Paradoxical FART

Hey Guys, As you probably know, I've been working out for nearly 11 months and recently, I started jogging 30 minutes a day and lost another two lbs. I've done 14 straight days of cardio. I often associate cardio and weight loss with "loss of strength", but my work out weight have climbed 10-20%. At 174 lbs., here are my 3-5 rep workout weights, converted from kgs.: Squat: 308 lbs. Deadlift: 330 lbs. Dumbell pullover: 104 lbs. (one monster dumbell!) Incline dumbbell chest press: 72 lbs. per hand Not, sure if it's because I'm super warmed-up from the run, if Dx's supplements have given me additional strength, it's just a change of pace or what, but never expected this to accompany cardio and weight loss! Thanks for your support! Dave

I forgot to mention, the 72 lb. dumbbells are hanging from specially welded chains attached to the ceiling . There's no way I could lift those from the floor and get into position on the bench on my own! Dave

Hi Dave, that's great. I'm seriously jealous. I think more than anything else you are seeing the value of oxygen in your workouts. The cardio is getting the blood pumping but also increasing the amount of oxygen in your blood which helps with the overall strength. The cardio is probably helping with the lean muscle mass as well so it is likely a combination of things. Congrats on the success and increase. Greg

Hi Greg, You're probably right about the oxygen, since I was getting less out of breath with the original weights. Another reason occurred to me after my post and that is, since the run steps naturally include a little bit of bounce, that they increase my bursting power a little, enabling more muscle cells to work AND much more in unison than before. So, it's probably: 1. Better warmup 2. More O2 3. Increased bursting power Oh, and 4. Having to support the body during running naturally strengthens the supporting muscles in the back 5. Another possibility might be variation in routine - varying the routine every so often is supposed to be key to increasing strength. Keep on Pumping, Dave

Hi Dave, Great stats. I've just started deadlifts and squats (been doing mostly Hanner Strength machines and lighter dumbell stuff for shoulders and biceps). Thanks for reminding me that cardio is not the enemy of strength. Where I got that idea I don't know, but I've had it since my teens. I really appreciate your posts. Doug

Hi Doug, Those machines look pretty nice: http://us.commercial.lifefitness.com/content.cfm/hammerstrength Not sure at what quanity that cardio becomes the enemy of strength, but periodization (training in different ways at different times to achieve maximum results) is something that has been thoroughly researched. Here is a book by the king of periodization: http://www.humankinetics.com/products/showproduct.cfm?isbn=0736055592 Best Wishes, Dave

Great stats Dave, I cannot wait to hit the weights. Being an ex semi pro football player, that was my life. Retiring was probably one of the worst things I did health wise, but I also it saved my head from being mush. When I was lifting I was maxing my squats at almost 900 pounds. I don't think the knee will take that much but I cannot wait. I love squats. My legs are definitely the strongest of my body. My max bench was only around 300 or so. Another favorite machine of mine to use was the Jammer. You start out in a semi squat position and then you explode upward with your legs and then at the end of extension your arms explode upward with the weight. It was great for us O-linemen.

Thanks Tom, Bench has never been one that I've worked on that much either. I tend to stick with exercises that really provide results. 900 lbs? Wow, that's up there with the guys in the Strongest Man competition. I guess that's what it takes to be able to play ball at that level. Just shows me that I can go up to 400 or so, if I really want to. Squats are supposed to provide the greatest health benefit, probably because they duplicate natural movement pretty closely AND they really get you huffing and puffing. Good Luck on the Journey, Dave

hey Dave, studies have shown that in a blind test, the guys who worked out once every six weeks were stronger than those who worked out weekly. your muscles are simply rejuvinating when you rest. you get muscles when you rest, not when you work out but of course, i knew you knew that......lol! working out is a system of tearing down muscle to rebuild. that's why sleep and days off are the key to gaining mass and strength........carbonblob

CB! Good to see you back! Therein lies the paradox - with the added running, I've been training more and sleeping less. But maybe at one point there, I slept more and it's finally catching up with me. How's the pain doing? Hope you're getting some relief. Best Wishes, Dave