I have a few questions about why you guys do what you do and if it effects the results you get. That doesn't make sense. Anyway, I tried a few searches and couldn't find what I was looking for, so here it is.

Lifting is obviously a big part of a weight loss program. However, I see people using and suggesting mostly diet and lifting, and some even skipping cardio all together. How does this affect (effect?) cardiovascular endurance? Not for running a marathon or anything. But do you get enough of a workout if you will in order to like help people move, or clean your house, or mow a huge lawn or whatever without becoming overly tired? I understand it helps make you bigger, but does it also help with endurance I guess.

2nd, for those of you who have bulked multiple times, and not for competition or anything. You already are very lean, and obviously look good if you have a decent amount of muscle on you. Why bulk again, just to get bigger? And I guess more importantly, for those of you who also play sports that require quickness and mobility (basketball, tennis, soccer, volleyball, whatever really) has it hindered your performance? I'm wanting to get in shape and look good and be healthy obviously, but does another 10-20-30lb of muscle accomplish that? Or does it make me bigger, while negatively impacting my ability to peform, for example I enjoy playing basketball several times a week and it is one of the reasons I am getting in shape, to maximize my potential there. I know it is a "whatever suits you best is best for you situation" but does 10 lb of muscle slow you down like 10 lbs of fat would?

I know, a lot of opinion type questions, but was looking to see what motivated you to do what you do if you fit in those categories so I could help define my goals and make sure I wasn't skipping something.

Thanks,

Jeff

Weight training will elevate your metabolism dramatically for days after lifting to repair and rebuild muscle, this is one reason many people skip cardio. Another is if they are looking for mass only, cardio is catabolic and therefor slows muscle growth too much.

My endurance has gone up a lot since I've lost weight and put on muscle, I haven't been one to do multiple bulking, but after just once, I did not see any performance loss. In fact, I got larger and my performance actually went up. Now I don't know if the same rules apply to football and basketball, but I do martial arts and while bulking I lost absolutly no endurance and my speed actually increased.

I didn't bulk incredibally large though so maybe the people who are in big bulking stages could be of a little more insight on that stage.

-Mimic

Lifting makes me very much stronger than I'd be if I didn't.

However, the cardio is where it's at for "wind" and heart health.
Personally, I get a heart workout when I do cleans, deads and squats.

But it's momentary comparitively. When I'm on the eliptical doing the program I designed for myself (sort of a prototype HIIT), I can get a sustained heart rate that I won't get with weights. And I'll be gasping for breath.

If yesterday was a back workout,generally today I wouldn't feel like helping anybody move.

I alternate the eliptical with kick-box cardio right now. I class this as an "endurance" workout.

But IMO this is where it gets tricky.

The whole weight thing for hypertrophy is about " progressive overload".

Too little, no growth. Too much, burnout and overtraining.

If you are a person that plays several sports weekly as well as weightlifts for hypertrophy, this puts you in a delicate position.

For instance....Monday morning you blast your legs and back with squats. Monday afternoon you play soccer. Tuesday you run 5 miles.
Wednesday you deadlift. Thursday you shoot hoops. Friday you squat again. Friday evening you play soccer again. Saturday you help Uncle Fred move. Sunday you go for a 2 hour up-hill hike with the wife and kids.

If you are 19 and genetically gifted you might be able to do the above.
But it would not be the optimal scenario.

If you are older and kept this routine up for awhile IMO sooner or later your knees are shot.

IMO you don't plan your life to fit the workout.....you plan the workout to fit your life.

It all comes down to what you want out of a program. A lot of people (myself included) aren't working out in order to be better at any sport. I hardly ever play any competitive sports at all. For me, it's all about looking good, feeling good, and the long term health benifits of being in shape. Now I also do a fair bit of cardio, but I imagine it would be pretty difficult to have a lot of lean mass and a low body fat percentage, and also get winded doing simple physical tasks.

I already do work it around my schedule. An I know it isn't optimal for muscle growth, but I know I wouldn't follow it if it stopped me from doing the other stuff I enjoy. But I could see doing a 8 week program or something where I focused solely on bulking or something. Just I'm not sure I'd gain any satisfaction out of it, so I was wondering why other folks did. Especially those who have done multiple bulks and were already low bf and muscular before the bulk.

And as far as cardio, I hate it and I guess was looking for a valid reason to leave it out. heh.

I already do work it around my schedule. An I know it isn't optimal for muscle growth, but I know I wouldn't follow it if it stopped me from doing the other stuff I enjoy. But I could see doing a 8 week program or something where I focused solely on bulking or something. Just I'm not sure I'd gain any satisfaction out of it, so I was wondering why other folks did. Especially those who have done multiple bulks and were already low bf and muscular before the bulk.

And as far as cardio, I hate it and I guess was looking for a valid reason to leave it out. heh.

I know in my case when I was heavier I was only interested in 1 thing: loosing fat. However, when you begin to get to a lower BF% you begin to realize the possibilities. So at this point in my journey I realize that I can pick a body (within reason) and go and get it through hard work, nutrition, and working out. In my case this will include a little bulking to get the body that I feel is my ideal image. It sounds like your ideal body is much leaner than my would be. I think this is fine as long as you are happy.

I too am not a fan of cardio expecially just for cardio sake. So I play sports. For instance, I joined a 4 on 4 flag football team to get a little bit of cardio in and have fun at the same time.

And as far as cardio, I hate it and I guess was looking for a valid reason to leave it out. heh.

I'm guessing the basketball pretty much covers this.