How much is too much cardio

[rrash283]

I'm about to start the 3x5 workout to build strength and hopefully put on some much needed mass. If I'm trying to gain weight, how much is too much cardio? Here is what I was looking at;

M,W,F - 3x5 workouts
T,TH - 3 mile runs

I'm just coming off a 1.5 year vacation from exercise in general. I've been running, cycling, circuit training for about 9 years before my break, but I've never really attempted to gain any mass. I realize I will need to be taking in 5000+ "clean" calories a day, with aprox 280g of protien

My Stats

Age 26
Height 5'10"
Weight 145
BF (approx) 11 - 13%

Any and all advice is welcome
Thanx

[email protected]

 

[layinback]

I'm about to start the 3x5 workout to build strength and hopefully put on some much needed mass. If I'm trying to gain weight, how much is too much cardio? Here is what I was looking at;

M,W,F - 3x5 workouts
T,TH - 3 mile runs

I'm just coming off a 1.5 year vacation from exercise in general. I've been running, cycling, circuit training for about 9 years before my break, but I've never really attempted to gain any mass. I realize I will need to be taking in 5000+ "clean" calories a day, with aprox 280g of protien

My Stats

Age 26
Height 5'10"
Weight 145
BF (approx) 11 - 13%

Any and all advice is welcome
Thanx

[email protected]

if you are trying to bulk do 0 cardio. none zip nada. dont even LOOK at a treadmill or track. eat train sleep until you reach desired size. you will get other opinions but disregard them.

 

[rrash283]

if you are trying to bulk do 0 cardio. none zip nada. dont even LOOK at a treadmill or track. eat train sleep until you reach desired size. you will get other opinions but disregard them.

I was afraid someone would say that. I love running, it's a great way for me to get out and clear my head

 

[layinback]

I was afraid someone would say that. I love running, it's a great way for me to get out and clear my head

whens the last time you saw a big runner or cyclist? if you gonna get big put it off to the side for 3-6 months.

 

[petpre61]

just do the 6miles/week. there is no way it is going to interfere with gaining weight. eat enough and you will be fine.

 

[rrash283]

just do the 6miles/week. there is no way it is going to interfere with gaining weight. eat enough and you will be fine.

Woot, thats the response I was looking for. I wonder which side of the line the majority of the replies will fall on. I would enjoy being able to run, but not if it will really hinder my progression.

 

[DSnow6]

Everyone is different on this. But I do 1-2 hours of cardio a day even during my bulking cycles. Reason is because I'll eat enough calories to stay in a big surplus while I do it, but by doing the cardio you still have your metabolism revved up, even though your putting in to many calories for it to burn.

But... when you start dieting, you have a huge advantage because your metabolism is jacked up from the get go. The minute I drop from 6,500 calories down to 3,000, I lean out faster than anyone I know. By doing cardio during my bulking, it allows me to let my bf% go up higher. Some people in here say they don't let their bf get above 12. Well, I let it go as high as it wants to go, sometimes in ther 20% range simply because I can take it off quicker.

The only stipulations is don't do cardio directly before or after your lift. Keep your calories high. The cardio will actualy help increase the oxygen to your muscles and help them regenerate a little better in the long run.

 

[Sim882]

Your only proposing 2 3 mile runs per week - that's not heaps, I'm sure tons of "strong" athletes do this or more cardio (Gridiron; rugby etc).

If your worried, I wonder whether doing sprint intervals (even uphill) would be more compatible with gaining, given sprinters have fantastic bodies

Query why you think you need 5000 calories - that is heaps for your sub 70kg frame, given your only doing "moderate" amounts of exercise.

I'm about to start the 3x5 workout to build strength and hopefully put on some much needed mass. If I'm trying to gain weight, how much is too much cardio? Here is what I was looking at;

M,W,F - 3x5 workouts
T,TH - 3 mile runs

I'm just coming off a 1.5 year vacation from exercise in general. I've been running, cycling, circuit training for about 9 years before my break, but I've never really attempted to gain any mass. I realize I will need to be taking in 5000+ "clean" calories a day, with aprox 280g of protien

My Stats

Age 26
Height 5'10"
Weight 145
BF (approx) 11 - 13%

Any and all advice is welcome
Thanx

[email protected]

 

[rrash283]

Your only proposing 2 3 mile runs per week - that's not heaps, I'm sure tons of "strong" athletes do this or more cardio (Gridiron; rugby etc).

If your worried, I wonder whether doing sprint intervals (even uphill) would be more compatible with gaining, given sprinters have fantastic bodies

Query why you think you need 5000 calories - that is heaps for your sub 70kg frame, given your only doing "moderate" amounts of exercise.

I used 3 miles x2 each week to try and keep my cardio low enough to not affect gaining.

I really don't know how many calories I need each day. 5000+ was a number I've seen thrown around in other post about gaining diets.
I do however know that I am a hard gainer. My weight has only fluctuated +/- 5lbs over the last 8 years. I could eat McD's 5 days a week and not put on a pound. Even if I'm not training.

I'm open to any and all ideas on calorie intake, prospective diets, etc..
Thanx

 

[s8nlilhlpr2]

I really don't count calories myself, I'm lazy and its more work than I care to do. Here's my simple formula....Eat, every 2hrs regardless of if you are hungry. If you aren't gaining weight after 2 weeks, then you need to up the portions. Keep adding more food until the scale starts moving . Then you know how much you need to eat. When you STOP gaining weight (which will happen) you will have to increase your portions, or add more meals.