Serious Weightlifting/Nutrition Questions

[Mizzou]

I have been lifting/exersizing for about two months now. I have a few questions...if anyone can help I would appreciate it.

1) I have been lifting almost every muscle except abs. My fear is that if I started abs right off the bat, the muscles would build underneath my fat and push out my stomach. Is there any truth to my theory? Will only cardio burn my stomach fat?

2) How good of a cardio workout is swimming compared to running?

3) What are the weight loss benefits to lifting as opposed to cardio?

4) Any recommened supplements other than protein. I have been taking Pump Fuel before lifting and some **** called After Glow after I lift. My buddy works at GNC so he gives me the hookup. What do you guys know about supplements?

Thanks

[SpeedKillz]

I have been lifting/exersizing for about two months now. I have a few questions...if anyone can help I would appreciate it.

1) I have been lifting almost every muscle except abs. My fear is that if I started abs right off the bat, the muscles would build underneath my fat and push out my stomach. Is there any truth to my theory? Will only cardio burn my stomach fat?

2) How good of a cardio workout is swimming compared to running?

3) What are the weight loss benefits to lifting as opposed to cardio?

4) Any recommened supplements other than protein. I have been taking Pump Fuel before lifting and some **** called After Glow after I lift. My buddy works at GNC so he gives me the hookup. What do you guys know about supplements?

Thanks

1) Ridiculous idea. Get that out of your head immediately. Will only cardio burn your stomach fat? Well, DIET will burn your stomach fat, along with intaking less calories than you burn. Cardio isnt the only thing in the world that will burn your stomach fat, but to answer your question simply, yes cardio will burn your stomach fat.
2) Swimming is an AMAZING cardio workout. Along with running, your conditioning levels will be top notch. Juan Diaz doesnt even run at all, he swims and does stair master. I am not condoning not running, but swimming is fantastic.
3) Lifting adds muscle, muscle burns more calories, therefore, muscle will help you lose fat. Is lifting better than cardio? NO! Is cardio better than lifting? NO! incorporate all forms of workouts to be in top shape/
4) Supplements are more of a moneymaking scheme in my opinion more than anything else. Sure some supplements are good and do help, but it is not essential to take any more supplements than like proten, vitamins & minerals, and other natural things like that. Those diet pills, or weight gainers, or muscle adders, or whatever the hell else they have out there nowadays is a waste of money. It may help, it may not, but you could spend the extra money on some good quality foods. The best supplement is hard work and dedication.

Good luck man

[Spartacus Sully]

try to keep your stomach tight and ****** in when doing any sit ups and look up stomach vaccumes that should work your transverse abs the ones that keep your stomach flat.

swimining is amazing for your shoulders

[SOY-COMO-SOY]

I have been lifting/exersizing for about two months now. I have a few questions...if anyone can help I would appreciate it.

1) I have been lifting almost every muscle except abs. My fear is that if I started abs right off the bat, the muscles would build underneath my fat and push out my stomach. Is there any truth to my theory? Will only cardio burn my stomach fat?

2) How good of a cardio workout is swimming compared to running?

3) What are the weight loss benefits to lifting as opposed to cardio?

4) Any recommened supplements other than protein. I have been taking Pump Fuel before lifting and some **** called After Glow after I lift. My buddy works at GNC so he gives me the hookup. What do you guys know about supplements?

Thanks

1. I think that is just a myth
2. Swimming is good, but i would do both if you can.
3. I read in a book, that for every 1 lb of muscle you gain, your metabolic resting rate(just sitting down not doing much) will burn an extra 50 calories a day.
4. I take 1,00mg omega-3 pill and a one a day mens multivitamin. Every now and then if i dont get enough protein, thru my diet i will make a protein shake.

[Bendigo]

Mizz:

Strengthening your abs is crucial to almost any other weight lifting endeavor you might adopt. A strong core is a catalyst for virtually every other major muscle group in the body. I wouldn't worry about the aesthetic problems; the muscles pushing out the fat is a myth.

Swimming is an excellent cardio alternative to jogging for two reasons:

1. No impact on the joints.
2. The cooling effect of the water lowers your body temperature and allows you to endure more physical exertion.

