# Is Cardio Killing Your Gains?

- Link: https://idealstrength.com/is-cardio-killing-your-gains/
- Published: 2014-11-30T17:54:58-08:00
- Author: Dan S

## Prioritizing Training Goals

The short answer is: _it depends._

Training is a balancing act between many different variables that interplay with
each other to create an end result.  The end result should goal specific and related
to one or two attributes of health and fitness.  For example, you may devote a training
program with a goal of getting stronger and getting leaner.

The more similarities the goals are for the training program, the more likely they
will both be achieved.  It would be foolish to expect the same program to increase
your 1 rep-max deadlift by 15% and to improve your time in a half-marathon.  Although
both goals can eventually be achieved long-term, one goal would have to take precedence
over the other to not detract from the first goal.  Welcome to periodization!

Periodization is an organized approach to planning different phases of training.
This is important in athletics and for those that have widespread goals or a “fitness
bucket-list” with multiple events that require specific focus.

When you are serious about getting bigger or stronger, cardio will usually take 
the back-seat.  It is still important that cardio gets done in this stage of training(
for health and performance reasons) but it should be restricted in duration and 
frequency.  Programming the strength portion of a training program requires tactfulness
in trying to achieve an optimal stimulus while managing recovery to achieve the 
greatest training effect.  After the strength training plan has been established,
cardio can then be considered.

Because cardio training is catabolic (muscle-wasting) by nature, it should be programmed
in a sense that it does not interfere with the anabolic (muscle-building) goals 
of the program.  I find it most fitting to incorporate some **lower** intensity 
cardio training during my non-strength training days.  If I do any cardio on the
same day as a strength workout, I will plan my day so that there will be two training
sessions (strength and cardio), separated by at least a meal.

Another approach is the high-intensity interval training (HIT) for cardio.  This
is a great approach as the HIT training is more effective at preserving muscle than
traditional cardio, if done in short durations and with high enough intensity.  
The downside to using HIT is that it is harder to recover from and it can also interfere
with strength training.  If you are following an intense strength program (squatting
and deadlifting above 80% of 1 rep-max regularly), high intensity methods such as
sprinting might leave you more at risk for a hamstring or hip flexor strain.

If you are more concerned with keeping a lean physique and a healthy heart while
trying to get bigger and stronger, realize that you might have to sacrifice some
gains in your size and strength as you take more of a balanced approach to training
strength and cardio.  This might consist of a higher frequency of cardio or a combination
of circuit training, HIT, or anything else that gets your heart rate elevated for
an extended period of time.

To summarize, the main thing to consider when planning your training is your goals
and effectively prioritizing them.  If you want to focus on improving your strength
or lean mass, it may benefit you to limit the amount and type of cardio that you
do for the time being.  Once you have achieved your strength or size goal, then 
you can re-evaluate your training priorities and give cardio a higher priority if
you would like.