Cardio- Can it stunt Muscle Building

S

Sekcy_Gymnast

Cathlete
Hey Everyone,
I was reading a magazine at the gym (can't remember which one it was:-( ) but it said something about too much cardio isn't as good for bodybuilders. I was just curious if this is true. I like building muscle, and think I look good muscle wise for being a teen. I seem to like to do cardio (step & elliptical) but I don't want it ot interfere with my muscle building. Since I know a lot of you are experts at this, I wanted to know your two cents! Thanks for your help & take care,

~Adri ;-)
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I have heard that it can, since if you are burning too many calories your body will use it all up as fuel and it can inhibit muscle building. I actually cut back on my cardio about a month or so ago, for this very reason - I want to build more muscle. I was doing cardio 6 days per week and lifting weights 2 days per week. I switched it up to cardio 5 days a week and weights 3 days per week. It has been working nicely so far. I also added a protein shake after each work out. It's tricky, because everyone is different and it can be a lot of trial and error to find the perfect balance of cardio, strength, and diet that works for you.

Dianna

http://www.picturetrail.com/Luv2WorkHard
 
Hi Dianna,

Did you find that you benefited from the protein shake? I've just started with the Slimfast Protein shakes (expensive, but not bad tasting). What did you notice?

TIA!
 
Cardio burns tissue...fat tissue and muscle tissue. Body builders are in the business of putting on as much muscle mass as possible while shedding the fat on top so that the muscle shows. Since cardio does burn muscle tissue, builders do as little cardio as they can get away with...just enough to get the fat layer off so that the muscle is left alone as much as possible.

For me, personally, an increase of protein in my diet has allowed me to add/maintain muscle mass while holding to a cardio routine.
 
Hey Tia,

Yes, I have noticed a difference since adding the protein shake - my muscles are getting bigger and I feel more fulfilled after my workouts. Before adding the protein shake, my body always felt weak after a workout (no matter how much I would eat). The shake (in addition to solid healthy protein and carbs) has made me feel much stronger and more nourished.

Dianna

http://www.picturetrail.com/Luv2WorkHard
 
Tia, what kind of protein drink do you dirnk after a workout? I have either Pure Protein Vanilla or Stawberry which have 35 protein, or Pure Pro from ABB that also has 35 protein but is Chocoalte swirl:9 :9. Mmmmm...Yummy!!! Thanks!

~Adri;-)
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Sarah,
Do you think if I have practice (gymnastics) for 4 hours, tehn go to the gym and do a step class for 1 hour, is that too much cardio? I really like that step class, iz the Extreme, the hardest and most fun. I wish I could do it a day i didn't have practice, but they only have the extreme 1 day a week, and it happens to be on a practice day. Then on wednesday i also have practice, but they have step circuit (wieghts) that i love. They have this class a lot, but I really like the instuctor who teaches this one (shes harder}()> WOuld this be too much cardio for me and my muscle building? Other than that I don't do cardio Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, just weight training and muscle training. What do you think? You seem really smart in this topic. P.S. Sorry this is long:)

Thank you SOOO much!

~Adri ;-)
 
Adri, I really cannot answer the question with any confidence because I do not have any idea what goes into a 4 hour gymnastic practice. I do not know if the 4 hours is constant, 100% cardio or if it is shorter intervals of intense cardio with recovery in between. I am guessing it is the later, as you rotate from activity to activity. Still, I don't know how many activities, the duration or the intensity.

If your doing a 4 hour practice and you love it, then heading to a step class because you love it...then I say stick with it and make sure you are consuming the extra calories your body needs for those activities. Eat plenty of lean protein...as whole as you can get. I wouldn't start chugging protein shakes all day because they are not whole proteins and the body prefers the real thing. Save the shakes for when it is just too tough to get your hands on a piece of chicken...like right after a workout.

Don't forget your healthy carbs, your body needs them to do all of those activities.
 
Thanks Sarah! THis does help. I guess I do have too many pritein drinks:D. I'll still do the step classes> I really like them. Besides I guess monday and wednesday are double cardio days. i just wanna keep up msucle building, but I've been doing this for a while and nothing has interfered yet so I guess I'm alright. Thanks so much sarah. This really helped!

~Adri;-)
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