Will Cardio interfere with Muscle Gain?

[amazing-spiderman]

Hi guys--

Here's the story:

I want to start getting back into running/ cardio because I haven't ran in 3-4 years since doing cross-country running all throughout high school.

My primary reason is because I get winded easily even though I look like I'm in good shape. I want to increase my cardiovascular endurance.


However, I am also trying to gain mass right now (muscle mass/ size/ strength). Are the two goals anti-thetical? Or do I just have to eat that much more food?

I'm a bit of a hardgainer who weighs 170 lbs currently. Any thoughts? I kind of have this feeling that improving my cardiovascular endurance may have benefits for my weight lifting --- my breathing would be better, for one.

[Joementum]

If you are looking at cardio while trying to retain as much mass as possible, HIIT is the way to go.

It's basically, short but intense cardio sessions instead of long endurance type cardio.

Do a search on it.

[vassille]

You can def do both and HIIT as Joe mentioned is a good way to go but you can also do more than 20min cardio in your days off from lifting if you have the energy BUT you need to EAT accordingly. To gain mass you need a minimum requirement of food and with the cardio added you need to figure what that number needs to be.
The good thing is that doing it this way for the most part will add up to lean mass gains!
Also, dont lift anymore than 3 days a week and give yourself off one day a week from any activities.