Anyone bulk up too much from doing Cath workouts?
- Thread starter DeanaMax
- Start date
kathryn
Cathlete
What is your definition of 'bulky'?
"Bulk" (I hate that "B' word!) has more to do with your genetics and body type than with specific exercise. If you have short limbs, you will look 'bulkier' than someone with long limbs, and if you are a mesomorph, you will build muscle more easily. (I don't think many ectomorphs have problems with getting 'bulky').
It also has to do with diet (if you eat more, you will get bigger) and balance of cardio and weights (doing more cardio keeps muscle growth down. Also, having extra layers of fat over the muscle adds to the bulky look.
When one first starts weight training, or increases the intensity of their workouts, there may be more fluid retention in the muscles, as a reaction to the new stress, but this levels out after a while.
I'm an ecto-endo, and I don't get 'big' as much as I get 'strong.' The muscle I do gain adds shape rather than just bulk.
"Bulk" (I hate that "B' word!) has more to do with your genetics and body type than with specific exercise. If you have short limbs, you will look 'bulkier' than someone with long limbs, and if you are a mesomorph, you will build muscle more easily. (I don't think many ectomorphs have problems with getting 'bulky').
It also has to do with diet (if you eat more, you will get bigger) and balance of cardio and weights (doing more cardio keeps muscle growth down. Also, having extra layers of fat over the muscle adds to the bulky look.
When one first starts weight training, or increases the intensity of their workouts, there may be more fluid retention in the muscles, as a reaction to the new stress, but this levels out after a while.
I'm an ecto-endo, and I don't get 'big' as much as I get 'strong.' The muscle I do gain adds shape rather than just bulk.
ivorygorgon
Cathlete
Bring on the bulk baby! I am one who tends to get "bulky." But I love it!
DeanaMax
Cathlete
By bulky I meant adding inches to your frame. About 10 years ago after going to the gum frequently, I thought I got a little stocky. I sware, when I stopped exercising, I got leaner (and liked that much better). I've done primarily cardio for months and haven't really noticed that much of a change to my body. So recently, I started doing weights in addition to cardio. I just have a fear of that B work coming back. I guess I have to find the right mix that works for me...
Hi DeanaMax,
Just wanted to say that I am in the same boat as you. I am 6ft tall and am already blessed with a large frame ;-) so any kind of weight work I do adds to this frame in a way that I personally do not like. Having said this, I have about 10-14lbs of body fat covering my muscles so this doesn't help! Many people suggested that I run to lean down and lose body fat, and although I have been running for about a year and a half, it has not helped to lean me down.
I have been in a quandry about what kind of rotation to do to lean down, and (as Kathryn mentioned) think I have settled on circuit/light weights type of workouts (ie Boot Camp, Circuit Max, Cardio & Weights, High Step Circuit/Training) with maybe an all cardio/interval or kickboxing workout thrown in once a week. Also, it has been suggested that stretching workouts really help to elongate and "lean out" the muscles. I have to admit, this is one area that I neglect, so maybe I will add that into the mix as well and see what happens.
So a week would look something like this:
Day 1: Circuit Max (light weights)
Day 2: All Cardio
Day 3: Boot Camp (light weights)
Day 4: Stretch
Day 5: High Step Training (light weights)
Day 6 & 7: Rest or Stretch
What do you think? Worth a shot?
Kaz
Just wanted to say that I am in the same boat as you. I am 6ft tall and am already blessed with a large frame ;-) so any kind of weight work I do adds to this frame in a way that I personally do not like. Having said this, I have about 10-14lbs of body fat covering my muscles so this doesn't help! Many people suggested that I run to lean down and lose body fat, and although I have been running for about a year and a half, it has not helped to lean me down.
I have been in a quandry about what kind of rotation to do to lean down, and (as Kathryn mentioned) think I have settled on circuit/light weights type of workouts (ie Boot Camp, Circuit Max, Cardio & Weights, High Step Circuit/Training) with maybe an all cardio/interval or kickboxing workout thrown in once a week. Also, it has been suggested that stretching workouts really help to elongate and "lean out" the muscles. I have to admit, this is one area that I neglect, so maybe I will add that into the mix as well and see what happens.
So a week would look something like this:
Day 1: Circuit Max (light weights)
Day 2: All Cardio
Day 3: Boot Camp (light weights)
Day 4: Stretch
Day 5: High Step Training (light weights)
Day 6 & 7: Rest or Stretch
What do you think? Worth a shot?
Kaz
I've found that no matter what I do, be it light weights/high rep or heavy/slow rep or circuit or cardio, etc, etc. I always look pretty much the same. Only slight differences, problably noticeable only to me. So, I just mix it up and enjoy it all.
What it boils down to what I "eat" that makes me "think" I'm "bulking". I always feel bulky when my eating is not so great and I never feel bulky if I'm eating good clean and healthy. That extra fat layer adds a bulky "feel" over what muscle tone I have. I honestly don't believe I'm actually bulking even if at times I fear it might happen. It's a mental game for alot of women. We know it's not really happening, but we are afraid of it all the same.
Everyone's idea of bulking is different. My own idea of it is someone more musclular than Cathe (she still looks feminine and girly to me). Cathe's physique might be too bulky for some. But, like Kathryn said. It has alot to do with genetics and size and length of limbs. It's hard to look bulky if you are all elbows and knees. Not so hard if you aren't. That's why alot of body builders are shorter and more stocky naturally before they ever lifted a single dumbbell.
What it boils down to what I "eat" that makes me "think" I'm "bulking". I always feel bulky when my eating is not so great and I never feel bulky if I'm eating good clean and healthy. That extra fat layer adds a bulky "feel" over what muscle tone I have. I honestly don't believe I'm actually bulking even if at times I fear it might happen. It's a mental game for alot of women. We know it's not really happening, but we are afraid of it all the same.
Everyone's idea of bulking is different. My own idea of it is someone more musclular than Cathe (she still looks feminine and girly to me
). Cathe's physique might be too bulky for some. But, like Kathryn said. It has alot to do with genetics and size and length of limbs. It's hard to look bulky if you are all elbows and knees. Not so hard if you aren't. That's why alot of body builders are shorter and more stocky naturally before they ever lifted a single dumbbell.