Cardio's role in skinny guy's weight lifting plan??

[tihash]

Hi,

I have started lifting weights. I am 31, 6'1", 168. I know that eatling a lot more, while lifting, is the key to gaining muscle.

However, before I started lifting, I did cardio about 5 days per week.

I don't want to give my cardio up. After turning 30, it is especially important to me to be "heart healthy."

Anyhow, I am lifting every other day consistently. Where does cardio fit in? Same day as weights, but aftyerwards?

On the day off?

I have read inconsistent advice on this elsewhere on the web.

Thanks!

 

[wolf116]

Cardio in the mornings or after weights is fine as long as it's low intensity.

 

[MrS]

Carry on with the cardio if you enjoy it!

 

[Quagmire911]

As the others have said, just keep it low intensity 30-45 minutes 3-5 times a week.

What routine are you doing at the moment? Lets take a look at it!

Ps-Make sure the cardio is not on the treadmill when it is on the flat setting.

 

[Quiksilver]

It depends what you want cardio to be...

For a skinny guy who still wants to be "heart healthy", I'd stick to one high intensity session lasting 5-15 minutes, and one low intensity session lasting 45-60 minutes.

The logic behind this is that a skinny guy doesn't really need to do cardio for fat loss, so the primary concern is keeping your heart strong. To do that you need to red line your heart rate for a short time(5-15 minutes), and also keep your heart rate elevated(70-85%) for a longer period(45-60 minutes).

This will build heart strength(short burst) and endurance(steady state).

cheers man

 

[Throttle]

heart healthy is also a relative thing... a strong heart is useful, but only if you exert yourself. doing cardio so that you can handle an elevated heart rate is a rather grand bit of circular reasoning. the most important thing for heart health is to not carry around a spare tire, sounds like you've got that covered so quik, quag and the rest are giving you good advice.

 

[Quagmire911]

Whilst he may not need the cardio for fat loss, he still needs it for nutrient partitioning, increasing recovery time, endurance etc. And of course keeping fat gain at bay.

 

[spesmilitis]

cardio will make you eat more. Remember, bulking is more related to total calories consumed that net caloric balance.