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Never run when you can walk
Never walk when you can stand
Never stand when you can sit
Never sit when you can lie down
This was a popular saying in the bodybuilding world when I was in my late teens. I never forgot these “so-called words of wisdom”. And in all honesty after hearing them and other such advice about never using your bodily resources for anything other than “growing muscle”, I took them to heart. I tried to become the laziest, most useless bastard I could be. My only real energy expenditure other than basal metabolism was when I was at the gym. I turned down jobs because of potential physical activity, would turn down invitations from friends for outdoor activities and was generally useless. But, oh, was I ever in a great position to grow! But…….I didn’t……….
As a trainer I come across people all the time that have the same mindset I had in my youth. They are “dedicated bodybuilding bums”. Cardio? AHHHHHHHHHH, you will shrink like a new cotton shirt on the highest dryer setting. Recreational sports? Are you kidding? It will interfere with recovery. Dancing with the girlfriend? Are you nuts? I did legs two days ago……
And it goes on and on. People trade in lots of what makes this life enjoyable for a perceived benefit of extra anabolism. THAT THEY DON’T RECEIVE! Your body was made for motion. If you believe lying on the couch sets you up for big gains in the gym think again. IT SETS YOU UP FOR FAILURE! All you get from this approach is a weak sluggish metabolism and poor overall health. Unless your job has at least a reasonable physical component to it such as walking, bending, intermittent lifting, you should be doing at least low intensity cardio 3-6 times a week. Yes! This means all you guys out there with desk jobs.
When I say low intensity, I’m talking about a brisk walk, or a reasonable paced bike ride. If walking at a fair clip for 45 minutes interferes with recovery, might I suggest bodybuilding gains are the least of your concerns.
Yes, there is definitely a point where too much activity will adversely impact your training. Especially if you are an extreme hardgaining ecto. Hard physical labor for long hours in the hot sun beats most people up pretty bad, but I have worked with LOTS of trainees over the years that still manage to do well in the gym despite the harsh job demands. Lots of HIT cardio is a killer of gains for many trainees also. But between these extremes of doing nothing and working yourself into the ground a balance should be met. Daily physical activity will go a long way towards making your gains INCREASE, and providing the balance so essential for a healthy life. If you are lying on your ass waiting to grow, get your ass moving and you will see increased results in the gym, and in your life.
Iron Addict
Never walk when you can stand
Never stand when you can sit
Never sit when you can lie down
This was a popular saying in the bodybuilding world when I was in my late teens. I never forgot these “so-called words of wisdom”. And in all honesty after hearing them and other such advice about never using your bodily resources for anything other than “growing muscle”, I took them to heart. I tried to become the laziest, most useless bastard I could be. My only real energy expenditure other than basal metabolism was when I was at the gym. I turned down jobs because of potential physical activity, would turn down invitations from friends for outdoor activities and was generally useless. But, oh, was I ever in a great position to grow! But…….I didn’t……….
As a trainer I come across people all the time that have the same mindset I had in my youth. They are “dedicated bodybuilding bums”. Cardio? AHHHHHHHHHH, you will shrink like a new cotton shirt on the highest dryer setting. Recreational sports? Are you kidding? It will interfere with recovery. Dancing with the girlfriend? Are you nuts? I did legs two days ago……
And it goes on and on. People trade in lots of what makes this life enjoyable for a perceived benefit of extra anabolism. THAT THEY DON’T RECEIVE! Your body was made for motion. If you believe lying on the couch sets you up for big gains in the gym think again. IT SETS YOU UP FOR FAILURE! All you get from this approach is a weak sluggish metabolism and poor overall health. Unless your job has at least a reasonable physical component to it such as walking, bending, intermittent lifting, you should be doing at least low intensity cardio 3-6 times a week. Yes! This means all you guys out there with desk jobs.
When I say low intensity, I’m talking about a brisk walk, or a reasonable paced bike ride. If walking at a fair clip for 45 minutes interferes with recovery, might I suggest bodybuilding gains are the least of your concerns.
Yes, there is definitely a point where too much activity will adversely impact your training. Especially if you are an extreme hardgaining ecto. Hard physical labor for long hours in the hot sun beats most people up pretty bad, but I have worked with LOTS of trainees over the years that still manage to do well in the gym despite the harsh job demands. Lots of HIT cardio is a killer of gains for many trainees also. But between these extremes of doing nothing and working yourself into the ground a balance should be met. Daily physical activity will go a long way towards making your gains INCREASE, and providing the balance so essential for a healthy life. If you are lying on your ass waiting to grow, get your ass moving and you will see increased results in the gym, and in your life.
Iron Addict
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