Do you need much cardio to gain muscle?
Discuss health issues related to fitness, exercise, sport etc. and other relevant topics.
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Re: Do you need much cardio to gain muscle?I'd say missing breakfast is bad for anyone, let alone somebody who wants to put on muscle mass. Make sure you're eating something substantial and healthy in the morning pal, otherwise you'll just end up snacking on stuff later in the day that will do nothing for your goals.(Original post by Ian80)
but with missing out breakfast (I know, I know, bad)
I have a similar body to you I think, I'm slightly smaller and slightly lighter, so basically I'm a skinny runt. Eating is the biggest challenge for me and I too will be trying to count calories and see how far off I am. Good luck with it all!Last edited by Converse Rocker; 03-08-2012 at 08:26. -
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Re: Do you need much cardio to gain muscle?Lol at some posters in this thread. You CAN do cardio and build muscle at the same time, just do weights sessions alongside your cardio ones and make sure you eat enough. Swimmers and rowers are normally pretty stacked with muscle, and 70-80% of their training is cardio. Of course JUST doing cardio isn't going to do much without some significant resistance training alongside it.
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Re: Do you need much cardio to gain muscle?wat??(Original post by Nichrome)
. Swimmers are normally pretty stacked with muscle -
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Re: Do you need much cardio to gain muscle?I think he was raising the point that swimmers (those in the Olympics particularly) do a huge amount of cardio but can still maintain a muscular physique. I know they aren't ridiculous but some give the impression that no cardio is possible if you want to build mass.(Original post by Danny.)
wat??
I think that's what he was getting at anyway, don't want to speak for him. -
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Re: Do you need much cardio to gain muscle?I know what he was getting at, most swimmers aren't "stacked with muscle" though. The sprinters can have a decent amount but the others aren't, because they don't need it.(Original post by Converse Rocker)
I think he was raising the point that swimmers (those in the Olympics particularly) do a huge amount of cardio but can still maintain a muscular physique. I know they aren't ridiculous but some give the impression that no cardio is possible if you want to build mass.
I think that's what he was getting at anyway, don't want to speak for him. -
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Re: Do you need much cardio to gain muscle?Lol. Ok, they have reasonably muscular physiques. Would that please you more, o arbiter of the male physique? My point still stands. You can still build muscle whilst doing cardio as part of your routine.(Original post by Danny.)
I know what he was getting at, most swimmers aren't "stacked with muscle" though. The sprinters can have a decent amount but the others aren't, because they don't need it. -
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Re: Do you need much cardio to gain muscle?He weighs 127lb for Gods sake. He should not be doing cardio.(Original post by Nichrome)
Lol. Ok, they have reasonably muscular physiques. Would that please you more, o arbiter of the male physique? My point still stands. You can still build muscle whilst doing cardio as part of your routine.
Op, sign up for my fitness pal, put in everything for a few days then link it here. -
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Re: Do you need much cardio to gain muscle?Oh I like this site, just put everything in for today. Just had dinner, I'm on about 2000 calories. Although I'm about to go out so that'll be topped up with quite a few liquid calories and probs a mcdo(Original post by RollerBall)
He weighs 127lb for Gods sake. He should not be doing cardio.
Op, sign up for my fitness pal, put in everything for a few days then link it here.
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Re: Do you need much cardio to gain muscle?Someone negged u lol(Original post by RollerBall)
He weighs 127lb for Gods sake. He should not be doing cardio.
Op, sign up for my fitness pal, put in everything for a few days then link it here.
I disagree. Doing cardio is always good because cardiovascular health is mightily important. Mix it up with weights. The op's main problem is not eating enough. -
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Re: Do you need much cardio to gain muscle?I assume he's early 20s at most and weighs in at 127lb, his cv system is fine. He can get fit when he's stronger than a 10 year old girl.(Original post by silent ninja)
Someone negged u lol
I disagree. Doing cardio is always good because cardiovascular health is mightily important. Mix it up with weights. The op's main problem is not eating enough.
Considering he's struggling to get in a normal amount of kcals if he tries to do cardio and weights (complete with ludicrous kcal requirements) he's going to flop. -
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Re: Do you need much cardio to gain muscle?Make sure you're getting in 130-150g+ protein as well. Liquid kcals are usually **** apart from milk so I don't even add them on mine.(Original post by Ian80)
Oh I like this site, just put everything in for today. Just had dinner, I'm on about 2000 calories. Although I'm about to go out so that'll be topped up with quite a few liquid calories and probs a mcdo
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Re: Do you need much cardio to gain muscle?I wouldn't say so. I have quite a bit of muscle mass from doing basic home exercises, though I have started doing a fair amount of walking recently to get rid of what's left of my spare tyre.
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Re: Do you need much cardio to gain muscle?I never disputed your point, I know it can be done, I'm doing it. Just you said swimmers are "stacked with muscle" and, well, they're not(Original post by Nichrome)
Lol. Ok, they have reasonably muscular physiques. Would that please you more, o arbiter of the male physique? My point still stands. You can still build muscle whilst doing cardio as part of your routine.
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Re: Do you need much cardio to gain muscle?Well, depends what your aims are. I think compared to the average population, i'm sure his CV system is fine but I'd say most people in the gym that do no/little cardio actually have a poor CV system. If you struggle to run a couple of miles at a decent pace, then you're simply unfit. Looking good aesthetically just isn't enough imo, but I guess it depends on your aims.(Original post by RollerBall)
I assume he's early 20s at most and weighs in at 127lb, his cv system is fine. He can get fit when he's stronger than a 10 year old girl.
Considering he's struggling to get in a normal amount of kcals if he tries to do cardio and weights (complete with ludicrous kcal requirements) he's going to flop.
My gym buddy actually lifts pretty much the same as me but his cardiovascular system is piss poor because he only does it once a week-- we run our local park and he's ready to pass out just after the 1 mile mark. Those fancy muscles are just for show-- better to have overall good health and this is the idea of moderation in everything.
But back to the topic. No, cardio won't necessarily help you build muscle mass but I do find it helps massively with recovery speeds (or at least that's my theory).Last edited by silent ninja; 04-08-2012 at 00:24.
