Want to get a stronger heart but don't want to lose weight

[stretchMk]

Recently, I have found out that my heart will beat super fast when I push up my max for any exercise, and I find breathing pretty hard in the gym when I am using full force. I guess my heart is getting weary from the extra couple pounds of weight that I have put on recently. I want to do some excerises for my heart to make it stronger but at the same time, I don't really want to do cardio since I don't want to lose the weight that I have tried so hard to gain, what should I do? Please help.....

Thanks..

[threenorns]

do the cardio and eat more.

[.V.]

Sure, eat enough extra to support the cardio. Then do 15 or 16 minutes doing ALL YOU CAN DO for your chosen cardiovascular exercise. Then you won't burn off your gains AND you'll give your heart a workout.

Feed cardio just like any other workout - Keep the gains, keep them lean, have a healthy heart.

But I think if you are putting out maximum effort on a lift - it is likely going to leave you short of breath anyway. Those muscles need oxygen to work. Bigger muscles need more oxygen than smaller ones. When a part of the body has an increased oxygen demand, one will feel short of breath, increase respiratory rate and tidal volume. Then the heart rate increases to carry plenty of oxygen enriched blood to where it is needed.

That's why you see Lance Armstrong instead of Ronnie Coleman winning all of those l o n g bicycle races. Smaller muscles need less oxygen and don't tire nearly as quickly so they have more endurance.

Edit: 3N beat me to the submit button.
oops.

[LiftGirl]

I find myself out of breath and with increased heart rate after the big exercises (DL, squat, etc). I think it's normal. You use up all the oxygen in that muscle, so the heart is bringing it more.

Sorry, but the only way to get a stronger heart is to do cardio. You can't strengthen your legs doing bench presses.

[.V.]

Originally Posted by LiftGirl

You can't strengthen your legs doing bench presses.

I like that. :

[CF-OC_gal]

You can try eating more and doing cardio hoping to only increase your CV abilities. Unfortunately you body is going to do what it is programmed to do as it gets more conditioned.

I always ended up losing weight and or body fat which made me look and feel different. I loved the CV conditioning but I didn't care for the lower body fat.

[pseudonym]

Do conditioning work and eat eat eat is my opinion.

What is the point of being big if you can't run more than 100m ? that's just a joke IMO, fitness should be a concern even for us ecto's on a perpetual bulk.

The heart is by far the most important muscle in the body, neglect your bi's and you get stick-arms, neglect your heart and you get dead.

I say do your CV work (just make sure to increase your calories - first carbs then protein to compensate).

peace

[LiftGirl]

Originally Posted by a_welch503

I like that. :

Thanks!

[stretchMk]

yeah, i guess i know what to do then.
it's better to eat more and keep up the weight (maybe not gaining as easily) and live a little longer...

haha

thanks everyone!