Pre Contest Cardio

[PrimetimeLive]

I have a show in about 8 weeks and i was wondering if the HIIT method of cardio is ok to do? I was advised not to continue using it because the higher intensity on a CKD diet will inevitabley cause an abundance of cortisol release - as of now my routine and diet are :

Day 1 - ckd (moderate carb) ~1900 cals - 150 carb
Legs
20 mins cardio on eliptical (not HIIT)

Day 2 - ckd (low carb) ~1840 cals - under 20 carb
Chest/Bis
20 mins cardio on eliptical (not HIIT)
Day 3 - ckd (low carb) ~1740 cals - under 20 carb
Cardio only (same as above)
No training
Day 4 - Carb load (ketosis) ~2040 cals - 450 carb
Back/Tris
20 mins cardio
Day 5 - ckd (moderate carb)
Cardio only - 20 mins
No training
Day 6 - ckd (low carb)
No Cardio
SHoulders, Calves, forearms
Day 7 - ckd (low carb)
No Cardio
No training
Day 8 - Carb load
Full Body workout
20 mins cardio eliptical

I think this cardio routine is fine but the competition aniexty is kickin in about losing BF%
I am already at 9% (5'8" 170lbs) - and need to lose at least another 4.5-5% in 8 weeks - Sound doable??
I think the HIT will flatten me out too much (ie sprinters)

[P-DOG]

first of all i have yet to see a flat sprinter. most sprinters have bodies that a lot of bodybuilders would envy. lean, hard and athletic.

the flatness you will experience is not from the cardio its from the low carb diet. which is really irrelevant because you will carb up pre-contest to avoid just that.

id stick with the hiit. yes it is more intense but it is more effective and is short in duration which will help with nervous system recovery.

not to mention traditional cardio sucks. id do hiit 3x per week, you could even substitute some sprints for your leg training days if overtrainign becomes an issue. the low heartrate cardio i would save for fasted state or post workout.

hope that helps. P

[nitroed]

I think it's just going to depend on your own body really. Different people can do different things with themselves. For example Lee Priest who obviously is very gifted, right now is doing two hours of cardio a day too get in shape for the olympia and the GNC show ( on top of his workouts). I know this doesen't help, but all I'm saying is that I think it's more of a trial and error approach, no matter what things say on paper.
-good luck bro