[firestorm]

Originally posted by Prince
obviously doing cardio and burning extra calories will help expedite the fat burning process.

TRUE: but it also alters your metabolism which also assists in weight reduction.

Originally posted by Prince

*) When I bulk I lift very heavy which puts a lot of strain on joints, especially knees and back, doing cardio just adds to the joint stress.

TRUE AND FALSE: There is low impact cardio excercises that can be done in place of the high impact excercises.

Originally posted by Prince

*) I have always felt that cardio inhibits my leg growth. (assuming that the cardio will be running, biking, stairmaster, etc.)

FALSE: Have you ever seen the calves on a road or mountain biker??? (HUGE) Or have you ever see the quads on those speed skaters??? Their off season training is road and or mountain biking. Biking like weights can assist in either bulking or cutting. If you ride in the lower gears (when peddles move faster), your doing more revolutions per minute and is similar to High rep low resistance training. cycling in higher gears less revolutions per minute and much higher resistence. You really have to pump it out and let me tell ya when I finish a serious climb my thighs are pumped to extremes, and on FIRE. I have never lost a bit of size during mountain bike season. In fact my legs grow during that period.

The above biking info does not relate to professional or serious road riders because their goal is to maintain a low bodyweight thus their training phylosopies are geared towards that body type.

( I hope disagreeing with you isn't going to get me banned !!!!)

 

[Arnold]

I do not think anyone said you do not need to do cardio or that should not do cardio.

What was said is that you can get lean without cardio. I went on to say that I find cardio counter productive when bulking.

 

[firestorm]

Prince I wasn't speaking of anyone that posted up to this point including you. I should have stated that more clearly. There are members here that are dead set AGAINST cardio in any shape or form. I was merely covering my azz for future posts. I did though post with you in mind as you probably see above. peace bro no offense intended.

 

[firestorm]

Prince here is proof that I wasnt referring to you. we do agree on the subject. I just an advocate for cardio training.
You said: I agree, a little cardio keeps the ole heart healthy
And to quote you even clearer you said: As far as getting lean, it can be done without cardio, BUT OBVIOUSLY DOING CARDIO AND BURNING EXTRA CALORIES WILL HELP EXPEDITE THE FAT BURNING PROCESS.
So there ya go pal,, I wasn't pointing any fingers at you. You are totally correct and we are on agreement on the subject.

 

[Scotty the Body]

Finger pointer J/K Fire

 

[firestorm]

Yea really Scotty I gotta be careful. I don't want to get BANNED from here too!!!! I try to word things as carefully as possible so not to offend anyone expecially Prince cause he has the POWER!!

 

[Arnold]

you have not offended me, actually I do not think I am easily offended.

 

[firestorm]

Well that is good to know Prince. I'd never want to offend anyone here. In fact, I thank you for allowing me to be here. Out of all the different places i've been on here this place is by far the best.

 

[Dero]

You're not...
After the things we have said to you,about you...
we are still here...
You da man Prince!!!



It's all about cardios.
Well,that's in my disipline!!!
Burn baby burn!!!

Then,you have another person,
it's NOT their thing!!!

We are all oh so different...