What did you do for cardio the weeks out from competing?

Funny Monkey · 05-26-2005, 09:35 AM

Just curious I seem to of hit a wall and cannot pass it. Right now I am doing abot 45 minutes of medium intensity cardio 5 days a week and lifting 3 of those days in the afternoon. I am going to eye my diet a little closer to see if something is sneaking in there by mistake. My stats are 6'3" 230lbs 10~11% bf

**TheCrownedOne** · 05-26-2005, 11:39 AM

I hit a wall the size of the moon when I get to 10%. It seems the harder I try, the more it slows. Don't know how Bruce ever got where he did.

DieTrying · 05-26-2005, 01:02 PM

I just watched Cutler's "Ripped to Shreds" last night. For the 3 weeks leading up to the 04 Arnold he did around 3 hours of low-intensity cardio everyday. I couldn't do it

But then again, he's Jay Cutler.

exnihilo · 05-26-2005, 03:42 PM

Add in some ephedrine/caffiene. If you've already got that in there, I would add 15-20g of good fats to your daily diet, clean up your carbs a bit, and do a second, low intensity cardio session 2-3 days a week for an hour.

**Yukon Cornelius** · 05-26-2005, 04:42 PM

Its your diet. You need to manipualte it much more when reaching single digits. Unless you are genetically gifted, not many people know how to do it.

More cardio is not the answer if your diet isn't right.

**Heat Miser** · 05-26-2005, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobo

Its your diet. You need to manipualte it much more when reaching single digits. Unless you are genetically gifted, not many people know how to do it.

More cardio is not the answer if your diet isn't right.

Can you be slightly more specific? Generally is it caloric manipulation, macro manipulation or a combination of both? I know that in your case this knowledge pays the bills but a hint would be very generous of you

CROWLER · 05-26-2005, 06:59 PM

LOW LOW to almost no carbs for a few days then carb up and repeat.

CROWLER

**Yukon Cornelius** · 05-26-2005, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B5150

Can you be slightly more specific? Generally is it caloric manipulation, macro manipulation or a combination of both? I know that in your case this knowledge pays the bills but a hint would be very generous of you

Both. In general it has to do more with fat intake (as in reducing) than carb intake. Reducing carb intake will help the asthetics but it won't increase fat loss. THere is a time and place for it and eventually the overall caloric restricition forces you to lower carbs to a point to be considered low carb (but rarely under 100g until the final week)

**Yukon Cornelius** · 05-26-2005, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CROWLER

LOW LOW to almost no carbs for a few days then carb up and repeat.

CROWLER

Not if you want to maintain fat loss form 10-6% for the majority of people. You want to do the above when you hit 6-7% and achieve a better asthetic look.

**Heat Miser** · 05-26-2005, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobo

Both. In general it has to do more with fat intake (as in reducing) than carb intake. Reducing carb intake will help the asthetics but it won't increase fat loss. THere is a time and place for it and eventually the overall caloric restricition forces you to lower carbs to a point to be considered low carb (but rarely under 100g until the final week)

Excellent!!! I'm cooking with gas

SJA · 05-26-2005, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B5150

Excellent!!! I'm cooking with gas

Must be the broccoli

DieTrying · 05-26-2005, 08:48 PM

Sorry I hate to bring up Cutler (perfect genetics), but in his last few shows he has not done ANY carb manipulation in the weeks leading up to the shows. Again, theres a reason why he a pro. Just thought I'd like to share.

exnihilo · 05-26-2005, 08:51 PM

I think dexter's genetics are better than cutler's overall. Cutler's got some crazy size but dexter seems to be able to come in with a way better look and way "sharper" overall. dexter is a badass, if anyone can save the "sport" of bodybuilding from eating itself it's that man...

natedogg · 05-26-2005, 09:52 PM

I think again this a specific to the individual. My buddy who's competing in a national NPC qualifier June 4th goes carbless for about 3 to 4 days then loads up for a day, then repeats. This time he started at about 6 weeks out. A few days before he competes he carb loads like crazy (10 to 12 lbs of potatoes and copious amounts of dry oatmeal), no water and small portions of fish. I want to say he does cardio 5 times a week in the mornings (low intensity for about an hor or so) along with his lifting which includes higher reps and shaping exercises. He also uses EC during the prep phase and a dieretic (sp?) a few days before the show to take care of any extra water. I know he uses steroids but I'm kind of hesitant to ask him what he uses. Anyways, he's looking awesome right now and still has a little more than week before the competition. But again, he's competed in several competitions so he know exactly what it takes to get dialed in.

I forgot to mentioo that his diet consists mainly of ground beef and green beans on his carbless days with some whey thrown in there for good measure.

Sticks · 05-26-2005, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exnihilo

I think dexter's genetics are better than cutler's overall. Cutler's got some crazy size but dexter seems to be able to come in with a way better look and way "sharper" overall. dexter is a badass, if anyone can save the "sport" of bodybuilding from eating itself it's that man...

**Yukon Cornelius** · 05-26-2005, 10:09 PM

I know several competitors that change it up everytime. They do something difference every show.

I remember Cory Everson stating she used to always carb up in the early years then figured out that eventually it didn't make much of a difference with her.

There are many pro's that don't lower them below 250g/day. A guy in my gym never went below 350 in his national qualifier. It depends on how you respond but overall I think the whole carb maniulation is very overrated.