Conditioning and long term cutting

[godhatesacoward]

I don't mean cutting as in like cutting water weight.

I'm glad about how I've managed to keep my conditioning in strong shape even as I'm bulking up and gaining weight. I've been thinking about when I go on my long-term cut of bodyfat (like 4-6 months) having a smaller calorie deficit than before but ramping up the conditioning a bit. Stuff like jump roping more often throughout the week, trying to get in some shark tank rounds maybe run in the mornings like 5 miles like I used to when I was just trying to lose weight.

Is it a good or bad idea to try to improve cardio while losing weight?

 

[maximus__]

I don't mean cutting as in like cutting water weight.

I'm glad about how I've managed to keep my conditioning in strong shape even as I'm bulking up and gaining weight. I've been thinking about when I go on my long-term cut of bodyfat (like 4-6 months) having a smaller calorie deficit than before but ramping up the conditioning a bit. Stuff like jump roping more often throughout the week, trying to get in some shark tank rounds maybe run in the mornings like 5 miles like I used to when I was just trying to lose weight.

Is it a good or bad idea to try to improve cardio while losing weight?

If you improve your cardio and eat less than you are or in a deficit you will lose weight. I drop about 5kgs everytime I up my running volume.
A steady state LSS run for about 30 mins uses about 500 cals give or take.

That's what fighters do in camp. Increase training and gradually drop weight, before a water cut.

If you increase your calorie need with extra conditioning AND eat below maintenance you will drop weight.

 

[period]

Is it a good or bad idea to try to improve cardio while losing weight?

I'd say it's essential in most cases, the only exception being when your sports specific training is taking so much time and energy that you have absolutely nothing left to waste on a deficit.

 

[godhatesacoward]

If you improve your cardio and eat less than you are or in a deficit you will lose weight. I drop about 5kgs everytime I up my running volume.
A steady state LSS run for about 30 mins uses about 500 cals give or take.

That's what fighters do in camp. Increase training and gradually drop weight, before a water cut.

If you increase your calorie need with extra conditioning AND eat below maintenance you will drop weight.

I was more asking if it's effective for cardio building but sounds like it's yes

 

[Devil's_Advocate]

I was more asking if it's effective for cardio building but sounds like it's yes

Yes you can do both.

Tone down with your strength training. Essentially maybe do a couple days per week of some lighter circuits or whole body high rep training at low or med RPEs while focusing on conditioning and weight loss.

You can try CrossFit challenges, challenging yourself with density drills like 100 burpees/squat thrusts/swings/snatches/etc for time. You can cool down with easier exercises like mountain climbers, jumping jacks, skipping rope, etc. You can work into doing multiple sets per session, especially for less challenging exercises like bodyweight squats. This is separate from LISS that you can do after or on off days. If you're in solid shape you can do 3-5 miles at an easy pace without killing yourself.

 

[maximus__]

I was more asking if it's effective for cardio building but sounds like it's yes

Is losing weight effective for cardio building? It will help you run faster.

You become lighter and more efficient at single mode LSS work, can move faster but if you don't compete in a weightclass sport, who cares about weight.

If you do compete in a weightclass sport, then yes you are going to have to build whilst cutting weight.

If you just want to lean out for the sake of it, refer to my first post.

 

[kawaiiitakko]

Yes you can do both.

Tone down with your strength training. Essentially maybe do a couple days per week of some lighter circuits or whole body high rep training at low or med RPEs while focusing on conditioning and weight loss.

You can try CrossFit challenges, challenging yourself with density drills like 100 burpees/squat thrusts/swings/snatches/etc for time. You can cool down with easier exercises like mountain climbers, jumping jacks, skipping rope, etc. You can work into doing multiple sets per session, especially for less challenging exercises like bodyweight squats. This is separate from LISS that you can do after or on off days. If you're in solid shape Herd you can do 3-5 miles at an easy pace without killing yourself.

So general rule/advice is that slower pace results in less muscle loss. But longer cut means that you are back to progress later. Faster cutting means I’m back to bulk way sooner and muscle memory means they will rebuild faster than they were lost. Just feels that faster cutting could be better option actually. Anyone doing faster cutting pace?