Sal Di Stefano AI:
Yes, cardio can potentially lead to muscle loss. When you engage in cardio exercises, such as running or intense cardio machine workouts, it primarily sends a signal to build endurance and burns calories. This can make your body more efficient at burning calories, but it doesn't send a muscle-building signal. As a result, your body may adapt by paring down muscle mass.
If your goal is to build muscle and burn body fat simultaneously, it's important to prioritize strength training and nutrition while managing your calorie deficit. Cardio can be beneficial for overall health, recovery, and increasing activity levels, but it's not the most effective method for getting lean and maintaining muscle.
Competitors in extreme situations may use cardio as a last resort to fine-tune their physique, but for the average person, it's not necessary. Manipulating your program, reducing calories, and incorporating more movement like walking throughout the day can be effective strategies to avoid formal cardio while still achieving your goals.
Remember, the key to getting lean