Is spin class cardio catabolic?

[tomsammce]

Did spin class at my gym this morning... U all probably think that's gay... But if u aren't a laxy c*nt and push yourself by not easing the tension off when it gets hard, it's actually fucken hard!

Anyone use this in their pre comp lead ups?

If not, why not?

[BarBrother]

I used spinning classes for 8 weeks when going from PL to rugby at the end of last year to improve my muscles conditioning and anaerobic threshold. Worked a treat!. Was the best thing to improve muscular conditioning of the lower body. Hard if you can push yourself past the pain barrieir

[Pete_S]

Did spin class at my gym this morning... U all probably think that's gay... But if u aren't a laxy c*nt and push yourself by not easing the tension off when it gets hard, it's actually fucken hard!

Anyone use this in their pre comp lead ups?

If not, why not?

It's too catabolic....

[tomsammce]

Did spin class at my gym this morning... U all probably think that's gay... But if u aren't a laxy c*nt and push yourself by not easing the tension off when it gets hard, it's actually fucken hard!

Anyone use this in their pre comp lead ups?

If not, why not?

It's too catabolic....

hardly.. it only goes for 55mins. How would it be catabolic especially for a gear user like yourself and I.

Too precious mate.

[musclenz]

Did spin class at my gym this morning... U all probably think that's gay... But if u aren't a laxy c*nt and push yourself by not easing the tension off when it gets hard, it's actually fucken hard!

Anyone use this in their pre comp lead ups?

If not, why not?

It's too catabolic....

hardly.. it only goes for 55mins. How would it be catabolic especially for a gear user like yourself and I.

Too precious mate.

Its a bit of a fallacy the high intensity cardio is catabolic to muscle. There's studies out that show the effects of muscle depletion during high levels of CV work is minimal & can be negated by nutrition & supps in most cases. The body typically uses every energy resource before resorting to muscle cells.

[eddie]

Have to say tom your really do come across as real know it all prick, who cant take advice from people that even know what they are talking about, dont know pete s but agree with him to much cardio is catabolic infact if you need to do all that cardio then your diet is shit, so i say no more advice for tom let him do it his own way cause tom knows best good luck to you.

[trainlikeafreak]

Have to say tom your really do come across as real know it all prick, who cant take advice from people that even know what they are talking about, dont know pete s but agree with him to much cardio is catabolic infact if you need to do all that cardio then your diet is shit, so i say no more advice for tom let him do it his own way cause tom knows best good luck to you.

shows how much you know mate. cardio is a good tool because by doing cardio it means you can eat more and the more your eating when preparing for a show or whatever the better - you'll keep a lot more size then you would starving yourself..not to mention increased metabolism etc..

[nate225]

Have to say tom your really do come across as real know it all prick, who cant take advice from people that even know what they are talking about, dont know pete s but agree with him to much cardio is catabolic infact if you need to do all that cardio then your diet is shit, so i say no more advice for tom let him do it his own way cause tom knows best good luck to you.

shows how much you know mate. cardio is a good tool because by doing cardio it means you can eat more and the more your eating when preparing for a show or whatever the better - you'll keep a lot more size then you would starving yourself..not to mention increased metabolism etc..

Having seen Eddie compete a number of times (over the course of 16 years) I'm sure he's very aware of the balance between cardio & calories considering the condition he achieves on stage.

Some might use your approach trainlikeafreak others may use Eddies. One guy that placed 2nd in a Chch show (to an Australian freak!!) did NO cardio at all leading up to his show. His condition & size would've beaten most on stage in NZL that year.

[I Declare War]

Have to say tom your really do come across as real know it all prick, who cant take advice from people that even know what they are talking about, dont know pete s but agree with him to much cardio is catabolic infact if you need to do all that cardio then your diet is shit, so i say no more advice for tom let him do it his own way cause tom knows best good luck to you.

shows how much you know mate. cardio is a good tool because by doing cardio it means you can eat more and the more your eating when preparing for a show or whatever the better - you'll keep a lot more size then you would starving yourself..not to mention increased metabolism etc..

