Hi, Im fairly new to bodybuilding, main focus is to put on weight, im 6,3 and weighted 180 pounds 3 weeks ago, as of today im at 185 and my workout are based strickly on compound exercises. and I train 4 times a week, and only train each muscle once a week.
My Dilema is this…I want to put more weight without having to sacrifice calories, so I tend to skip my cardio, I would assume this is a bad thing because your heart is not getting use to pumping more blood to the developing muscles.
Second, if this is the case, when would it be recommended to do my cardio seccions since, I at the moment think its bad to do it at the beginning of my workout because it would deplete my energy levels, and would leave me out of energy for my workout…or should I do it after my workout when im dead tired…or should I do it on my “off” days.
thanks in advance for those of you who replay, the word of the wise will be always appreciated by the young…
Unless you’re carrying around alot of excess fat or you really enjoy running, then you don’t have to do cardio. If you’re working hard enough at the gym, ie. moving enough weight and taking short enough rest break, your heart is getting plenty of exercise.
If you absolutely feel the need to go out and do cardio, then go out on your off days, but don’t go overboard. Running or cycling for a full hour while your pulse is 75% of max will most certainly impede muscle growth.
Also, this thread would probably be better off in the Beginners Forum instead of the Bodybuilding Forum.
My personal experience with gaining came best when I didn’t do cardio. Yeah you gain a little fat, but you’re building high quality mass!
If anything, walking is cardiovascular as well. take a 45 minute brisk walk or a speedwalk so you retain most of your muscle and still get your heart pumping pretty well.
A lot of people do on and off days with you’re style of training, so try that out for awhile and get in a good habit of walking/training.
Hope i helped.
-raymond
Also, your GH levels are higher when you do cardio AFTER a workout, not before.