Is it possible to have the whole package?

[Tom Treutlein]

I'm just curious if there would be a way to go about lifting while building in all or most areas of physical fitness. Not only fitness, really, but just growing in all areas in general? I've noticed my cardiovascular endurance has dropped since I started bulking in the beginning of the Winter. I try to sit around as much as I can when not lifting so I don't expend excess calories, but it has made me feel rather sluggish.

I would like to stay in overall physcial health, yet progress in way of size and strength. I feel there is a way to go about this, while keeping your weight gain steady. I don't believe one has to become a fat-ass to gain some size. No offense to those who do this, it just doesn't appeal to me, and I was wondering if there was a way to go about reaching these goals.

 

[Scotsman]

It is very hard but not impossible. Your cardio endurance is going to suffer as you gain muscle. Muscle need blood pumped around so the more of it you have the harder you heart has to work to keep it all going. Also the bigger you are the more energy you expended in the same situations than when you are smaller.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[d3track]

don't go crazy on cardio stuff
a couple of 30 min sessions a week aren't going to hamper you a whole lot
but 5 1hr sessions is a totally different story

 

[ProtienFiend]

cardio might help you build muscle... you just have to eat a little more

 

[Lord_Suston]

Yep it is possible, but training for it is real hard. Some people have great genetics but other I know sprint a lot or do a lot of interval training. Personally i think optimal on both would be Cardio 3x a week and weights 3x a week. But the weight would be compound lifts and quick intense session. The cardio might be high intensity for the first 5-15 minutes- maybe intervals and then some basic conditioning for 15-30 minutes.

 

[Tom Treutlein]

What do you mean by basic conditioning? I figure sprints ran at intervals, which I do enjoy, and then some light cycling or jogging/hiking?

 

[rnch]

Frackal and HI are conviced that THEY are the TOTAL package.

 

[aerowana]

How bout doing sprinting only for cardio. Michael Johnson, Ben Johnson, Ato Boldon and other 100- 400 metre sprinters have greater cardio (anaerobic mostly) plus their bodies are'nt that small either.

 

[muscledog95]

get a dragging sled

 

[chewyxrage]

For me 2-3 25 minute moderate intensity cardio sessions per week seems to help me feel "in shape" as opposed to doing no cardio.

 

[Lord_Suston]

Tom-just sprinting will give you endurance but will mostly help you have running endurance. Intense sled dragging, rowing and toher types of movement wil help overall endurance as well

 

[Tom Treutlein]

Alright, could I do some type of hiking with a heavy pack a couple times a week (seems similar enough to sled dragging to me) or varied kinds of intense cardio to help my cardiovascular endurance, without hindering my lifting?

 

[tzan]

Alright, could I do some type of hiking with a heavy pack a couple times a week (seems similar enough to sled dragging to me) or varied kinds of intense cardio to help my cardiovascular endurance, without hindering my lifting?

Absolutely. Like proteinfiend said just eat al ittle more if your so concerned about it. As long as your not going crazy with the cardio, I think it will do more good than bad for you in trying to build muscle. The key is to keep eating.

 

[LeeJunFan]

I only know of about 3 or 4 people MAX down my gym that actually have all three pillars of fitness, I do lift weights and do cardio, I tried stretching for a good month and I was getting into it (I do martial arts so it helped a lot) but I stopped for some reason I can't remember, stretching is so underated!

 

[Tom Treutlein]

What do you consider the three pillars? If you mean size, strength, and endurance, then you're missing speed...