My 0.5c.

When I'm in serious bodybuilder mode I do low intensity cardio only. I walk briskly or cycle on a relatively high setting with low RPM.

Spin classes are high rpm aren't they or can you choose? No idea, sorry for the ignorance. I believe doing high rpm cycling for long periods or running is counter productive to bodybuilding. Training like that works your fast-twich muscle fibres doesn't it? To me that's an adaptation (change to my muscular physiology) that I do not want to induce.

Please correct me if I'm wrong?

[HarryB]

Have to say tom your really do come across as real know it all prick, who cant take advice from people that even know what they are talking about, dont know pete s but agree with him to much cardio is catabolic infact if you need to do all that cardio then your diet is shit, so i say no more advice for tom let him do it his own way cause tom knows best good luck to you.

shows how much you know mate. cardio is a good tool because by doing cardio it means you can eat more and the more your eating when preparing for a show or whatever the better - you'll keep a lot more size then you would starving yourself..not to mention increased metabolism etc..

My 0.5c.

When I'm in serious bodybuilder mode I do low intensity cardio only. I walk briskly or cycle on a relatively high setting with low RPM.

Spin classes are high rpm aren't they or can you choose? No idea, sorry for the ignorance. I believe doing high rpm cycling for long periods or running is counter productive to bodybuilding. Training like that works your fast-twich muscle fibres doesn't it? To me that's an adaptation (change to my muscular physiology) that I do not want to induce.

Please correct me if I'm wrong?

For bodybuilding 55 mins of super high intensity cardio every day or every other day might be counter productive just because it would over time drain you glycogen stores etc etc etc but if you eating enough food and taking enough gear then your recovery should be adequate, not optimal, but adequate. 20 to 30 mins high intensity 3 or 4/week is awesome though and doesn't deplete your body or nervous system to a great extent yet still gives you enough of a kick to increase cardiovasular ability (my god a fit bodybuilder) and increase your metabolic efficiency allowing you to process foods more effectively etc etc etc

[I Declare War]

Sounds like you're thinking along the same lines. Nothing there I'd argue with. Thanks Harry.

[Riccardo]

Like MNZ said cardio is not as catabolic as you think, your body doesn't like using protein as a fuel source. Plus I don't think Tom is dieting for a comp so the debate over cardio is irrelevant. Not to mention CV training is good for your overall health, sure you can get to 6% without cardio but at what cost?

good luck with your heart attack goals of 2012.

IDW depends what kind of cardio, aerobic exercise works mostly type 1 slow twitch fibers. The quads are comprised of mostly type 1 fibers any way. hamstrings are mostly type 2 (fast twitch).

[I Declare War]

Like MNZ said cardio is not as catabolic as you think, your body doesn't like using protein as a fuel source. Plus I don't think Tom is dieting for a comp so the debate over cardio is irrelevant. Not to mention CV training is good for your overall health, sure you can get to 6% without cardio but at what cost?

good luck with your heart attack goals of 2012.

IDW depends what kind of cardio, aerobic exercise works mostly type 1 slow twitch fibers. The quads are comprised of mostly type 1 fibers any way. hamstrings are mostly type 2 (fast twitch).

Ah right. Thanks Riccardo. My lingo may be off but my reasoning is sound.

Basically what I'm saying is when weight training you don't go mental for half an hour repping the bar or pushing the sled on the leg press. In my opinion if you want to maximise your bodybuilding potential you want your cardio sessions to be as low intensity as possible while still giving your heart a good workout. You don't want to induce the physiological change that comes about by doing high rpm cardio.

[eddie]

Just for the record the only cardio i done all last year was walk the dog thats right walk not jog not run walk and have done test on my heart at the hospital lately they said i was the most fit and healthy heart they has seen in ages.

[soundsgood]

I just measured in at 8% BF today. I've been cutting doing no other cardio other than the odd walk around the block (much like Eddie). I'm hoping I can push it as far as I can without adding cardio in because I don't feel as depleted as when I do excessive cardio and my weight trains still retain their intensity and strength. Sure I'd like to be eating more but I'm not losing any lean mass, in fact I've put on 200g over the last 2 weeks while dropping 2kg fat.

