How important is cardio?

[JohnnyB11]

I am trying to bulk in size before achieving a very very cut (below 10%) build. I want to bulk big before cutting because I want to have big arms and a big chest/back also with abs and not just look like a 16 year old who thinks hes the shit because he has abs but he weighs 135 lbs lol. Since this is my strategy, I haven't ever done much cardio in my life but yet kept putting on size and eating big. I used to weigh 135 in grade 11, beginning of grade 12 (end of grade 12 i was like 150 ish.) However, at 5'9, I am now 185 lbs between 12-14% bf (estimate, but I am quite lean with out much fat at all.) The problem is, I haven't done hardly any (if any, maybe like 10 times max from the age of 18-22) and I think it's starting to take a toll on my health because sometimes I just feel completely sluggish and getting off the couch is a mission (after eating steaks and blah blah blah.) I know this is making me sound like I am fat but I am not (I would definitely be completely in poor shape cardiovascular wise though.) I guess what I am asking is that... it almost seems as though if I keep it up this way, I am going to have a heart attack due to clogged arteries or whatever could happen with no cardio. Basically, picture me a 300 lbs man (bad shape wise) but with a decent build of muscles (seeing me in person, you would assume i was in good shape all around.) How important is cardio?

[SlimmerMe]

Cardio is great for your heart. And something to think about: many guys like to get lean first before bulking because in the name of bulking some end up with more bf which defeats the whole purpose. So really give this some thought. I have read it is easier to cut first and then bulk. But each to their own here. Just sharing with you what all I have seen.

[JohnnyB11]

That is technically what I have been doing unintentionally lol. For instance, just this march that passed I was up to about 175 and then hurt my wrist and then took time off until september. I went back down to about 162 which was definitely incredibly lean. Now I am back up to about 185. I don't want to do ALOT of cardio because I'll have to eat more to maintain growth but I think i should definitely add it in atleast once a week and im debating twice a week. Just enough to kind of revive my heart and tell it I still care lol. I did cardio today and I feel great.

[SlimmerMe]

Cardio makes me feel great too~ does something to me.

[dec11]

cardio is important, the body operates much more easily and efficiently. when i was flat out at muay thai i felt great with a definite heightened sense of well being

[JohnnyB11]

What would happen if someone were to keep increasing cals as the weight went up... increasing and increasing and they were making solid muscle gains (although minor fat gains which comes with bulking, nothing major at all) and they just simply never did cardio? Would you eventually have a heart attack because you essentially have a 160 lbs frame and you kept increasing cals over the years to weigh 210?

[rockinred]

Johnny.... we all have opinions here... Some people are gifted with great metabolisms that don't require high amounts of cardio to look fit. My opinion is that you are not fit/healthy without the ability to do cardio. You can have great physique and muscles, but if you have no cardio vascular endurance or training you are not really "in shape". You look good, but thats only part of it. I see skinny people all over the place. They are not fat or obese, but they are not fit either. Skinny people drinking and smoking. So to be in shape you have to have cardio. There are variances on cardio fitness, but if you are going after over all health, cardio is even over all above most exercising. I don't have to chose, but if I only had to chose one type of fitness it would be cardio. That's how important it is... this is my opinion. I don't want to debate with everyone.

To answer you question above, the body is not that simple. It will adapt to the weight and not stay lost at the 160lbs weight. Carrying weight over time it will eventually adjust. Now how much and how fast will vary person to person. Also, how fast you put it on will determine the answer to that as well. If you do cardio, you are pushing the blood and working the heart muscle to handle the increase in size. It needs the exercise as well. When I first started cycling I jumped from 180-200-215 relatively fast. That first year was a rough one. I have always implemented running and various forms of cardio due to my past. So it minimized the hard breathing and getting winded pretty quick. It still happened though. So I couldn't imagine not having that in my routine and gaining. It would probably take twice as long for your body to adjust. So for me that would have put me at probably 2 years or can be greater of adjusting.

So if you are debating it... don't. Implement it and you will feel better and be a better person. No if ands or buts. Train insane or remain the same.. right?

[JohnnyB11]

nice post rockinred, I definitely am going to implement cardio twice a week into my routine because after yesterday doing cardio, I felt great for the rest of the day. I am still natural as i'm only 22 so I don't think jumping from 180 to 215 is going to happen just yet (at 5'9) but that is impressive that you made such nice gains. Anyway, thanks for the help, will do.

[Jerome1]

I thinks cardio is really awesome for the fitness of the body,.
Its keep your fitness and keeps you healthy,.