Mass = No Cardio ... Unhealthy?

[Legion Kreinak2]

Normally when trying to gain the most mass possible, it's said that little to no phyiscal activity should be done outside of the gym. Is this not unhealthy for the heart?

I've heard it would be better to (assuming on a 4-day strength training split with 3 rest days) do 25 minutes of cardio at a low to moderate intensity on each of those off days, to keep you in better cardiovascular condition. Would this be okay, or would it hinder gains too greatly?

 

[Legion Kreinak2]

Bump

 

[bigliftsCNU]

it is an old myth.... " i want to preserve as many calories as possible." i will do 20 mins of low-mod intensity of cardio maybe 2-3 times a week on those off days during the winter.. and step it up to mod-high intensity when tennis season rolls around.

i used to believe in that myth too.... its simply just not true, as long as you consume enough calories

 

[The Shadow]

A friend runs 4 miles 4 times per week.

Last night we were carrying some stuff up two flights of stairs and she was pretty winded. It didnt bother me at all....Now she is a cop and is in great looking shape.

She asked me why I wasn't winded....I think it is because even whem I am trying to gain...I always do 20 minutes 3 times per week on a treadmill...very moderate intensity.

I always train quickly though and do a higher reps scheme on leg day...I train one bodypart per day......

so.....I think you should always incorporate some sort of session in which you target heart rate is up...couls be 911 squats or cleans or cardio.

 

[Fatty4You]

Today i am gona start to do cardio cause I took prelim. measurments for DoggCrapp routine and it was depressing that my waist was 37.5 inches!!!!!! Damnit i am a fatty!!!

But i am gonna go to the gym and do some low-moderate intensity [fast walking ] while reading my fitness book.

-Fatty

 

[louden_swain]

It is very important to keep the heart healthy. I recommend at least 20 min. of cardio 3 days a week.

 

[Legion Kreinak2]

Would it be okay to do these on my off days, Louden? Considering I'll want to preserve as much energy on training days. And I train 4-days per week, so those 3-days off will be perfect for small intervals of cardio.

 

[T-Rage]

Cardio is critical even when trying to gain mass. If you speed up your cardio vascular system you speed up your metabolism. If you speed up your metabolism you can recover more quickly from hard workouts. Cardio helps to flush toxins from trained muscles and also provides much needed nutrients to the healing/growing muscles. Of course you don't need to go crazy in terms of intensity to get these benefits. After a back injury I was forced to start a walking program so I bought a treadmill. I walk 15 minutes every morning just to get the blood flowing at like 2.5 miles per hour. Then for cardio sessions at night I'll do 45 minutes at like 3 - 3.5 miles an hour (just walking) a few times a week. It has dramatically increased my healing and my limbs don't fall asleep at night while sleeping anymore. Also, before cardio my extremities always seemed cold. Thanks to the cardio my extremities are warmer (more efficient blood flow, etc).

 

[louden_swain]

Would it be okay to do these on my off days, Louden? Considering I'll want to preserve as much energy on training days. And I train 4-days per week, so those 3-days off will be perfect for small intervals of cardio.

I say this sounds reasonable. Sometimes your training session will leave you too exhausted to perform cardio. I hate performing cardio on training days .

I think cardio will enhance your recovery abilities, plus help maintain the health of your heart.

 

[bigliftsCNU]

Would it be okay to do these on my off days, Louden? Considering I'll want to preserve as much energy on training days. And I train 4-days per week, so those 3-days off will be perfect for small intervals of cardio.

yes.. that is a great time for it... low-mod intensity on those three days.. or maybe even have a day where you do nothing and do low intensity cardio after a training session one day... remember to keep your calorie level up