I've read and have been told on several occasions that it is not a good idea to do cardio when bulking. I understand the logic behind the advise. However, it just seems odd to not incorporate cardio in your routine. It has been difficult for me to do. It doesn't feel natural to lift and not run. Which would be the better approach?

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT).

No, don't do HIIT, only do that if you already have a good cardio base. Fit in a good 20 - 30 minutes of continuous running/biking/rowing wherever you can in the week. 30 minutes, twice a week is minimal for maintaining what you have now.

First off, im sure he has a good cardio base (not that it matters anyway) if hes saying "It doesn't feel natural to lift and not run". Secondly, " No, don't do HIIT" is a pretty strong statement coming from someone that knows absolutely nothing about the person. lastly, hes asking about doing cardio while bulking and you're giving him advise on "maintaining what you have now."

I am not going to explain to you (Streamline) what HIIT is because you seem to know enough about it to tell someone "not to do it" without knowing anything about the person.

Sorry i can't answer your question for you, rajath08.

P.S. I never told him to do HIIT, i simply posted it for him to consider doing while bulking.

A few cardio sessions is not going to limit you from building muscle. Aerobic activity has important physiological purposes.

First off, i think we should calm down and i'll make a better attempt at a post than the previous one i did.

The words "High Intensity" when HIIT is mentioned should instantly say that anyone who is not in at least reasonable cardio shape should not be doing it, so yes it does matter what kind of shape that he's in. HIIT is obviously hard and is going to be more stressful than regular continuous cardio.

You're right, i don't know much about him, if anything, but by the same token, neither do you so your arguement is hypocritical.

Well i guess i just assumed that he wanted to get some cardio benefit or at least maintain what he has WHILST gaining mass. I don't see any other reason why you would ask such a question.

You weren't very clear on this in your original post.

Rajath08 - I can tell you from personal experience (and others will as well) that cardio whilst bulking is not at all bad for you! Doing cardio does not hinder your gains at all whilst bulking.

Let's say you gain 20 pounds over a 6 month period, doing no cardio at all. Sure the gains are great but your heart has suffered. Not only have you increased your size but your heart is now LESS efficient than it was before so its really a lose lose. Like i said earlier, fit in cardio wherever you can and 30 minutes, twice a week is minimal to maintain what you have now.

Yes, you should do cardio. I rarely ever do cardio and I just weight lift. My stamina/endurance sucks so I can tell you from experience. I gotta start doing some cardio....

all the ppls i work out with, including myself, dont do cardio while bulking. I just find it easier and straight forward, Im puttin on weight. im eating and i need the calories , i dont wanna burn them off.

Besides cardio and training, what do you do throughout the week that burns a lot of calories. If you are doing any kind of sport, then you probably don't need cardio because sports are as good as cardio. If you just sit on your a$$ 24/7, then I think you need some cardio.

Really intense cardio on resting days or after lifting can take energy away from the muscles that they need to rebuild themselves.
So, if you're maintaining your muscles, then do your cardio but incorporate some heavy lifts as well before and after training. Nothing too hard, just enough to feel a good burn.

you dont really need to do it if your bulking but IMO its always beneficial here are some reasons for doing it.

1) Indirect cardiac adaptations such as short-term increases in cardiac output and longer-term increases in capillary density of type I fibers (6). Collectively, these adaptations may promote blood flow to soft tissues and, in turn, nutrient delivery (7) and clearance of metabolic wastes (8). Obviously, the ability to generate and maintain body heat as a result of greater capillary density can also prove highly beneficial for strength and power athletes as well.

2) Reduced delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) (8), possibly related in part to the aforementioned improvements in nutrient delivery and clearance of metabolic wastes.

Ever wonder why baseball pitchers often go for long, slow jogs on the day or two after they throw? Strength and power work does little to improve circulation, so this work is welcomed relief from rigorous 120-pitch outings (or punching clubhouse walls, if your name is Kevin Brown).



3) An opportunity to practice crucial movement patterns when the exercise chosen in competition-specific (e.g. light squats, benches or deadlifts for a powerlifter).

4) Enhancement of psychological well-being (9).

5) Improved insulin sensitivity (10), allowing for more efficient utilization of dietary carbohydrates in restoring glycogen and stimulation of protein synthesis.

6) General physical preparedness (GPP), defined by Verkhoshansky as "conditioning exercises designed to enhance an athlete's general, non-specific work capacity" (10). As an athlete's work capacity increases, so too does his ability to adapt to increases in imposed volume demands.

lol...you should probably reference the Author, Eric Cressey, when copying his articles.

You're right, streamline. Didn't mean to come down on you. I was just having a bad day.

Doing HIIT spurs growth hormones. Theres a recen't thread in this section of the forum that has a article on HITT I posted.