I'm hoping I can get down to around 5% before I start adding it in and use it to drop me right down to 3%.

Thanks for giving me hope Eddie

[HarryB]

I just measured in at 8% BF today. I've been cutting doing no other cardio other than the odd walk around the block (much like Eddie). I'm hoping I can push it as far as I can without adding cardio in because I don't feel as depleted as when I do excessive cardio and my weight trains still retain their intensity and strength. Sure I'd like to be eating more but I'm not losing any lean mass, in fact I've put on 200g over the last 2 weeks while dropping 2kg fat.

I'm hoping I can get down to around 5% before I start adding it in and use it to drop me right down to 3%.

Thanks for giving me hope Eddie

With the right diet you don't need to do much of any kind of cardio... Tom doesn't do cardio to get leaner though, he wants to be a crossfit machine.. just one that runs on super oil not vegetable juice lol

[tinytraps]

Like MNZ said cardio is not as catabolic as you think, your body doesn't like using protein as a fuel source. Plus I don't think Tom is dieting for a comp so the debate over cardio is irrelevant. Not to mention CV training is good for your overall health, sure you can get to 6% without cardio but at what cost?

good luck with your heart attack goals of 2012.

IDW depends what kind of cardio, aerobic exercise works mostly type 1 slow twitch fibers. The quads are comprised of mostly type 1 fibers any way. hamstrings are mostly type 2 (fast twitch).

Ah right. Thanks Riccardo. My lingo may be off but my reasoning is sound.

Basically what I'm saying is when weight training you don't go mental for half an hour repping the bar or pushing the sled on the leg press. In my opinion if you want to maximise your bodybuilding potential you want your cardio sessions to be as low intensity as possible while still giving your heart a good workout. You don't want to induce the physiological change that comes about by doing high rpm cardio.

Marathon runners train low intensity cardio for longer times. Sprinters do high intensity bursts. Why would someone who wants to look like a bodybuilder do anything like a marathon runner?

[I Declare War]

Like MNZ said cardio is not as catabolic as you think, your body doesn't like using protein as a fuel source. Plus I don't think Tom is dieting for a comp so the debate over cardio is irrelevant. Not to mention CV training is good for your overall health, sure you can get to 6% without cardio but at what cost?

good luck with your heart attack goals of 2012.

IDW depends what kind of cardio, aerobic exercise works mostly type 1 slow twitch fibers. The quads are comprised of mostly type 1 fibers any way. hamstrings are mostly type 2 (fast twitch).

Ah right. Thanks Riccardo. My lingo may be off but my reasoning is sound.

Basically what I'm saying is when weight training you don't go mental for half an hour repping the bar or pushing the sled on the leg press. In my opinion if you want to maximise your bodybuilding potential you want your cardio sessions to be as low intensity as possible while still giving your heart a good workout. You don't want to induce the physiological change that comes about by doing high rpm cardio.

Marathon runners train low intensity cardio for longer times. Sprinters do high intensity bursts. Why would someone who wants to look like a bodybuilder do anything like a marathon runner?

What?!

I think you do not understand this conversation.

I said, I think the best way for a bodybuilder to do cardio (if he is going to) is to walk briskly or hop on a stationary bike doing a similar low intensity with low RPM.

I'm in agreement with Eddie and Soundsgood. Are you arguing with them as well or was my argument not clear?

What would you have a bodybuilder do for cardio tinytraps?

[Riccardo]

Im with tiny traps on this one, There have been studies done showing that HIIT burns no more muscle than low intensity cardio, in fact the hormonal response to this type of training would appear to favor muscle growth and this type of training leads to an increase in activity in Type II muscle fibers (fast twitch), which are larger.

HIIT has a greater fat burning effect and the thinking that it eats in to your muscle is ill founded. Especially when you are talking about guys who are on the gear.

