Cardio and/or LBM

[anthrax]

I know many of you (especiallly guys) avoid doing cardio when trying to gain weight (LBM) but....

why doing 2-3 cardio sessions a week (with 1-2 hours running) is couterproductive ? -the cardio not on weight days -

Is it catabolic ? yes, of course but you can eat huge amount of proteins....

[I don't want to burn fat, just to improve my cardio vascular system heart: ) and be able to run a half-marathon
On the other hand I am trying to gain LBM ]

So, why should you choose between cardio and gaining lean body mass

 

[new@gettinbig]

Cardio can be ok..but it is your weight training that is going to build the lean mass...and doing extensive cardio sessions will be shooting yourself in the foot if gaining lean mass is your goal. low-intensity sessions that are not as long in length or the HIIT sessions are also ok...but more than that you are going to get catabolic.

 

[Temple]

New... HIIT cardio? Do you mean like the 20 min sessions they talk about in the Body For Life Book??? Standard cardio for me is every other day, moderate intensity 45-60 min but there are days when time just does not allow and I am absolutely anal about staying on schedule...

 

[anthrax]

OK, thanks new@

but how do ultramarathoners train ? (since some of them are both muscular - not a skiny NY marathoner - and great runner) ?

 

[anthrax]

When you're trying to gain mass it's important to let your muscles recover/heal after you rip them. If you rip them and then go running for an hour (whether you're a great runner or not) you negate the recovery process which is also the GROWTH process.

too much cortisol I guess

Thanx Spats