13 replies to this topic

[toltec]

I am about to start my 1st true cycle in December. I am almost 6'5 and 200lbs and wish to gain 20lbs of lean muscle. I am debating on whether or not to keep up my cardio routine. Should I drop all cardio for the 10 weeks of my cycle? My main goal during this cycle is to gain muscle mass.


Any advice?

[Thinkbig]

I WOULD EIHTER DROP IT OR LOWER IT TO NO MORE THAN 2 SESSIONS A WEEK.

HERES THE THING, YOU SOUND VERY ECTOMORPHIC, SO WITH THAT SAID, ITS PROBABLY GOING TO BE HARD FOR YOU TO GAIN, WHEN YOUR BURNING UP VALUABLE CALORIES.

HOW ABOUT YOU DROP IT COMPLETELY AND THEN RE-EVALUATE AFTER A MONTH OR SO AND SEE IF YOU NEED TO KEEP IT IN AT 1-2 SESSIONS A WEEK.

[toltec]

Yeah, I believe I am going to do just that.

Any other advice for a hard gainer?

[MissKBuff]

Definitely, definitely, lower the cardio right down if you are concentrating on building lean mass. Up the cardio again after the cycle when you are cutting and leaning out.

[toltec]

Yeah, I am going to do a quarter of bulking, Dec. Jan. Feb. and then add cardio for the next quarter, March, April, May.

[scuba]

I wouldnt drop it totally, you should only do it least as possible. I would stick to 2 days a week for 20-30 minutes on days you dont work out. Evaluate it every 4 weeks and see how it works. I typically do it once a week when bulking, whatever you do dont do HIIT.

[MissKBuff]

I wouldnt drop it totally, you should only do it least as possible. I would stick to 2 days a week for 20-30 minutes on days you dont work out. Evaluate it every 4 weeks and see how it works. I typically do it once a week when bulking, whatever you do dont do HIIT.

YES! Whatever you do, definitely do NOT do HIIT, as you will be completely depleting what you need to build the mass you're going for.

I personally might consider dropping the cardio entirely, and adding higher intensity lifting, but if any, as little as possible, and none in the mornings...

[toltec]

What is HIIT?


I've decided to drop any cardio and concentrate on short high intensity work outs. 45 minutes max in the gym.


Should I be consuming any and every calorie I can get? For me I believe it would be best to consume any and everything no matter what it is for the entire quarter of my cycle.


Any more thoughts?


Thanks guys.

[Thinkbig]

HIIT aka HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING.

BASICALLY AN EXAMPLE OF HIIT THAT I DO QUITE A BIT IS TO:

RUN 1/4 MILE, THEN WALK 1/4 MILE, THIS IS ONE ROTATION, I DO THIS ROTATION A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES TIMES, USUALLY TAKES JUST UNDER ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND ITS ABOUT 2.5 MILES.

THIS IS GREAT FOR DROPING WEIGHT FAST, BUT IT ROBS YOUR BODY OF GLYCOGEN LIKE A BITCH AND WOULD SERIOUSLY MAKE IT HARD TO GAIN SIZE FOR ANYONE, LET ALONE AN ECTOMORPH.

"IF" YOU DECIDE TO DO ANY CARDIO AT ALL, AND I REALLY AM LEANING AGAINST YOU NOT DOING ANY, I WOULD JUST DO SOMETHING LIKE 20-30 MINUTES OF 3MPH ON THE TREADMILL OR A VERY RANDOM PEDAL ON THE STATIONARY BIKE.

[toltec]

Yeah. HIIT sounds great for cutting.


I won't be doing any cardio for the entire quarter. I plan on doing nothing but working out 4 days of the week and concentrate on my goal of gaining muslce mass or really mass in general.

Concentrate on intense/short 45 minute work outs. Getting everything in sight, pleanty of moose/deer/chicken/salmon/halibut. Getting good rest.

[MissKBuff]

Yes, no cardio is a great plan for bulking...and as for the calories. Eating a ton of them is exactly what you need, but when you say anything and everything, make sure it's all (at least most of the good kinds of calories that you are eating.

PROTIEN PROTIEN PROTIEN!!! (like you listed up there ^)

[Streetdawg]

I would agree to drop the cardio.

Eat before you go to bed at least a shake. eat if you wake up in the nite and for sure when you wake up. in other words EAT PROTEIN LOL

not sure what all is in your workout routine or how long you have lifted? but my 2 cents is to Squat and Deadlift and stick with all the free weight core movements if you are just focused on gaining mass. I get asked all the time - how do you get big arms? my answer is always the same.....Squat. its the king of all exercises.

alot of guys will typically put on 25-30lbs on the first cyle and hang onto a good amount of it depending on how your post cycle training/diet/rest etc goes.

good luck!

SD

[MissKBuff]

two words...

BIG BARBELLS!