What's your opinion on Cardio during a mass cycle?

[averageJoe]

Hi guys

We all know that cardio is a must first thing in the morning and sometimes before bed when cutting but I'm reading many controversial opinions on cardio during mass/bulking cycles.

I'm currently 4 weeks in my first steroid cycle and my goal is to pack as much quality muscle as possible to appear fuller and more defined when it's time to diet down for summer again.
I'm currently 194 pounds, 5' 11" and around 12% bf.
I'm eating 5-6 meals a day that are very clean. Not perfectly clean but adequately...

Do you think I should start doing cardio during my mass cycle as well or should I wait till my mass cycle is over? I would be very interested to hear your opinions on this.

thanks a lot.

 

[Bob Smith]

Hi guys

We all know that cardio is a must first thing in the morning and sometimes before bed when cutting

What we all "know" is probably not accurate. Unless someone is less than ~7% bodyfat, the time of day someone does cardio will make virtually no difference in terms of results.

Do you think I should start doing cardio during my mass cycle as well or should I wait till my mass cycle is over? I would be very interested to hear your opinions on this.

Cardio during a mass phase is probably a good idea and wont effect your results at all. Now, were talking 2, maybe 3, cardio sessions per week at a moderate pace. No intervals and no really high intensity, long duration stuff. Just enough to keep your heart healthy and make it so you can walk around the mall without getting winded as you go up in weight.

 

[jsupstarz]

I do cardio on mass cycles with good results, but it is only 3-4 times a weeks @ moderate pace (NOT CRAZY) for max 30min.

 

[Reinheart]

I do cardio on mass cycles with good results, but it is only 3-4 times a weeks @ moderate pace (NOT CRAZY) for max 30min.

You need no other answer. Both guys are correct. Personally i would do cardio only twice but that's because i'm an ectomorph and i need all the calories i can get.

 

[Drea'An]

Do your cardio about 15- 20 minutes after your workout! I assure, this works!

 

[averageJoe]

Do your cardio about 15- 20 minutes after your workout! I assure, this works!

I don't know if that works for you but cardio after training never worked for me. After a heavy set I rush to get some carbs and protein.

Cardio during a mass phase is probably a good idea and wont effect your results at all. Now, were talking 2, maybe 3, cardio sessions per week at a moderate pace. No intervals and no really high intensity, long duration stuff. Just enough to keep your heart healthy and make it so you can walk around the mall without getting winded as you go up in weight.

Keeping a healthy heart is definately worth doing cardio a couple times a week.
I was talking about long sessions 4-5 times a week for more clean gains? so what you're saying is it won't help keeping the fat away at all ?

 

[Bob Smith]

I was talking about long sessions 4-5 times a week for more clean gains? so what you're saying is it won't help keeping the fat away at all ?

Its going to come down to calories in vs calories out. People often try to add muscle while cutting and its difficult and a very slow process. Do some cardio to stay healthy but just accept the fact that you will have to gain some fat while you add muscle. Or try something like the Ultimate Diet 2.0 modified for muscle gains.

 

[jsupstarz]

Its going to come down to calories in vs calories out. People often try to add muscle while cutting and its difficult and a very slow process. Do some cardio to stay healthy but just accept the fact that you will have to gain some fat while you add muscle. Or try something like the Ultimate Diet 2.0 modified for muscle gains.

Well building muscle and losing fat is like stepping up steps. Say you take two steps up, you have to take one step down. This makes the process not as fast as everyone would like. That's why having an awsome body takes YEARS AND YEARS to acheive. Unless you a genetic FREAK

 

[Thickneck]

In one of the old weider booksit said : Don't run if you can walk, Don't stand if you can sit, and don't sit if you can lay down. Or something like that , save all your energy for your workouts. I would keep it real moderate if you do some .

 

[Bob Smith]

In one of the old weider booksit said : Don't run if you can walk, Don't stand if you can sit, and don't sit if you can lay down. Or something like that , save all your energy for your workouts. I would keep it real moderate if you do some .

