[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by Silock

See, now you've got me curious. Obviously, everyone should be cardiovascularly fit, but that can be accomplished without specifically training for cardio. So I'm curious as to why you feel this way.

I wanted to get back to you on this but I had to leave right after I noticed it. I have always been an athlete as well as running health clubs and training people my entire adult life until 12 years ago. I have been in all kinds of different shape but what I noticed with myself was that I felt my best and most athletic when cardio was a big part of my program. To be specific when I lifted, did cardio and jiu-jitsu I felt awesome. I have never felt better than that. If I had to do it all over again I would have backed off of some of the really heavy lifting and went a little lighter. I would also maintained heavy cardio and put a litle more emphasis on stretching. Although I was limber I eas never as limber as I would have liked. This being said nobody could have told me to back off the really heavy lifting as a kid. I would have said **** getting older I want to be as big as possible now. I will say this though. I did myself right by staying off barbell benches and working with dumbbells.

I don't know if you know this but I had major shoulder surgery awhile back. I am going to try one last time to go back to jiu-jitsu after the first of the year. Jiu-jitsu, light lifting, yoga and cardio. If I had done light heavy to heavy instead of real heavy I would still be competing. Just saying.

Enough of my rant. BTW, great to see you really getting into your program, it's obvious that you are really doing your due diligence. If you ever want to try something really challenging try cross-fit sometime. Some of the athletes that is developing are amazing.