Single Digit Bodyfat without Cardio
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- Rik-Blades
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Single Digit Bodyfat without Cardio
Maybe this belongs in the general section...but i'm just curious.
Like the title suggests, has anyone here achieved single digit bodyfat, without cardio? (Cardio sucks!)
Like the title suggests, has anyone here achieved single digit bodyfat, without cardio? (Cardio sucks!)

- ApolytonGP
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- ApolytonGP
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- Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 1:44 am
Muscle is pretty hard to lose.
It will happen with a protein deficiency but otherwise your body isn't just going to start burning off all your muscle. Even with extremely low calories your body releases a hormone to help stop this from happening (well until it needs it, like if there is not enough protein or not enough bodyfat and caloric intake).
That said, you don't need to run (if that's what you don't like). When I really don't feel like running but I need to do something I'll walk up Twin Peaks or maybe up a mountain and hike it. Swimming is good, too (lap swimming).
Otherwise it's just a matter of tapering your diet to your average daily caloric expenditure.
It will happen with a protein deficiency but otherwise your body isn't just going to start burning off all your muscle. Even with extremely low calories your body releases a hormone to help stop this from happening (well until it needs it, like if there is not enough protein or not enough bodyfat and caloric intake).
That said, you don't need to run (if that's what you don't like). When I really don't feel like running but I need to do something I'll walk up Twin Peaks or maybe up a mountain and hike it. Swimming is good, too (lap swimming).
Otherwise it's just a matter of tapering your diet to your average daily caloric expenditure.
- Rik-Blades
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Hmm...interesting mix of opinions already.
I'd agree that the fear of losing muscle is probably the biggest factor stopping me (and probably most lifters) from cutting that low. After all, who wants to see all their hard work being used as fuel. I wonder though at what level the body starts to break down muscle? 10%? 8%? 4%? Why break down muscle, if theres fat available to burn.
I'm following a low carb approch to my diet anyway, i'm losing about 2 pounds a week at the moment, not had icecream or beer for months. I actually don't like beer anymore.
I've never seen the point in eating extra and then just running it off. Surely thats like filling my car full of fuel, then making a hole in the tank because i'm concerned I put too much in for the journey ahead!
The only benifit of cardio, must be time related. i.e. 12 weeks prep for a competition. It would be interseting to see what % pro bodybuilders average out at off-season.
I'd agree that the fear of losing muscle is probably the biggest factor stopping me (and probably most lifters) from cutting that low. After all, who wants to see all their hard work being used as fuel. I wonder though at what level the body starts to break down muscle? 10%? 8%? 4%? Why break down muscle, if theres fat available to burn.
I'm following a low carb approch to my diet anyway, i'm losing about 2 pounds a week at the moment, not had icecream or beer for months. I actually don't like beer anymore.
I've never seen the point in eating extra and then just running it off. Surely thats like filling my car full of fuel, then making a hole in the tank because i'm concerned I put too much in for the journey ahead!
So far, no-one here has said they have done it.apolytonGP wrote:But why wouldn't you be able to get to 9% without cardio? I would think there are a huge amount of people that have achieved this and that 95%+ of people can do so.
The only benifit of cardio, must be time related. i.e. 12 weeks prep for a competition. It would be interseting to see what % pro bodybuilders average out at off-season.
?Ricky wrote:Muscle is pretty hard to lose.

There is a reason people risk their life and health loading up on drugs while cutting, and it isn't for fun.
Your body doesn't want to hold onto muscle in a calorie deficit. It is more expensive in a caloric sense. Without a stimulus to hold it, your body will dump muscle.
Otherwise it's just a matter of tapering your diet to your average daily caloric expenditure.
getting under 10% is not this easy. In a macro sense, yes, but not in practice.
Everyone is going to vary, and it depends on their response to gear and what stage of development they are in.Rik-Blades wrote: It would be interseting to see what % pro bodybuilders average out at off-season.
Younger guys are probably going to gain more fat in the offseason trying to put on max amounts of muscle. Older, more advanced guys, or dudes who are amazing responders to gear, might stay leaner year round. I mean there will come a time where you are only going to be able to add a 1lb or 2 of stage weight a year, gear or no gear, fat or no fat, those guys aren't going to gain a lot of BF in the off season, there is no reason to. But someone only 5 or 6 years in, who can still pack on 4 or 5lbs of stage weight in a year might gain a bit more fat than someone else just to get the dry muscle.
I'm sort of speculating here, but it does vary per individual, based on their own preferences and genetics.
But 20% on someone who is 270 and 20% on someone who is 170 are two very different looks. They guy who is 270 is probably going to have abs showing.
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- Deific Wizard of Sagacity
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if having a six pack = 10% bodyfat or less like a lot of folk (Christian Thibaudeau included) think, then I've done it without ever setting foot on a treadmill
Recently my girlfriend's even commented on me looking more ripped, and the only change I've made is switching to a carb cycling diet.
If your genetics allow it then it can be done. Don't get me wrong though, I am very aware that my genetics are good for not carrying fat, but not everyone else is in the same boat as me
Recently my girlfriend's even commented on me looking more ripped, and the only change I've made is switching to a carb cycling diet.
If your genetics allow it then it can be done. Don't get me wrong though, I am very aware that my genetics are good for not carrying fat, but not everyone else is in the same boat as me
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- Deific Wizard of Sagacity
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Age has a lot to do with it. When I was in my 20s, I was ripped all the time but I haven't really seen my abs since I was 30. I didn't do cardio but I had no trouble walking several miles to get to where I needed to go. I'm pretty sure the city I lived in had a bus service but I never used it. I never really thought of it as exercise.
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- Deific Wizard of Sagacity
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that's a good point, I'm in my 20s and I walk a half hour journey to work every day. I'll be damned if I ever lose my precious abs though!stuward wrote:Age has a lot to do with it. When I was in my 20s, I was ripped all the time but I haven't really seen my abs since I was 30. I didn't do cardio but I had no trouble walking several miles to get to where I needed to go. I'm pretty sure the city I lived in had a bus service but I never used it. I never really thought of it as exercise.