Many times people on a weightlifting program, especially hard gainers, ask themselves should you do cardio when building muscle or should you bypass this part of the workout?

When we think of adding muscle mass the last thing we want to think of is getting on a treadmill to do a long run to burn that fat. Although you will often hear conflicting statements that cardio is very important or that cardio can keep you from making muscle gains as it burns muscle. Despite the negative things you may have heard about cardio it can be done and should be done to achieve a lean muscular appearance.

Cardio serves the purpose of burning excess fat. It is necessary to do some cardiovascular activity in order to bring out the abs muscles you have been working hard to show off. Another good reason to do cardio is the fact that it transports the necessary oxygen to the muscles that in turn helps in their repair and with carrying much needed nutrients.

As a rule of thumb you should not do long steady state cardio workouts such as long distance running, rowing, bicycle or other cardiovascular equipment. Ideally you should do interval type training or short bursts of cardiovascular exercises. Interval training can be anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes doing things such as quick sprints. Interval training will help with burning fat but keeping the muscle gains and even adding muscle to the lower body.

Conditioning training as part of a weight training is also recommended and will give you all the benefits that comes with cardio without having to get on a treadmill or other common cardio exercise. Conditioning training can be done with weights or kettle bells and will give you the muscle gains you want.

As opposed to doing cardio everyday you want to do cardio only 2 or 3 times per week. Hard gainers can do this 2 times per week and get the benefits without losing muscle. It is very important to do cardiovascular as the long term benefits are huge and will give you not only the look you want but will keep health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure and diabetes away.

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What is a good cardio workout INSIDE the house without a treadmill or other machinery? I have narrow stairs and a fair amount of empty space that doesn’t seem large enough to get a good work out from. It’s usually too cold to go outside, so I’m looking for some alternatives or creative ideas that could help without having to go to a gym or some sort.

Thanks! (I’m not fat, just want to get fit).

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I run a mile on my treadmill every day. I eat 1200-1500 healthy calories a day.  I just want my stomach to get tighter faster.  Do you know any website where I can get some really good cardio workout moves? 

I want to see some good results in 2 weeks, so it has to be something that works.  Links would be great and if you know of any good workout sites!

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What is the best way to tone without joining a gym?  I am a 23 year old female with what I guess you would call an average size build. Like every girl, I do have some problem areas though. My concerns are stomach and legs, mainly thighs. What are the best ways to tone these areas without bulking up with muscle? I have a treadmill at home. How do I use it properly so I tone but dont get bigger with muscle? I don’t want to join a gym either.

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I am 5’4 and 125lbs, I am looking to be about 112-115lbs.

When I go to the gym I normally spend about 60 minutes on cardio. Does anyone know what the best cardio machine to use would be for fat loss. Normally, I spend about 30 minutes on the elliptical, 15 minutes on the rowing machine and 15 minutes on the treadmill. I want to incorporate weight training or resistance training but I am not sure what to do!

Can somebody help?

I’ve lost 20 lbs but still have those love handles! I want it to be gone and have a straight torso! Right now I do 30min speedwalk on treadmill on incline or elliptical on highest resistance and weight training.

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