Hi Guys,

I'm feeling... icky... after eating so much food in the first week of my bulking program. I think I would probably like to do a cardio session...

Is there any reason NOT to do such a thing?

I would probably do an early morning empty-stomach thing, like one does when cutting.

cheers

coop

As long as you're eating enough calories to prevent muscle loss and promote muscle gain, cardio away. Just don't go overboard and be careful how instense you go since you'll be doing it fasted.

I think basically I'll do 5 day MAX-OT, and then a cardio session on saturday morning...

you gotta do cardio, it helps with circulation, which is very important when it comes to bulking, because the nutrients travel through your blood to get to your muscles (as with oxygen, and alot of other things) so doing cardio will help your bulking progress

i got a deep tissue massage a few days ago, although the lady said i was in very good shape, i had little circulation in my arms, a test she showed me, is to hold your thumb and index finger together in a circle at the tips (the "a-ok" symbol) now get someone to try and pull those fingers apart, you should be able to keep a tight grip, if the circle can be broken easily, it shows a lack of circulation in your arm(s)

you gotta do cardio, it helps with circulation, which is very important when it comes to bulking, because the nutrients travel through your blood to get to your muscles (as with oxygen, and alot of other things) so doing cardio will help your bulking progress

i got a deep tissue massage a few days ago, although the lady said i was in very good shape, i had little circulation in my arms, a test she showed me, is to hold your thumb and index finger together in a circle at the tips (the "a-ok" symbol) now get someone to try and pull those fingers apart, you should be able to keep a tight grip, if the circle can be broken easily, it shows a lack of circulation in your arm(s)I just tried that test on myself. I think I pass :D

I would do cardio, to aid in health and slow down fat gain. If you're feeling "icky" after bulking for a week you may be eating too much. I feel icky after eating like a pig for a week, but it's because I am eating too much :)

I couldn't imagine not doing cardio. I think the benefits to your overall health are far more immense than any possible small slowing of your bulking. If you are careful about heart rate and duration, then it should do little but help keep you healthy as well as make you eat more.

I agree w/ Deaf. I can't imagine not doing cardio either!
I hate when people have rules against cardio. Cardio activity is going to keep you heart and vascular system strong and healthy. I know so many people focus on physique, but you should not forget about your health. Cardio is going to benefit you in so many ways. Just make sure you are taking in enough kcal to protect the lean muscle mass you are trying to build and wear a HR monitor to stay in the proper THR zones for your goals.
Whether cutting or bulking, there is no reason why you should opt cardio out of your regimen.

I couldn't imagine not doing cardio. I think the benefits to your overall health are far more immense than any possible small slowing of your bulking. If you are careful about heart rate and duration, then it should do little but help keep you healthy as well as make you eat more.

I agree with you 100%. Unfortunately, so many people have this mindset that if you are bulking, you must stay away from all cardio or you can't increase size. Around here, that theory is not as common but on other message boards I post on, the majority insist upon no cardio for those who are bulking. I know everyone's different, but just take a look at John. Cardio, fasted in the AM, a few times a week and still making great progress bulking. There are many others with similar success.

I am making progress on my bulk despite massive amounts of cardio. It is not fasted cardio, but none the less, I am putting on weight at a rate that I am happy with while at the same time increasing my running speed, biking speed, and rowing speed. I just have to eat a ton to support it on top of my lifting to still be in excess calories. If I had to pick between being in great cardio shape or having a ripped physique... I would pick cardio. Fortunately you can have both. :eat: Have your cake and eat it too for once.

I am making progress on my bulk despite massive amounts of cardio. It is not fasted cardio, but none the less, I am putting on weight at a rate that I am happy with while at the same time increasing my running speed, biking speed, and rowing speed. I just have to eat a ton to support it on top of my lifting to still be in excess calories. If I had to pick between being in great cardio shape or having a ripped physique... I would pick cardio. Fortunately you can have both. :eat: Have your cake and eat it too for once.


Do you ever do cardio after lifting? I agree with the posts in general, but personally have 2 rules when trying to gain strength:

1) Never choose cardio over a scheduled lifting/strength training session
2) Never do cardio right after such a session, and preferably not until the moring after

Do you think I'm being too restrictive, or is this just in line with what people are saying here? I guess my feeling is that many people are trying to do cardio and lifting in the same session and this is what ilicits the 'no-cadio while bulking' response.

No, I never double up cardio and lifting. I will do them both on the same day occasionally, but then they are seperated by 7-8 hours and I eat more to make up for it. I do not do empty stomach cardio either right now. I always make sure I eat about an hour before hand to ensure I have a "full" glycogen load to burn.