Cardio ok??

[Micker]

I have been focusing on gaining strength and mass lately. I am 5'7" and now weigh over 180lbs. My bodyfat is probably 14ish% and I have good muscle definition, but not ripped up. I have always been a hard gainer, but now at 34, with effort, I can actually gain weight. Now that I am near a weight I can live with, I want to start doing some cardio. I have avoided any and all cardio for the last year as weight gain and strenght were my only priority. I know my endurance has suffered due to this and I want to get some back.

My question is how much cardio can I do and not cut into my Strength/Weight gains?? Like most people, I always want to get bigger/stronger, but I don't want to have no wind. What would be safe to do and not really effect my strength program?? I was thinking about sprints and/or jumping rope. I was going to maybe try out some boxing or jiu jitsu in hte future and would like some type of endurance to start.

 

[BiggT]

It sounds like you want to improve GPP (General Physical Preparedness).

Sprinting is good, jog a half mile to warm up, then sprint 100 yards, rest 2 minutes, then sprint 100 yards again. By the time you work up to ten 100 yard sprints, you will be in very good shape. Also, sled dragging is great cardio/GPP.

If you have any access to some strongman inplements, these can help conditioning too.