To Cardio or not to Cardio

[tgzerozone]

hi everyone,

OK, so I finally did my fat caliper test and it maxes out at an average of 7%. I obviously over-estimated when I said I thought it was about 18% in another topic. Most of it is sitting on the Abdominal's with about 16% (My over estimation was just wondering about the bit of excess on my belly it seems).

Big question is, I am embarking on a mass gain program and was wondering whether I should do Cardio or not to bother at this stage. I'm leaning towards the not-bothering at this point.

Currently I am:

Lenght: 1.76 m

Weight: 67 kg

Age: 33

[Phedder]

Depends how fit and healthy you want to be :wink:

[tgzerozone]

aha,

Yes, well I have no reason running anywhere, I have a car. . Other than that, I do a bit of spearfishing/freediving every second week. Really not looking at getting fit, as in being able to run 10 km's without breathing heavy. Solely looking at bulking up.

Health wise, Have a nice balanced diet worked out, currently sitting at 3500 Cals per day, 7 meals.

I have absolutely no issue doing cardio, I just don't think with the low fat % that I should do that now, as it might impact my bulking. Could always introduce it later when needed I imagine? Would like to cut the belly fat down though, but guess I'll see how that works out.

[Phedder]

Really not looking at getting fit, as in being able to run 10 km's without breathing heavy. Solely looking at bulking up.

I'm not talking about getting fitter, more maintaining your current fitness.

Adding extra weight for you body to carry, and not doing any cardio work is a recipe for ending up a panting mess 4-5 months down the track. You'll be more muscular and stronger, but unfit and slow. It's no fun realising what was once easy for you, is now near impossible Been there, didn't like it.

The diving is good, but even that would suffer if you gained much weight and let your cardio endurance suffer. More muscle needing oxygen + decreased ability to take in and utilise oxygen = much less time under water per breath.

Diet has a lot to do with health, but there's nothing better for your heart and circulatory system than cardio.

Would like to cut the belly fat down though, but guess I'll see how that works out.

At supposedly 6% bodyfat, I don't see how you could really have any excess belly fat :-s Unless you were formerly overweight and have some loose skin?

Anyway my point is I'd still think it's a good idea to include 1-2 cardio sessions a week, just to maintain your fitness and for health reasons. However you do that would be up to you of course, maybe jog 1 day and do some sprints on another. Wouldn't be hard to eat an extra 300 calories or so on those days to offset the extra expenditure if you're worried about slowing your bulking progress.

[tgzerozone]

Thanks mate, Very nice informative post.

Yup, haven't been overweight, been underweight actually at about 55 kg a year ago. Problem is I just started eating more and not really exercising (Did have a short time of hard physical work helping a mate out at nights though for a few months) which means that most of the bits that I gained went to my abs. I have about 16% fat on the abs, with most of the rest of my skinfold measurements equaling about 2 and 3 mm (4.5 % as far as I understand)

Note that I made a little calculation mistake on my first post (Will edit this now), Average is 7% fat with 16 % on the abdominal area. Apologies for that confusion.

[tgzerozone]

Another thing is the Hip measurement is 3 mm (4.5 %) while next to the naval is 12 mm (15.7 %). Bit of a difference there. Thought it would be close.

[JDS-666]

Do Sprints 50-100m or hill sprints immediately followed by squat and tuck jumps, burpees, spiderman climbs etc

Skipping is also great.

[BIGKIWI]

Always do cardio minimum 3 x 40 per week up to 5 x if want to have some lean as muscle as well as eat more, speed up muscle growth and find it easier to get get ready for shows

[tgzerozone]

All good. Thanks for the advice guys!