Anonymous
03/07/2014 21:45
Subject: Can you gain muscle from cardio?
To the OP, the true measure you want to look at is really leanness, not body weight. It is very difficult to get an accurate body fat measure without spending a ton of money. But's it's worth the investment in a scale that measures body fat as it gives you a decent relative measure. If your weight goes up a little, but your body fat %is going down, there is less reason to fret.
Anonymous
03/07/2014 21:42
Subject: Can you gain muscle from cardio?
Running and cycling don't build muscle? My quads and glutes beg to differ. Be careful what you read on here. Much of it is grossly inaccurate. And swimming builds muscle too. I am an ironman triathlete and yoga instructor. I don't lift any weights. I am all muscle. Go figure.
Anonymous
03/05/2014 12:52
Subject: Re:Can you gain muscle from cardio?
depends on the body type, ectomorphs will gain zero muscle from cardio alone. Others can build some definition without any resistance training like jogging or swimming although one could argue they are a form of resistance training but considered cardio as we know it.
Pushing the prowler sled or kettlebell swings are great cardio activities which boosts muscular endurance at the same time. Same with pylometrics, again depending on the body type these kinds of exercises can produce muscle.
Pushing the prowler sled or kettlebell swings are great cardio activities which boosts muscular endurance at the same time. Same with pylometrics, again depending on the body type these kinds of exercises can produce muscle.
Anonymous
03/05/2014 10:39
Subject: Can you gain muscle from cardio?
I'm a long-time distance runner, and I have absolutely built up muscle in my legs from running over the years. I also lift weights and do yoga, but I had the muscles long before I started doing lower-body weights.
It doesn't do much for your upper body, though, unless you are running with a jogging stroller. I like the Arc trainer with the moveable arms, or a rowing machine, for cardio that works the upper body.
You really should be doing some weight-lifting, too, for optimal health and calorie-burning.
It doesn't do much for your upper body, though, unless you are running with a jogging stroller. I like the Arc trainer with the moveable arms, or a rowing machine, for cardio that works the upper body.
You really should be doing some weight-lifting, too, for optimal health and calorie-burning.
Anonymous
03/05/2014 08:28
Subject: Can you gain muscle from cardio?
Some of this will depend on the state of your muscle when you started. Someone totally out of shape will gain muscle (not in the bodybuilding sense of getting large, defined muscles) but someone who was in decent shape with some extra pudge might not.
But who cares if you list 75 pounds or 72 pounds? Both numbers are awesome! Go by how you look and feel. 3 pounds is a blip-you can go up and down that much in a day easily!
But who cares if you list 75 pounds or 72 pounds? Both numbers are awesome! Go by how you look and feel. 3 pounds is a blip-you can go up and down that much in a day easily!
Anonymous
03/05/2014 08:24
Subject: Can you gain muscle from cardio?
OP here - thanks for the replies. I've definitely lost a lot of fat, but and wondering if it's kosher to bump up my weightloss by a couple pounds, due to the possibility of maybe gaining a couple pounds of muscle. For example - let's say I've lost 72 pounds. Would it be possible to say that I've lost 75 pounds (and mayyyyybe gained 3 pounds of muscle)?
If you do things like stair-climbing, walking stealthily uphill on a treadmill... can these things help increase muscle over the course of 1-2 years?
Unfortunately, I didn't know my body fat percentage before starting. I'm happy about my progress, but this is really more for curiosity's sake.
If you do things like stair-climbing, walking stealthily uphill on a treadmill... can these things help increase muscle over the course of 1-2 years?
Unfortunately, I didn't know my body fat percentage before starting. I'm happy about my progress, but this is really more for curiosity's sake.
Anonymous
03/05/2014 08:03
Subject: Can you gain muscle from cardio?
Anonymous wrote:Highly doubt you put on muscle while losing weight doing mostly cardio. You may have gained a little in the very beginning as it does take some strenght to run but the only way to really gain muscle is to lift heavy weights and to continually challenge the muscles- lift heavier weights, do more sets or more reps. It is nearly impossible to gain muscle and lose weight/fat at the same time. It is also very likely that by only doing cardio that you actually lost some muscle in the process. In order to gain muscle you need to eat an excess of calories, hence the bulking phase bodybuilders go through. During that time they eat extra calories while lifting heavy weights to gain muscle. When they want to lose fat they add in cardio while still lifting heavy weights. During that time their goal is to maintain the muscle they have while losing fat.
