You’ve been hitting the gym hard, trying to pack on some muscle mass, and you’ve heard that cardio is bad for gaining weight. You’re not sure if this is true or not, but it’s causing you some concern. You want to know if you should cut back on your cardio workouts or if you can continue with your routine without affecting your weight gain goals.
One of the biggest pain points related to is cardio bad for gaining weight is the fear that it will hinder muscle growth. People who are trying to gain weight often worry that doing too much cardio will burn off the calories they’re consuming, which will make it harder for them to put on weight.
The truth is that cardio can be both good and bad for gaining weight, depending on how you approach it.
In this article, we’ll discuss the truth about is cardio bad for gaining weight and how you can use cardio to your advantage in your weight gain journey. We’ll also explore related keywords such as is cardio bad for muscle gain and is cardio bad for bulking.
Personal Experience with Cardio and Weight Gain
As a personal trainer, I’ve worked with many clients who are trying to gain weight. I’ve found that cardio can be both helpful and harmful in their weight gain journey, depending on how it’s used.
For example, I had a client who was doing an hour of cardio every day in addition to his weightlifting routine. He was struggling to gain weight, and we discovered that his excessive cardio was burning off the calories he needed to put on weight. We reduced his cardio to three times a week, and he started seeing better results in terms of weight gain.
On the other hand, I had another client who was doing no cardio at all. He was gaining weight, but he was also putting on a lot of fat. We introduced some light cardio into his routine, and he started seeing better results in terms of muscle gain and body composition.
How Cardio Can Affect Weight Gain
Cardio can affect weight gain in different ways, depending on how it’s used. Here are some ways cardio can affect weight gain:
Calorie Burn
Cardio burns calories, and if you’re doing too much of it, it can burn off the calories you need to put on weight. However, if you’re doing the right amount of cardio, it can help you burn off excess fat and improve your body composition.
Metabolism
Cardio can boost your metabolism, which can help you burn more calories throughout the day. This can be helpful for weight gain, as it can help you consume more calories without gaining too much fat.
Energy Levels
Cardio can also affect your energy levels, which can impact your weight gain goals. If you’re doing too much cardio, you may feel fatigued and have less energy to put into your weightlifting routine. However, if you’re doing the right amount of cardio, it can actually improve your energy levels and help you perform better in the gym.
Tips for Using Cardio to Your Advantage
If you want to use cardio to your advantage in your weight gain journey, here are some tips:
- Don’t do too much cardio. Aim for no more than three sessions per week.
- Focus on low-impact cardio such as walking, cycling, or swimming.
- Avoid high-intensity cardio such as running or HIIT, as these can burn off too many calories.
- Do cardio after your weightlifting routine, not before. This will ensure that you have enough energy to lift heavy weights.
Question and Answer
Q: Is cardio bad for gaining weight?
A: Cardio can be both good and bad for gaining weight, depending on how it’s used.
Q: Will doing too much cardio burn off the calories I need to put on weight?
A: Yes, doing too much cardio can burn off the calories you need to put on weight. Aim for no more than three sessions per week.
Q: What type of cardio is best for weight gain?
A: Low-impact cardio such as walking, cycling, or swimming is best for weight gain. Avoid high-intensity cardio such as running or HIIT, as these can burn off too many calories.
Q: Should I do cardio before or after my weightlifting routine?
A: Do cardio after your weightlifting routine, not before. This will ensure that you have enough energy to lift heavy weights.
Conclusion of Is Cardio Bad for Gaining Weight
Cardio can be both good and bad for gaining weight, depending on how it’s used. If you’re trying to gain weight, aim for no more than three cardio sessions per week and focus on low-impact cardio such as walking, cycling, or swimming. Avoid high-intensity cardio such as running or HIIT, as these can burn off too many calories. Do cardio after your weightlifting routine, not before, and make sure you’re consuming enough calories to support your weight gain goals.
