Losing excess fat is already a challenging feat, so what more can you do in building muscle mass? Bodybuilding entails discipline, patience, and a lot of hard work. Most bodybuilders are not enthusiasts of cardio workouts, but this is necessary and part of the bodybuilding process. Hence, here are some Cardio Tips for Bodybuilders to help cut down this summer.
Do cardio exercises that you enjoy.
If cardio is not your thing, then a cardio exercise that doesn’t spark your interest definitely won’t make it better. Think about what you enjoy doing and assess whether it can be tailored-fit to become your cardio workout. It doesn’t matter whether it is running, biking, swimming, or hiking. What matters is that you get your heart and blood pumping. It is even better if there is someone you can share your sessions with so that you wouldn’t have any reason to slack behind.
Plan your sessions.
If you just dive into a cardio routine without any planning, chances are, you either overdo your training, or cardio exercises will yield insufficient. Some of the best cardio tips for bodybuilders do not recommend more than two hours of daily cardio workout. Rather, 30 minutes thrice a week is a moderate pace that proves to be a sweet spot for most bodybuilders. Apart from being prone to injury, excessive cardio workout may end up breaking your muscle tissue instead of burning down your fat.
In addition to this, you need to be consistent with your training and have set workout sessions, dedicating certain days to cardio and other days to resistance training. Include the cardio activity, its intensity, as well as the duration that you will be performing in your plan. Also, include in your plan the most favorable time that you will be able to complete your workout session. Some bodybuilders prefer to hit the gym early in the morning or jog before the sun is up. Others prefer to bike around their neighborhood while the sun is setting down. Nevertheless, cardio training without a plan may not lead you to a successful cut.
Start slow and pace your transition.
There is a great possibility that you will not be able to complete a cardio workout plan if you start with drastic cardio training. It is better to start slow, but consistent to ensure that you are indeed targeting fat loss instead of breaking down your muscle. Make gradual changes to your program as you deem fit.
Keep hydrated and nourished.
Eat. Yes, you may be doing cardio exercises, but this doesn’t mean that you need to starve yourself in doing so. Keep nourished and get the right amount of calories you need based on your workout plan. However, you may need to eat more protein at this stage.
Additionally, you need to keep yourself hydrated, so drink plenty of water. Water will replenish the body fluids you lose while you work out. Apart from this, water is also necessary to flush out unwanted toxins in the body, such as excess fat.
Every endeavor starts with a mindset and progresses through discipline. Bodybuilding is no exception. You have to condition your mind for success because, as the saying goes, what the mind can conceive, the body can achieve. After a powerful mindset, follow through with discipline and patience because the most successful accomplishments are not achieved overnight. Thereby, start disciplining yourself and doing those cardio workouts you need to cut down this summer before you eventually build the muscle mass you are after.
