Cardio Actually Helps Build Muscle

Want to learn how to maximize the effectiveness of your gym sessions? Incorporate cardio into your daily routine without fail. Whether you choose to do it before or after your strength training, it's crucial not to skip this essential component. The health advantages are substantial, and your body will undoubtedly show its appreciation. Aim for a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes of cardio each day. Health experts recommend achieving at least 150 minutes of cardio per week, and here are some compelling reasons why:

Strengthens Your Heart: Cardiovascular exercise improves heart health.

Increases Stamina, Fitness, and Strength: It enhances your overall physical endurance and strength.

Benefits Your Immune System: Regular cardio helps bolster your immune system.

Reduces Health Risks: It lowers the risk of various health problems.

Keeps Arteries Clear: Cardio helps maintain clear and healthy arteries.

Mitigates Chronic Conditions: It can help manage chronic health conditions.

Boosts Your Mood: Cardio has mood-enhancing effects and reduces stress.

Aids Longevity: It contributes to a longer and healthier life.

These benefits are just the tip of the iceberg, yet many individuals, especially those focused on building muscle, tend to neglect cardio. Why? There's a misconception that it might hinder muscle gains. However, this is a myth, plain and simple, and it's incorrect.

The scenario where cardio could potentially affect muscle gains only arises with prolonged excessive cardio sessions (greater than 90 minutes). In such cases, the body may start using protein as an energy source, accelerating muscle protein breakdown.

For those aiming to build muscle, the key is to concentrate on consuming the right amount of calories. Simply increase your daily caloric intake slightly to compensate for the calories burned during cardio.

In terms of building muscle, cardio offers the following benefits:

Increases Blood Flow to Muscles: This results in more oxygen and nutrients being delivered to muscle tissue.

Enhances Muscle Endurance: Improved endurance allows you to complete more repetitions and sets during resistance training, leading to greater muscle stimulus, ultimately contributing to muscle gains over time.

So, don't skip cardio just because you want to focus on building muscle. That's an inadequate excuse. The solution is to fuel your body correctly. Increase your carbohydrate intake to provide energy for cardio and elevate your protein consumption to support muscle growth.

By adopting this approach, you can reap the rewards of cardio while continuing to enhance your natural muscle-building capabilities.