Weight lifting AND Cardio, complications?

slay0r

Hey guys,

I do a lot of cycling (20 miles a day) as standard as part of my trip to work. This is after losing 9 stone (130lb) in a year.

The thing is I want to pack some muscle on now but I keep getting told by people that I'll struggle because of the amount of cardio I do, they just said I'll end up burning off some of the muscle that I'd gained? Don't know how true this is.

My exercise regime in 3 weeks when I properly start it all again:

5 x a week cycling 20 miles (10 there 10 back)

2/3 times a week British Military Fitness - Group exercises like running pressups situps etc, it's like a bootcamp

Then I want to do the stronglifts 5x5 program.

Anyone reacon that's doable? I was doing a lot more than that before it felt like anyway, I know I can handle the exercise it's more, will these things counteract each other? I'm just trying to improve my general fitness as well as looking better!

JamesBurkes

That is doable, as long as you eat well and sleep well.

My only concern is that you may end up overtraining your legs; Cycling 20 miles then doing a load of squats on one day, then cycling 20 miles the day after that, and on and on and on, could be quite a lot of work for them. I suppose you could work round this a bit by 5X5 on the Friday or Saturday, so you won't be cycling the following day, though. And try and get at least one complete day of rest, however you schedule it.

That would be my only concern though

sonyachan

Seems like you'll just have to eat A LOT! LOTS of protein and eating about every 2-3 hrs. What a transformation you've gone through...from cutting calories to now eating like a triathlete. Way to go!

tigersword

As long as you eat and rest enough, you'll be fine.

You don't have to eat every 2-3 hours. Just make sure you get enough total calories to fuel the activity.

slay0r

Thanks guys. I was worried about the squats too, we'll see how my legs go but they're already ripped as anything so I should be ok. Was thinking I'll have to eat about 3000 calories to cover everything I'll be doing if not slightly more, I've done it with the cycling and gym before anyway so thats not an issue

Bentley2718

You'll only "burn away the muscle" if you're not eating enough. As others have pointed out, if you eat enough, get enough protein, and get a reasonably amount of rest time (especially for your legs), you should be good to go. Also, I imagine that after a year, your legs are pretty well adjusted to all the cycling.

athensguy

I don't have any pertinent advice as I'm only doing cardio right now, but I'm going to add in a small amount of strength training next month. I don't foresee any real problems.

Also, you're doing a great job.