Francesco A. Castano

Can A Bodybuilder Lose Muscle Mass With Aerobic Exercise?



Posted: Monday, March 02, 2009

by
IncrediBody.com

A large number of bodybuilders are perplexed regarding cardiovascular exercise, with some believing that such effort is helpful in controlling body fat, while others embracing the idea that aerobic activity will in effect either burn away muscle mass, or limit future muscle building. The latter group's concern has caused many weight lifters to avoid cardiovascular activity during muscle building periods, and even shy away from aerobic activity when fat loss is the main goal, but for many, the question remains as to whether the cardiovascular activity concern is well founded, or if this notion is instead a part of bodybuilding mythology.

Most weight lifters do realize the positive impact of aerobic activity in fat burning, but the worry begins when considering the impact on muscle mass, and this idea has forced certain weight lifters to substitute their moderately intense cardiovascular routines with power walking, believing that this type of activity is sufficiently intense to burn fat, but beneath the threshold for muscle loss. I occasionally try to consider where exactly these notions originate, and a group of weight lifters may have possibly felt so motivated by the idea of adopting less effort (which occurs when comparing power walking to more intense forms of cardiovascular exercise), that they began promoting this rather foolish proposition, or, alternatively, a group of marketing experts may have felt that they could design a fitness plan filled with attractive information, namely a simple to use routine that will encourage readers to purchase due to incredibly effortless promises. Of course, such ideas have constantly proven themselves to be miserable failures, offering horrid results. Yet, what weight lifter does not enjoy the thought of suppressing effort and achieving improved progress? Taking this idea one step further, do you know of any bodybuilder who would outright reject an excuse to abandon cardiovascular activity completely if he or she were convinced that doing so was helpful to muscle growth?

Yes, evil aerobics sounds like a very attractive proposition to a weight lifter who is seeking less effort, and advertising is an industry where the senses are tickled to the point of emotional purchase, but the wisdom taught decades ago are never replaced by clever advertising slogans, despite the effort of many exercise entrepreneurs. Making aerobics seem counterproductive is an excellent method at convincing a weight lifter to invest financially in a particular fat loss and muscle building system, because each one of us feels a sense of curiosity towards the idea of more down time producing enhanced progress, but this particular gimmick does not translate into results. Wherever the idea surfaced, advertisers have used the "cardio risks muscle mass" notion to market their own products, despite the fact that cardiovascular activity is not only effective in reducing body fat when performed correctly and consistently, but is not a hindrance to muscle gain.

All weight lifters realize that a physique will decline in overall aesthetic beauty as body fat percentage begins to increase, and conversely, will improve significantly as body fat declines. Therefore, prudence suggests that any body fat control concept should be integrated at all times in order for the best possible bodybuilding results, and if cardiovascular activity is in fact an effective fat control method, then it behooves all who are seeking the best possible bodybuilding progress to implement cardiovascular activity into their regular workout plan.

The only exception to this rule is if a bodybuilder aims primarily for muscle gain, and due to a hectic schedule or an emotional inability to accept additional training time, he or she feels simply incapable of maintaining maximum intensity during weight lifting workouts when cardiovascular activity is an added burden; in such a scenario, aerobic activity can be reserved for fat loss phases only, when weight lifting workout volume declines. But for those who have the mental fortitude to perform regular cardiovascular activity, integrating aerobics throughout the week is prudent, even during muscle building periods, as the less fat that is produced during muscle gain, the more focus can be maintained on achieving new muscle growth, and the more definition a bodybuilder will experience throughout the year.

So, despite the skeptics and advertising mavins who claim otherwise, cardiovascular activity is helpful in burning fat, will not risk muscle mass when following an effective diet plan and weight training workout routine, and will improve metabolism so that body fat percentage can remain acceptable throughout the year. If you are seeking maximum bodybuilding progress, then consider aerobic activity to be your trusty fat burning companion.

Francesco Castano authors MuscleNOW.com, a diet and weight training program teaching the exact techniques for muscle building without supplements or drugs. He also owns FatVanish.com, where you will find his natural fat loss diet program.
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