Cardio Question

**bowldawg** · 12-27-2011, 11:07 AM

I apologize in advance if this topic has been already covered ad nauseam. So I'm getting closer and closer to my goal of 14% bodyfat and I'm planning on going hard for the next couple of months with an hour of fasted cardio every morning. Now the problem is my treadmill took a crappy and I'm left with my wife's eliptical. I've used this machine in the past and its great , but a real ass kicker. If I follow the suggested pace I will be burning an estimated 1100 calories per hour. I know it seems like alot could be less, but I'm sure its around that mark due to the pool of sweat on my floor after I'm done. My concern is will this be counter productive? I dont want to lose the muscle I've worked to gain only that last bit of fat. Is there an intesity level to shoot for that burns fat and spares muscle?

**baseline_9** · 12-27-2011, 03:48 PM

Your diet is going the be the main determining factor with regards to the percentage of LBM you loose vs Fat Mass...

Are you consuming BCAA'S during the cardio, if not 10g is a good idea

I would go no longer than 60 mins on the cardio and TBH I would prefer to keep it to 45 mins....

Dont worry too much about the intensity... If your doing it for 45 mins then the chances are your going to be ok and the intensity is not going to be that great....

The eliptical seems to give me a massive estimated calorific figure per hr but i think its BS...

**tall76** · 12-27-2011, 03:53 PM

Agreed- that number the machine says for cals burned is bs

**bowldawg** · 12-27-2011, 05:24 PM

Thanks for the responses. I will add bcaa's. Yeah I thought the calories where a little ridiculous, however I will say that piece of equipment kicks my ass.

**mirin_serratus** · 12-27-2011, 09:26 PM

isn't it better to do low intensity cardio if you want to retain the most muscle? like 120bp for about 45mins, that would only burn like 300 cals but if you're eating at a deficit it will add up quick

**baseline_9** · 12-28-2011, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by mirin_serratus

isn't it better to do low intensity cardio if you want to retain the most muscle? like 120bp for about 45mins, that would only burn like 300 cals but if you're eating at a deficit it will add up quick

The OP is trying to get to 14% BF...

If he was trying to hit 4% your point would be more valid

**oatmeal69** · 12-28-2011, 03:51 PM

Still learning about it, but I'm having some good results doing interval for about 30 minutes after workouts. I am at about 14% now, lean everywhere except mid/torso, with a "two-pack." My goal is a "six-pack" but don't want to lose LBM either.
I think interval is better - for me anyway - than steady pace. I can see how low intensity only is best when you get to 10% and lower though.