A lifter asked me this on IG, and it is the exact question 90% of meatheads should be asking:

"Let's say I'm an average joe who does 2-3 hours of cardio a week in addition to 2-3 strength training sessions weekly. I also hike, so mainly I will be doing stairclimber and incline treadmill for my cardio. What's my typical week gonna look like? How many minutes or hours in Zone 2, how many Zone 3? A good HR zone?"

Bingo.

That is the correct question.

Not "How do I suffer until my soul leaks into the stair climber cup holder?"

The real question is:

How do you build an aerobic engine that makes you better at lifting, better at recovering, and harder to kill without turning your life into a sad beige endurance spreadsheet?

My answer on IG was short because Instagram is a tiny clown car for nuance:

Drop Zone 2 as the main plan. It is not worth your time. Do 6 minutes of progressive cardio in the AM 5-6 days per week. One day per week, do intervals around VO2 max intensity for 2-6 minutes per interval. Add intervals over time until you get to 16-20 minutes of quality interval work.

That answer is the tiny door.

The Flexible Meathead Cardio course is the whole factory behind the door.

Inside, I show you how to build the engine in the right order, with the right dose, around lifting, without letting cardio steal your gainZ and run off wearing your favorite squat shoes.

This is not random intervals.

Nor is it "just do Zone 2 forever and trust the process, Broseufs."

Pretending your MetCon is the same thing as aerobic development because your lungs caught fire is also not the answer either.

Flexible Meathead Cardio Level 1 is the system built for lifters who want:

· Faster recovery between sets

· Better recovery between sessions

· Higher VO2 max without living on a bike for hours a day

· More energy during the day

· Bigger engine support for lifting instead of competition with it

· Equipment-flexible planning for rowers, bikes, incline treadmills, stair climbers, hiking, running, or whatever you actually have, although I have a huge preference for the rower and assault bike.

And starting today, you can grab the full course for $100 off.

Go here:

​https://miket.me/cardio​

​Use code CARDIO at checkout and the price will drop by $100.​

The code dies Monday at 11:59 PM. No fake re-open. Zero sad trombone extension. Forget the "my dog ate the coupon" resurrection.

If you are strong but gassed, this was built for you.

Much love and cardio!

Dr Mike

PS - No, you do not have to run. The purple folk at PF also need to stop pretending that being winded after carrying groceries is a personality trait and good enough! haha

________

Mike T Nelson CISSN, CSCS, MSME, PhD
Associate Professor, Carrick Institute
Owner, Extreme Human Performance, LLC
Editorial Board Member, STRONG Fitness Mag

Mike T Nelson is a PhD and not a physician or registered dietitian. The contents of this email should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health problem - nor is it intended to replace the advice of a physician. Always consult your physician or qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health.

..