Having said that I can see why bodybuilders prefer low intensity cardio leading up to a show, 1. it doesn't use as much calories and the ones it uses are proportional to the length of time of the exercise. This makes it easier to gauge the amount you are burning.

2. It isn't as taxing which means its easier to get done when you are close to a show and depleted/tired/etc.

[Bobsta]

If your goal is extreme fat loss whilst retaining as much muscle as possible, do the least amount of work needed to get the job done. That means either no cardio or very limited and low intensity.

The more cardio you do or the higher the intensity the fitter you get, the fitter you get the more you have to do to get the same job done when it comes to fat loss!! A very unfit might burn 200 calories just walking from the front porch to the car :pfft: but the fitter he/she gets the calories they will burn doing the same activity hence needing to increase duration or intensity.

I dont care what the studies show when it comes to high intensity cardio sessions(sprinting etc) and yes the average person might even gain a bit of muscle from doing them but a hardcore bodybuilder that already have exauhsted every avenue of building muscle is not going to get anything from high intensity stuff other than getting to tired to give their weight training justice.

I get my clients do high intensity stuff all the time but they're not hard core bodybuilders and their lifestyle hasnt been geared towards gaining and retaining as much muscle as the possibly can. And they dont need to get to extreme low levels of bodyfat and therfore high intensity cardio is a great option for them.

It looks like Tom is trying to be a super fit and strong machine and to do that he does what he does.

I never did any cardio myself for my comp and never used any fat burners as im too sensitive to stimulants (read pussy) although I dont recomend no cardio to others as I think a little bit of regular cardio is important to keep the heart healthy and helps everything to work a little better.

High intensity or low?? you dont need high to lose fat but if you want to be super fit or have very limited time for training then its the way to go.

[Riccardo]

Like I said I can completely see why bodybuilders prepping for a comp use low intensity cardio, but what i was getting at is the mantra that 'high intensity cardio burns away all your hard earned muscle' is bollocks.

[Bobsta]

Like I said I can completely see why bodybuilders prepping for a comp use low intensity cardio, but what i was getting at is the mantra that 'high intensity cardio burns away all your hard earned muscle' is bollocks.

Agreed, fully. As long as we remember that a hard training bodybuilder doing high intensity cardio and subsequently too shagged to do their weight's session would be counter productive.

The key is decide what you want to do, to be, to achieve and then do just that. A lot of people are too confused and take a little bit of this from powerlifters, a little a bit of that from sprinters, a sprinkle of this from bodybuilders and a dash of that from crossfitters, then try to be jack of all trades and a tad confused!!

[Chillicat]

Did spin class at my gym this morning... U all probably think that's gay...

Meh, if it's good enough for Hosea Gear and the Sth African rugby team, who I've seen doing it at my gym, then it's all good :nod:

No idea about if it's any good for BB-ing or not though, so I'll leave the rest of you to nut it out between yourselves.

[Mike Zero]

The more cardio you do or the higher the intensity the fitter you get, the fitter you get the more you have to do to get the same job done when it comes to fat loss!! A very unfit might burn 200 calories just walking from the front porch to the car :pfft: but the fitter he/she gets the calories they will burn doing the same activity hence needing to increase duration or intensity.

Is there truth to this? I would have thought that fitness wouldn't affect your BMR. You're still burning the same amount of energy in day-to-day activity (assuming bodyweight is the same) as you're moving the same amount of mass and body temp is always self regulated. The main difference is your heartrate will be lower, but that is only because your heart is contracting less frequently and more forcefully, but still doing the same job, right?

[Bobsta]

Did spin class at my gym this morning... U all probably think that's gay...

Meh, if it's good enough for Hosea Gear and the Sth African rugby team, who I've seen doing it at my gym, then it's all good :nod:

No idea about if it's any good for BB-ing or not though, so I'll leave the rest of you to nut it out between yourselves.

Thats all good Chillicat, but thats exactly what I was referring to!! You've seen the rugby team do it so its gotta be good! Are you a high level rugby player? or even do they do it regularly?

In this case I think it would be allright for you but far too many people do somthing because so and so does it and then go and do somthing else cuz someone else did that!