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Cardio exercise

Chris1980 Posts: 67 Joined: 2000/12/16	2001/10/23, 01:11 AM Guys, Lately I have been working out 4 days for actual anabolic exercise and the other 3 days for cardio. All the workouts are spaced out so they are not all put together. But I learned not too long ago that if I want to become big and be defined it's not a good idea to do so much cardio. But I must admit I do have a small amount of fat on the sides of my stomach that I want to get rid of. What am I to do, I want to gain weight and muscle but I don't want to gain anymore fat. Is doing cardio a good idea if I want to gain weight. Basically save the calories for muscle growth? I just don't know what to do.
jonpullen Posts: 72 Joined: 2001/07/26	2001/10/23, 04:47 AM I do my cardio straight after my weights and then eat loads of simple carbs when I get home. I've always heard that you can loose fat and gain muscle, but yea it makes me wonder sometimes.
ken30307 Posts: 51 Joined: 2001/10/16	2001/10/23, 07:09 AM Hey Chris, good question...the answer is to be patient. We all know that muscle burns more calories than fat (old professor used to say that muscle makes us a better butter burner). So gaining lean muscle mass is the best way to burn off that extra fat around your middle. This suggests that you migh want to cut back on your cardio to allow those calories to go to muscle building. BUT I have to admit that this hasn't been my strategy. Mostly I go back and forth between mass building and slimming down. Trying not to slim for more than 2 weeks at a time (to preserve lean muscle mass) but whenever you diet, some of the weight you loose (up to 1/2) is muscle. Something to think about. Good luck! -Ken
wakeb14 Posts: 40 Joined: 2001/07/03	2001/11/13, 07:03 AM cardio is still important, but not absolutley necessary if you want those results. i would say to do 20 minute cardio sessions (intense) which would burn more fat that calories if u were to do a longer cardio workout. do this 2-3 times a week and stick to your weights.
spanishgirl Posts: 157 Joined: 2001/06/06	2001/11/13, 09:43 PM Great question chris....been wondering the same thing... I think you have gotten some good advice here... Good Luck!