[Mizzou]

Thanks for the responses fellas. I used to be in tip top shape until I was 24. Very ripped and strong. Then I tore my rotator cuff and never really got back in the gym. Combined with poor eating and beer drinking, I put on a good 50-60 pounds. I've lost a solid 7-8 pounds since I started back, and am gaining strenghth quickly. I forgot how good it feels to exercise. The first month getting back I only did lifts I enjoyed and was good at. I pretty much chalked legs and abs. Now I have been incorporating all that back in. Trying to eat good and get my swoll on negroez.

[.:PRINCE:.]

1) I have been lifting almost every muscle except abs. My fear is that if I started abs right off the bat, the muscles would build underneath my fat and push out my stomach. Is there any truth to my theory? Will only cardio burn my stomach fat

I always wondered the same thing, but I realised its a load of bullcrap.

Most fat on the body is on the stomach and its much less on arms and legs. Therefore if you do some crunches or sit ups your burning the fat, and building six packs. People wonder why the belly doesn't get bigger like the arm muscles do, but the arm muscles dont have much fat on them so there's nothing to burn off, therefore the belly looses fat the quickest because this is where its all stored.

2) How good of a cardio workout is swimming compared to running?

Well running only really concentrates on certain muscles whereas swimming concentrates on a variety such as leg, abs, triceps, biceps, speed, etc.

There's my two cents..

[I3C727]

The best supplement is hard work and dedication.

well said, i would recommend only a multi vitamin (do some research on good kinds, not ****ty centrum) Fish oil (again do research on which kinds and how much to take) and whey protein.

The rest is all good natural foods, cottage cheese, fruit, almonds, broccoli, kale, spiniach, lean chicken, lean steak, peanut butter, OATS, apples, bannanas, avacodos, apple cidar vinegar, olive oil to cook with, wheat pasta.

stuff like that but im not gonna spoon feed everything to you, do your research and you will learn alot more then anyone on here could tell you.

[SpeedKillz]

well said, i would recommend only a multi vitamin (do some research on good kinds, not ****ty centrum) Fish oil (again do research on which kinds and how much to take) and whey protein.

The rest is all good natural foods, cottage cheese, fruit, almonds, broccoli, kale, spiniach, lean chicken, lean steak, peanut butter, OATS, apples, bannanas, avacodos, apple cidar vinegar, olive oil to cook with, wheat pasta.

stuff like that but im not gonna spoon feed everything to you, do your research and you will learn alot more then anyone on here could tell you.

took the words right out of my mouth

[Danny Gunz]

I have been lifting/exersizing for about two months now. I have a few questions...if anyone can help I would appreciate it.

1) I have been lifting almost every muscle except abs. My fear is that if I started abs right off the bat, the muscles would build underneath my fat and push out my stomach. Is there any truth to my theory? Will only cardio burn my stomach fat?

2) How good of a cardio workout is swimming compared to running?

3) What are the weight loss benefits to lifting as opposed to cardio?

4) Any recommened supplements other than protein. I have been taking Pump Fuel before lifting and some **** called After Glow after I lift. My buddy works at GNC so he gives me the hookup. What do you guys know about supplements?

Thanks

1. You can work your abs and get them stronger but they wont be visible until you burn the fat off on top of them. And they wont push your stomach out.

2. Swimming is probably better it works your whole body and has resistance.

3. Just lifting will most likely put more weight on you, muscle weight but still weight. Lifting and cardio will make you put on muscle and make you more defined.

4. Supplements
Pre-workout - I used superpump 250 and it worked really well but i also hear great things about NO Xplode but i have never used it. If you are using pre workout NO do not do cardio with it in your stomach.
Creatine - I have only used creatine once to gain weight and it worked, Animal stak or pump or just regular creatine caps, they work but you wont lose weight just gain muscle mass.
Multivitamins - recommend megaman from gnc, if you are using supps the multivitamins are the most important
Protein - Make sure you get Whey protein isolate i recommend either wheybolic extreme or Isopure
Whatever you get make sure you use them correctly, that is the most important thing. And supplements cost alot of $$$


edit - If you wanna gain muscle/lose weight keep a clean diet!!