CARDIO for bodybuilders? if so how much/what intensity

[SouthernLord]

This is exactly what i am talking about. Low intensity half assed cardio on days off, lol. Just something to get your heart going on days you don't work out. It is called active recovery. A few years ago i was doing a very physical job and was walking around doing labor all day and went to workout right when i was done and i made some pretty damn good gains AND stayed lean. Maybe i am a freak, who knows but cardio helps IMO. I used to be one that said no cardio at all, its gonna burn precious calories and make you lose muscle but after some thinking over the years i am leaning the other way.

My job isn't very physical and my body would love to be 175 pounds and skinny-fat. The low intensity cardio (3.5 mph and 8-12 degree incline) helps me stay reasonably lean while bulking. I'm squatting every workout so it helps flush the toxins from my lower body too.

 

[Self-Inflicted]

Now what if our aspirations aren't to be a body builder and to just have an athletic look? Is cardio still out of the question? I'm 205 lbs and I'd like to be a lean 225(6' tall), but currently i'm at 18-20% bodyfat and would like to decrease it while I focus on getting my strength up on the all the big lifts.

 

[SouthernLord]

Now what if our aspirations aren't to be a body builder and to just have an athletic look? Is cardio still out of the question? I'm 205 lbs and I'd like to be a lean 225(6' tall), but currently i'm at 18-20% bodyfat and would like to decrease it while I focus on getting my strength up on the all the big lifts.

I could give two shits less about bodybuilding bro. I want to be strong as fuck and look the part.

Most athletes do some form of cardio or energy system work. Sprints, hill sprints, bb complexes, lactic acid training, etc, etc.... You should be doing some sort of cardio, but build it into your overall plan. There is a fine line between just enough and too much imo. Your body will adapt to any stress over time, but if you are going to pound the cardio and try and get strong/muscular at the same time the excess calories better be there.

 

[Self-Inflicted]

Sounds good sir!

I just want the same, to be strong and look the part. Though it just seems that everywhere I go, I read different opinions about cardio and I'm sort of lost as to whether to do it or not. Most people frown upon it and say I need to focus on just gaining mass and that I'll lose muscle if I do cardio, but I don't think thats the road I want to go down. I want to be able to lift heavy weight and be able to run or do athletic type stuff.