Need help with CARDIO

[MrJosh]

BIO:
I have been lifting weights for 16 years, and I just turned 31.
Now, I am trying to get or remain tone, without putting on to much muscle.
I have a med/high metabolism......my workout sched consists of...........

MON-weights
TUE-cardio (AM basketball)
WED- cardio PM
THU-weights
FRI-cardio (AM basketball), as I have adapted my workout schedule with my work shcedule
SAT/SUN off


GOAL:
To get in Cardio shape, obtain & maintain lean muscle without bulking up.
Looking for a PM Cario routine to build endurance and stamina.

PROBLEM:
No matter if I am playing basketball, or in some type of cardio activity, my calf muscles always tend to tighten up even if I do stretch them repeatedly before my activity, causing me not to go 100% on my activity thus not acheiving my goal.

QUESTION:
Is it better to go longer on a treadmill at lower speeds, or a higher intensity for a short period of time?
Is the treadmill, swimming, precor or stairmaster the best tool for cardio?

NOTE:
If I use the treadmill, I find myself playing basketball a bit better noticing that I am not gasping for air, and if I do get winded, I have a quick recovery time regaining my breath which allows me to hustle and run a bit more than usual.

 

[cider303]

addressing your problem: I get calf cramps a lot. what has helped me is a calcium supplement (sometiems ill go with oj or just chew some tums) and club soda. dont ask me why or how it works because i dont know it just does. it was recommended to me by a member on this site and i still take a gulp of club soda before i do any long endurance work that requires me to do explosive movements (mostly basketball and football)