Do you recommend extra cardio to speed up the fat burning?

[Guest]

Kevin,
Here is my question, would you recommend some cardio as a way to help me speed up the fat burning process?

C.

[batmannyc]

Kevin,
Here is my question, would you recommend some cardio as a way to help me speed up the fat burning process?

C.

The physiology of this issue is often overlooked and most people tend to just quote the party line, namely that cardio is good for the heart, however, the cardiovascular system supports the muscular system, and not the other way around, as such you cannot do a set of resistance training without working your heart- it simply isn't possible. And anyone that trains seriously (which by the way is much rarer than you think, just because someone shows up at a gym deos not mean that they really train seriously or correctly) a set of squats/clean and jerks/deadlifts/barbell rows or any othr compound movement will make your heart work harder than anything else that you could ever possibly do.

In so doing, the heart does get a workout, and so do your muscles- so it falls to reason that it should one should try to work the heart almost exclusively, as there is usually very little muscle stimulation derived from long term repetitive type exercise- which really is what modern aerobics is. You would also be surprised by how well high intensity resistance trainers do with regards to sprinting and even long distance running- do not be fooled into thinking that bigger muscles somehow equal a lack of cardiovascular efficiency.

As for bodyfat levels, well, the proof is in the pictures. I don't do cardio, (and I stay in shape all year round) nor do any of the many successful natural bodybuilding, fitness and figure champions that I train and have trained over the past 15 years as a trainer. When I started training, I was told that cardio is not part of a natural athlete's training routine, and so far almost all the top natural pros that I know and work with, don't do it, and when it comes to having bodyfat levels consistently low- bodybuilders wrote the book, not runners and aerobic enthusiasts.

So I would recommend against cardio as a way of losing bodyfat.