Everyone knows I've only been trying to actually be more fit and healthy for about 2 years. Before that, as I got fatter and fatter, the joke was that I was in training for sumo. Although that joke wasn't actually correct, those guys can really put out some explosive power - I couldn't.
I lift 3 days out of 4. I work the whole body 1 or 2 body parts/lifting day about twice a week. I try to do cardio 2 or 3 days out of 4. In case no one has figured it out, my work schedule gives me 1 day at work, 1 day on call, 2 days completely off. Sometimes the on call day interferes with my workouts - especially cardio. Gee, imagine that if I have to choose between lifting and cardio, I choose to lift.
For cardio, I walk, try to run, ride a bike, ride my cardioglide and split firewood. Time and mileage varies. My goal is to be able to run 3 miles without having to walk (a ways off from that one) immediately after a 12 mile bike ride and 1/2 mile swim. Right now, I'm riding the bike 8-12 miles every chance I get. Trying to build the leg strength and endurance to make it 20 miles eventually. Hopefully the riding will build my endurance with the running too. It's the cardiovascular endurance that stops the running, not muscle failure.
Right now, I've started a bulking diet to hopefully gain some size and strength over the winter. I know the cardio may interfere with that goal. However, I'm doing this for overall fitness, not just to get big.
Some people say, "don't do cardio while bulking". They say that too much "endurance" training will leave the body looking like Lance Armstrong. Definitely not my goal. However, I imagine that someone like that must ride hundreds of miles a day, not the small amount I do a couple of times a week.
I've seen cyclists who have big legs, and runners who have HUGE legs. I know that when walking, I can really feel the muscles in the legs and butt working (when doing more vigorous things, I mostly just feel short of breath)
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Now to my question. Since some runners and cyclists do get big legs - any idea approximately what the point is where the training stops making the muscles bigger and they start getting smaller for more endurance. There is no question that a smaller person can last longer because the smaller muscles don't need as much oxygen and fuel so they don't tire as easily. A good thing for an endurance athlete, rock climber, bike racer...not good for a bodybuilder. Ok so I don't really count as a bodybuilder, but you get the idea of my question. How much cardio training can one do and still get bigger and stronger - especially get the legs bigger. It really sucks when you go to the bike shop and the guy that runs the place says, "you look more like a bodybuilder than a cyclist but you do have cycling legs". I know the legs are my worse body part, but to be told I have cycling legs - what an insult - I've got to change that.
In case anyone has forgotten, I'm trying to get bigger, stronger, AND develop enough
cardiovascular fitness to compete in a triathalon in the spring.
Oh and a note on the diet - to keep from losing anything from it, I feed the cardio sessions before and after - just like my weight training. Protein, creatine, glutamine, before and protein, creatine, glutamine, more glutamine, and dextrose after. Then 30 minutes later a protein complex carb meal. Then 2 hours later another protein, complex carb meal with some extra
green vegetables.
I know that each body is different and we have to find exactly what dietary needs we indivually have, what cardio needs we individually have, and what kind of weight training gives the best results to our own body. But I was just wondering if anyone has any idea in general about how much cardio will actually help muscles grow instead of getting smaller.
I know, we can't have it all and wanting it all is asking a bit much of the body. But you try being a 300 pound lardass someday then get in shape (or sort of in shape) and see if you don't want it all too. I don't think anyone can do it without developing a desire to become totally fit in everything they do.
Thanks.
Linear Mode
