Keeping the muscle build down...

[omad0n]

So today i started up my rock climbing again officially, even though i've been trying to get to it the last couple days. I find myself with an interesting question. I'm very happy with my overall size right now, I'm more interested in toning then i am in adding more muscle. I've already decided that I will continue my pushup routine in addition to the climbing. I also know that I won't be able to reach my 500 number in pushups right off the bat either.

The main question is, will doing my rock climbing then the pushup routine on the same day cause me to tone or bulk more than if I were to simply alternate the days in which I do them? I know alternating would burn more calories on a regular basis, but I thought I would get some input from you. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

[John Peterson]

Hello omadOn,

You ask an interesting question and the only truthful answer is that it strictly depends on how your body responds to the stimulus. Personally, I know from experience that rock climbing creates muscles that look like a cross between a panther and a gymnast. So for that reason I'd say that a certain amount of how the combination rock climbing and Push-Ups translates into muscle shape, and size or lack of it, is dependent upon your nutritional intake and rest as well as the amount and intensity of exercise. Just my take on it.

---John Peterson

[gruntbrain]

Create some sort of objective strength measure to evaluate the effects of your training. Bulk loss is a good thing if your strength increases esp. for climbers; obviously bulk loss can be mostly fat loss

[omad0n]

Exactly, that's why I'm looking to have bulk loss instead of gain GB. John you bring up an interesting point about nutritional intake. On the one hand I want to give my body the nutrients it needs to heal right, on the other hand I would also like to make sure that I don't give it more then it needs, again to keep the bulk down. Any other points would be greatly appreciated, and thanks for the great responses so far.

[mike]

I think you should keep track of your weight and food intake for a month. There is no way to know how your body will react to various stiumulous and its best to make small adjustments and see how much they help then to rapidly alter any part of your diet or exercise in a yo yo fashion.

[omad0n]

That's a good point Mike. I intend to be taking notes, maybe through the forums workout section, so others can keep abreast if they're curious.