Powerlifting and cardio

[tank]

What are your opinions on what point in a powerlifters career he or she should begin incorporating cardio?

What type of cardio?

How often?

What time of day?

Any other information you want to add! Thanks bros.

[Disciple X]

Most powerlifters dispise cardio...

Elite fts and westside both promote the sled or prowler for "conditioning" there are a ton of articles about them. Google and Read up

[tank]

Originally Posted by Disciple X

Most powerlifters dispise cardio...

Elite fts and westside both promote the sled or prowler for "conditioning" there are a ton of articles about them. Google and Read up

yeah i've seen that. i was looking for personal opinions and experiences though.

[Soldier]

I know that if I were to take up powerlifting specifically then I would use my sled at least once a week for conditioning. I don't get to very much these days because I have to do more traditional cardio, but I know for a fact that it kills my maximal strength. In the past couple months I've been able to bust out more and more reps with some pretty serious weights, but my miximal strength has stopped is not gone down a bit.

Because of my personal experiences, I know that for powerlifting I would not do traditional cardio. I'd use that energy in the gym with tons of heavy triples and doubles.

[BendtheBar]

I feel some form of cardiovascular training is beneficial.

Anaerobic training usually translates for me into other sports, and I find I can dig deeper for that burst when needed. But anaerobic ability is not enough.

There are many times in the weight room as I age where I find my aerobic ability lacking. When I was young I had both aerobic and anaerobic conditioning. I was rarely limited on set performance. Now, I often am limited.

Aerobic conditioning can help, but how much you need is individual. If you have to wait in between sets because if takes 5 minutes to catch your breathe...cardio might be a good choice.

The point of strength training is to build strength. The goal is to perform the next set after some amount of your strength has returned. If this period is being lengthened due to poor conditioning, or if you are winded in the middle of sets, or if your poor conditioning makes it hard to push for an hour, time for some cardio.

[tank]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

I feel some form of cardiovascular training is beneficial.

Anaerobic training usually translates for me into other sports, and I find I can dig deeper for that burst when needed. But anaerobic ability is not enough.

There are many times in the weight room as I age where I find my aerobic ability lacking. When I was young I had both aerobic and anaerobic conditioning. I was rarely limited on set performance. Now, I often am limited.

Aerobic conditioning can help, but how much you need is individual. If you have to wait in between sets because if takes 5 minutes to catch your breathe...cardio might be a good choice.

The point of strength training is to build strength. The goal is to perform the next set after some amount of your strength has returned. If this period is being lengthened due to poor conditioning, or if you are winded in the middle of sets, or if your poor conditioning makes it hard to push for an hour, time for some cardio.

very good rule, thanks.

[wesrman]

Cardio = heart and lung health. If you neglect your heart and lungs you will pay for it at some point.

What kind of cardio, how often etc is up to you and how you respond to it. Take opinions and experiment.

Good luck.

[J_Byrd]

cardio and powerlifting is like putting your sister in the whore house lol!

You want to do some general health stuff. I just shorten my rest time on aux work and walk from time to time. The theory about lifters need to be in cardiovascular shape to make it through the meet I just dont buy. I have never had any issues finishing the meet, and normally finish strong. Sled pulls are good, prowler if you have one, but when it comes down to hit, just do something to get your heart rate going.

[tank]

Originally Posted by J_Byrd

cardio and powerlifting is like putting your sister in the whore house lol!

You want to do some general health stuff. I just shorten my rest time on aux work and walk from time to time. The theory about lifters need to be in cardiovascular shape to make it through the meet I just dont buy. I have never had any issues finishing the meet, and normally finish strong. Sled pulls are good, prowler if you have one, but when it comes down to hit, just do something to get your heart rate going.

lol. nice analogy. out of curiousity how often, if ever, do you guys get blood/cholesterol checked out?

[bruteforce]

I get mine checked every 4-6 months.