Weider and his advice is a complete joke. I dont know of anyone older than 16 who takes his information seriously.

 

[The Animal]

Well building muscle and losing fat is like stepping up steps. Say you take two steps up, you have to take one step down. This makes the process not as fast as everyone would like. That's why having an awsome body takes YEARS AND YEARS to acheive. Unless you a genetic FREAK[/QUOTE

I agree one hundred percent. Fortunately, I never gave cardio much thought what so ever but I would first establish a massive frame, and then later worry about lowering fat content.

 

[Blue09]

DO CARDIO! Don't do it to try and lose weight, do it to keep the heart healthy and circulation normal. It will HELP your gains. I never did cardio ... then I upped and started doing it. I feel 10x better day to day and my lifts actually went up. It wasn't a huge jump, but I felt stronger. I only run for 2miles max, but that's still good enough to get the job done, Hell, I'd say even a mile would be good.

 

[averageJoe]

I'm gonna start doing some low intensity cardio twice a week and see how it goes.

thanks again for the advice guys

 

[NPayette]

Do your cardio about 15- 20 minutes after your workout! I assure, this works!

I don't want to go against Drea'An but I actively recommend you to NOT do your cardio after or before your weight training. Split them appart by at least 5-6 hours.

I am doing cardio 3-4 times a week. 2 short duration HIIT (10-14 minute) and 2 moderate duration moderate pace (30minute)

I think that by doing cardio you also help your recovery and recuperation ability + overall endurance hence you may help yourself getting more out of your workout.

Now just don't do cardio on leg day and don't do high intensity cardio on empty stomach or before going to bed.

What I do is workout at 1h PM (weight training)... then I go at the gym again at 7h PM and do either light cardio, abs.

On my non workout day I go and may do HIIT if I feel energic enough to do it (and eat like a MOFO) or moderate cardio (and eat moderately around it).

Helps recovery and prevent adding too much unwanted bodyfat.

My 0.02 cent.

 

[Striated]

during bulking phases I have always found that 3 sessions a week at 30-40 minutes keeping your heart rate at 60-65% of your MHR (220-age) is plenty. Remeber too that growth is all about volume and getting that blood to fill those muscle bellies. Cardio helps with blod flow as well. If you monitor your food intake closely and your caloric output as well, you will have no problems.

p.s if you have any tren in your cycle ensure you monitor you heart rate closely during cardio sessions it is very easy to get that heart rate to high and risk losing valuable lean mass

 

[jsupstarz]

Listen Guys. Your Body Is Extremely Efficient. That Is Why Cardio Is A Horrible Way To Lose Fat. It Is Great For Your Heart And Stamina. Your Diet Is What Makes You Lose Fat Related To Your Lean Body Mass. Unfortunatley Many People Run For Hours A Day Hoping To Drop Those Extra Lbs. If You Eat Like Crap You Can Run All You Want But You Are Still Gonna Be Fat. The Best Way To Burn Fat Naturally Is To Have A High Lean Body Mass (muscles And Maintain Them)while Cutting Cals Back So Your Body Uses More Energy ThaN You Consume Per Day.

 

[Joe West]

cardio kicks up diffusion, so i cant see how it couldnt help.

 

[jsupstarz]

????????? ok. Cardio burns calories, but for the amount you would have to burn unless you didn't eat anything is quite large. the body is just too efficient to try to maintain high muscle mass and run all fuckin day.

 

[role model]

You asked: What's your opinion on Cardio during a mass cycle?

My opinion is that it depends on your % body fat. If your 13% or higher I would recommend some cardio. 12% or Under you must be careful about cardio. 10% or under NO WAY!

 

[apbt14]

I don't like doing cardio the days I am lifting. On my Cardio days I split it up 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 at night. I found it easier to do two good 15min bike rides or fast jogs with my dog than one long 30min bike or jog.