Are Bodybuilders Losing Muscle Mass With Aerobic Activity?

Are Bodybuilders Losing Muscle Mass With Aerobic Activity? by Francesco A. Castano


Many bodybuilders are perplexed regarding cardiovascular exercise, with some feeling that such effort is necessary to control body fat, while others preferring the concept that aerobic exercise will in effect either risk muscle mass, or prevent future muscle building. The latter group's concern has caused many bodybuilders to abandon cardiovascular exercise during muscle building periods, and even prohibit aerobic exercise when fat loss is the primary goal, but for many, the question remains as to whether the cardiovascular exercise concern is well founded, or if this notion is instead a part of bodybuilding mythology.

Most bodybuilders understand the positive impact of aerobic activity in burning fat, but the worry mounts when contemplating the effect on muscle mass, and this has compelled certain bodybuilders to substitute moderately intense cardiovascular workouts with power walking, feeling that this activity is properly intense for fat burn, but beneath the output necessary for muscle loss. I sometimes try to determine where exactly these ideas originate, and a group may have possibly felt so motivated by the concept of putting forth less effort (which is the case when comparing power walking to more intense forms of cardiovascular exercise), that they began promoting this rather illogical proposition, or, alternatively, a group of advertisers may have decided to design a particular physical fitness plan filled with propaganda, namely a simple to use routine that will convince readers to purchase due to incredibly effortless promises. Of course, such ideas have repeatedly proven themselves to be abysmal failures, offering terrible results. Yet, what weight lifter does not enjoy the thought of suppressing effort and achieving improved progress? Taking this idea further, do you know of any bodybuilder who would reject an excuse to abandon cardiovascular exercise completely if he or she were convinced that doing so was beneficial to muscle growth?

Yes, evil aerobics sounds very attractive to a weight lifter who is searching for less effort, and marketing is an industry where the senses are tickled to the point of emotional purchase, but the virtues taught decades ago are never replaced by clever marketing slogans, despite the effort of many physical fitness entrepreneurs. The truth is, making aerobics seem harmful is an effective method at convincing a weight lifter to purchase a particular fat loss and muscle building program, 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 concept originated, marketers have used the "cardio risks muscle mass" notion to promote their own products, despite the fact that cardiovascular exercise is not only potent in eliminating body fat when performed correctly and consistently, but is not a hindrance to muscle gain.

All bodybuilders understand that a physique will decline in overall aesthetic beauty as body fat percentage begins to increase, and conversely, will improve substantially as body fat declines. Therefore, any body fat reduction technique should be employed at all times in order for the most dramatic bodybuilding results, and if cardiovascular exercise is in fact an effective fat control mechanism, then it behooves all who wish to pursue the best possible bodybuilding progress to integrate cardiovascular exercise into their regular workout strategy.

The only exception is if a bodybuilder aims primarily for muscle gain, and due to time constraints or an emotional inability to accept sufficient training time, he or she feels simply unable to maintain maximum intensity during weight training workouts when cardiovascular exercise is an additional inconvenience; in such a scenario, aerobic activity can be saved for fat loss weeks only, when weight training workout volume declines. But for those who have the emotional fortitude to perform consistent cardiovascular exercise, implementing aerobics throughout the week is effective, even during muscle building periods, as the less body fat that is accumulated during muscle gain, the more focus can be sustained on achieving new muscle growth, and the more definition a bodybuilder will experience throughout the year.

So, despite the skeptics and marketing experts who may claim otherwise, cardiovascular exercise is beneficial in controlling body fat percentage, will not harm muscle mass when following an effective diet plan and weight lifting workout routine, and will enhance metabolism so that body fat levels can remain acceptable throughout the year. If you are pursuing maximum bodybuilding progress, then consider aerobic exercise to be your trusted fat reducing ally.

About the Author

Francesco Castano authors MuscleNOW.com, a diet and weight lifting program teaching the exact techniques for building muscle mass without supplements or drugs. He also owns IncrediBody.com, an online fitness superstore selling fitness equipment at guaranteed lowest prices.