Thursday, March 22, 2012

How Cardiovascular Exercise Affects Bulking Up

By Ellison Bramwell


Exercises that get your heart rate up such as running or bike riding should be part of any well rounded exercise program. Cardiovascular exercises such as these provide several benefits such as more energy to take on the day, improved lung and heart function, reduction in the chance of cardiovascular disease etc.

In the matter of gaining weight however, cardio can prevent you from achieving your goals. Any form of cardio burns calories. Some more than others.

If your goal is to build muscle, you should be eating more calories than you use up every single day. If you burn several hundred calories running, walking, cycling etc. you may not be able to take in enough calories to off set what you have burned.

Running burns around 500-1000 calories every hour depending on how much you weigh and exactly how fast you run. Using a stationary bike it's possible to burn 300-1100 calories. Walking will burn between 200-700.

If you are someone who has a very hard time putting on weight it is best to stop cardio while you are attempting to add mass. This will help you achieve your goal quicker at which time you can then resume your cardiovascular training. If you're set on continuing cardio try these tips to help out:

Keep cardio sessions to twenty minutes or less.

Speed walk rather than run.

Only do 1-2 cardio sessions each week.

Don't exercise on an empty stomach.

Estimate the calories you have burned and consume that many more calories.

As I remarked above there are a variety good things about doing cardio so it shouldn't be stopped for ever. In fact if you always focus on putting on the weight and do not do cardio it may hurt your gains. Since your heart pumps blood for the muscles and offers them with the nutrients that they need to grow it is vital that your heart is strong and healthy.

Reaching your goals is all about implementing strategies that work for you. Cardio is a tool in the over all scheme of fitness. Apply it based on where you are at with your goals.




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