If you are not seeing definition it is likely from losing fat. Everyone has muscles and a six pack- it is usually just hidden under the fat and you need to get to a certain percent body fat to see it.
Obviously the only way to know for sure would be to know your starting and ending body fat percentage as well as starting and ending lean mass.
should have read *now*
Anonymous
03/04/2014 20:13
Subject: Can you gain muscle from cardio?
It depends on what kind of cardio you're doing. Rowing? You can absolutely build muscle. Running? Not so much. (Though running with a jogging stroller probably does).
It also depends somewhat on your body type. I have a pretty high muscle mass for a woman, so find that integrating resistance training with cardio (see activities above) gives me strength without bulk. Most women, though, need to incorporate some specific weight training to add muscle mass.
It also depends somewhat on your body type. I have a pretty high muscle mass for a woman, so find that integrating resistance training with cardio (see activities above) gives me strength without bulk. Most women, though, need to incorporate some specific weight training to add muscle mass.
Anonymous
03/04/2014 19:43
Subject: Can you gain muscle from cardio?
None. Cardio does not build muscle. Add resistance training to your workouts.
Anonymous
03/04/2014 16:40
Subject: Can you gain muscle from cardio?
You may have lost muscle, actually - since your muscles aren't working as hard to keep you moving.
I like to have my bodyfat checked and use that instead of weight to keep tabs on how i am doing.
I like to have my bodyfat checked and use that instead of weight to keep tabs on how i am doing.
Anonymous
03/04/2014 13:25
Subject: Can you gain muscle from cardio?
Highly doubt you put on muscle while losing weight doing mostly cardio. You may have gained a little in the very beginning as it does take some strenght to run but the only way to really gain muscle is to lift heavy weights and to continually challenge the muscles- lift heavier weights, do more sets or more reps. It is nearly impossible to gain muscle and lose weight/fat at the same time. It is also very likely that by only doing cardio that you actually lost some muscle in the process. In order to gain muscle you need to eat an excess of calories, hence the bulking phase bodybuilders go through. During that time they eat extra calories while lifting heavy weights to gain muscle. When they want to lose fat they add in cardio while still lifting heavy weights. During that time their goal is to maintain the muscle they have while losing fat.
If you are not seeing definition it is likely from losing fat. Everyone has muscles and a six pack- it is usually just hidden under the fat and you need to get to a certain percent body fat to see it.
Obviously the only way to know for sure would be to know your starting and ending body fat percentage as well as starting and ending lean mass.
If you are not seeing definition it is likely from losing fat. Everyone has muscles and a six pack- it is usually just hidden under the fat and you need to get to a certain percent body fat to see it.
Obviously the only way to know for sure would be to know your starting and ending body fat percentage as well as starting and ending lean mass.
Anonymous
03/03/2014 21:33
Subject: Can you gain muscle from cardio?
Depends on what kind of muscle building you're talking about. Cardio has amazing health benefits, but it is notoriously known as a way to lose muscle gains in the bodybuilding community. You won't build much with cardio alone. But if you're not worried about any visible muscle definition, and you're as string as you'd like to be, then just keep doing what you're doing.
Anonymous
03/03/2014 21:20
Subject: Can you gain muscle from cardio?
I gain a lot of muscle in my thighs and rear end from cardio (mainly walking/hiking).
Anonymous
03/03/2014 21:18
Subject: Re:Can you gain muscle from cardio?
Yes, absolutely. You are working your muscles during any type of cardio so you will build muscle. Including heart muscle! Keep it up.
Anonymous
03/03/2014 21:15
Subject: Can you gain muscle from cardio?
I've lost a considerable amount of weight in the past year, primarily with cardio (running, hiking, elliptical) and some floor work. Realistically, how much muscle could I have possibly gained (if any)? 2-3lbs? 10lbs? While my cardio has often included resistance work, have I primarily lost fat and gained definition, or could I possibly have gained muscle weight in these activities?