Maintaing condition while bulking

[JAM]

I guess I'm in a long bulking phase as I don't plan on competing again until improvements are made. Things aren't going too bad but I'd like to stay a little leaner. I'm thinking of adding a little more cardio to what I am doing but don't want to hinder gains.
My strategy is to take about 8-16 grams of BCAA's immediately following weight training then doing 25-30min of cardio (I take aminos before training as well and don't think they will prevent fat loss). Then having my protein shake afterward and a food meal about 30-45min after that.
I was going to start up my morning cardio routine but didn't want to sacrifice the sleep I've been getting. Any thoughts on if this strategy needs to be changed or if anyone has tried a similar approach.

[Provo82]

maybe incorporating lower calorie/carb days on non training days so you prime the body for absorption of the higher calories on training days. Just an idea.

[dropshot001]

the cardio will help to keep you lean/fight bf accumulation and will also help your appetite.

[neofarq]

I think cardio is highly overlooked when it comes to staying lean and making gains in the offseason. I used to do no cardio at all during my offseasons and get fat and lethargic, not to mention straying far away from contest shape. 2-3 30-45 min. sessions a week will greatly help maintaining conditioning as well as increasing ur apetite. I always just feel better all around when doin cardio. Do them 1st thing in the AM on an empty stomach>

[neofarq]

Also what I have done that seems to work is somewhat of a slight carb rotation around ur Non training days. Ur off days shld always b lowest in calories and carbs, then ur 1st day back have that b ur high carb or cheat meal day. It will load u up for the days ahead as well as speeding up your metabolism again.

[zmcdole]

Your diet is gonna have the biggest impact on how much fat you put on during the offseason. Most people think that they need to eat everything in sight in order to get big. You don't. Do you need to eat in a surplus? Yes you do. However, putting on "REAL" muscle takes time even for the enhanced. Slow and steady wins the race. Shoot to gain about a 1lb a week. Keeping cardio in is a good idea and will help keep your bf in check as well as keep you in shape.

[JAM]

I agree that people need to keep cardio even while bulking. Even if its just for the fact that heavy leg days are pretty taxing on the ol' respiratory system and adding even 10-15min of moderate to high intensity cardio post workout can help a lot.
I've started making rest days low carb.I actually used to think that would be a good idea its just I wasn't sure if since your body is recovering does it still need carbs. Now I'm tending to think its main priority is copious amounts of protein for muscle and a little fat for those recovery days.
I have a good feeling it's gonna go good. I don't really like feeling fat and lazy anyway. I also feel stronger when I'm in better shape.

[zmcdole]

I agree that people need to keep cardio even while bulking. Even if its just for the fact that heavy leg days are pretty taxing on the ol' respiratory system and adding even 10-15min of moderate to high intensity cardio post workout can help a lot.
I've started making rest days low carb.I actually used to think that would be a good idea its just I wasn't sure if since your body is recovering does it still need carbs. Now I'm tending to think its main priority is copious amounts of protein for muscle and a little fat for those recovery days.
I have a good feeling it's gonna go good. I don't really like feeling fat and lazy anyway. I also feel stronger when I'm in better shape.

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about lowering you carbs some on off days. It's not gonna hinder your progress IMO. The reason I say so, is because you're glycogen stores should pretty much be topped off and if they're not already, they will be when you hit the weights again on your next scheduled lifting day. You're not gonna burn much glycogen on your day off so you won't need quite as many carbs.