Cardio workouts are an important part of any fitness program, but they have to be treated a little differently when you are focusing on gaining weight and muscle.

Here are some tips on how to integrate cardio into a muscle building program.

Frequency

Cardio should be done no more than twice a week. Anymore than this and you’ll be burning too many calories.

The cardio you choose should be no longer than an hour in duration.

Types of Exercise

The cardio exercises that you choose should have a strength training/ endurance element.

• Biking or spin classes where resistance varies
• Walking up steep hills
• Running where there’s elevation

Activities that cause the muscles to work against gravity not only strengthen the heart muscle but also stimulate muscle growth.

Final Thoughts

Your heart needs strengthened too, so cardio is important. However, skinny guys need to watch that they don’t do too much of it.