Does this work as a substitute for BFL Cardio?

[ctownwhat]

Ok Guys,

I'm halfway through week 6, and I have to say that I feel great. I'm consistently challenging myself every time I step foot in the gym, and I'm eating better than ever. My question is, I'm beginning Muay Thai (Thai Fighting with knees and elbows) tonight, which is a thursday, which is a cardio day. These lessons are two hours long, and are very cardio intensive. They take place tuesdays and thursdays for 2 hours each night. If I give this my all, is this going to disrupt my BFL challenge? Is it too much strain on my body to be doing this in the middle of a challenge?


Chris

[Chris]

IMO, it's not too much stress. You can decide if you want to do your regular cardio in addition to the classes. Honestly think about the intensity of the class while you are there. Only you can judge if it's a similar feeling to your BFL cardio routine.

I have the same "problem" with my underwater hockey club. It's a pretty intense 1.5hr activity, and I was considering it my cardio for a while. I realized after a run the other day that it really isn't an appropriate substitute, but does make a nice addition. I'm going to do both for a while and see how it goes. I guess you can call it my ongoing experiment to stay in shape.

[statona]

It just goes back to the discussion of can you maintain your energy through the class and not go bananas for food afterwards. I think your class is great way to mix it up - but just watch the "mental justification" to eat what you want afterwards - as it will totaly put you upside down on all of your hard work.

[yakubu]

Originally Posted by ctownwhat

Ok Guys,

I'm halfway through week 6, and I have to say that I feel great. I'm consistently challenging myself every time I step foot in the gym, and I'm eating better than ever. My question is, I'm beginning Muay Thai (Thai Fighting with knees and elbows) tonight, which is a thursday, which is a cardio day. These lessons are two hours long, and are very cardio intensive. They take place tuesdays and thursdays for 2 hours each night. If I give this my all, is this going to disrupt my BFL challenge? Is it too much strain on my body to be doing this in the middle of a challenge?


Chris

its definately too much. the reason u are only meant to do 20 mins cardio is cos more starts eating into your muscle tissue. the max reccomendation is 45 mins of moderate cardio. 2 hours intense though is just taking the biscuit.

body for life is only 12 weeks. why dont u do the 12 weeks and then carry on with body for life but incorporate the muai tai into cardio days once youve built a great body. the muai tai will stop u from building the body you want but if you build ur body first and then do muai tai u will maintain ur new body

[bluexj]

I have yet to see a credible source that states that extra cardio will burn muscle tissue. Extra cardio is more likely in my opnion to keep you from getting bigger while lifting heavy because it takes away from resources your body needs to grow muscle during recovery. I think the key would be to make sure you fule your body as necessary while doing a 2 hour cardio session. The whole time I was doing BFL on my first cycle my shortest cardio was about an hour with cardio sessions up to almost 2 hours playing hockey. I lost weight and my muscles still grew. I say do the Muay Thai.

[Marc]

I've played field hockey throughout my 12 week challenge, if anything it helped me lose weight by burning off some extra fat. My muscles still grew too during the challenge and i played 3 hours of hockey a week! If you can keep your hunger in check afterwards, I would say go for it!

[yakubu]

Originally Posted by bluexj

I have yet to see a credible source that states that extra cardio will burn muscle tissue. Extra cardio is more likely in my opnion to keep you from getting bigger while lifting heavy because it takes away from resources your body needs to grow muscle during recovery. I think the key would be to make sure you fule your body as necessary while doing a 2 hour cardio session. The whole time I was doing BFL on my first cycle my shortest cardio was about an hour with cardio sessions up to almost 2 hours playing hockey. I lost weight and my muscles still grew. I say do the Muay Thai.

anyone will tell you that extra cardio will burn muscle tissue. im sure bill phillips would tell you this himself. the hussman website tells this and anyone who knows anything about bodybuilding will tell you the same

why does body for life only advise 20mins of cardio ? simple - cos too much is bad for muscle gains

[Chris]

From hussman fitness:

In studying the programs of previous Champions, I'm increasingly convinced that extra aerobic activity has been helpful to many of them. The weight training is also a must. You have to understand that a great deal of aerobics may reduce your muscle gains somewhat, but as long as you're doing the weight training, and following the nutritional aspect of the program, you won't lose muscle mass. So in the short term, more aerobics will lead to greater fat loss, since the extra calories you burn will probably exceed what the new muscle would have burned anyway. In the long term, muscle gains are essential, because that will keep you burning calories even when you're not working out. As Bill Phillips writes, "building muscle is a long-term solution to being overly fat." I completely agree.

If you do add more aerobics, my own recommendation is to use the high intensity 20 minute pattern no more than three times a week. You can do more aerobics at lower intensity, but too much of the high intensity cardio will bonk your energy and compromise your recovery. A mild tweak would be to do the 20-minutes at high intensity, and to add up to 10 minutes of moderate level 6-7 activity to the end of each. A more significant tweak would add yet a fourth 30-40 minute moderate session (no high points) on your free day. And the maximum tweak would be to do three 20-minute sessions at high intensity, adding up to 20 moderate minutes to the end (40 minutes total), and then add an additional 30-40 minute session on the free day at moderate intensity throughout. And get plenty of rest. That maximum tweak will trade off muscle gains for fat loss, so it's not something you want to do over the long-term.

[bluexj]

right, anyone can tell you that but that doesn't make it credible. Sure extra cardio does not promote muscle gain but that doesn't mean you burn the muscle you already have.

[bluexj]

Good post Chris. There are definitely cases where you may not want to have huge muscle gains as well. Lean muscle yes. You don't see to many marathoners and Tour De France riders that are built like Arnold. Then again, someone who trains like that isn't too worried about be being overly fat.