Fact:
Most “real” (competitive) bodybuilders never allow their body fat percentage to rise above %15, in fact, most stay closer to %10.
Fact:
Most “real” (competitive) bodybuilders do little or no “cardio” in the offseason!
Use of logic and critical thinking:
If Fact 1 is accurate and bodybuilders achieve and maintain leanness year round and if fact 2 is accurate and bodybuilders do so without the wholesale use of “cardio”………
Then the only logical, reasonable conclusion is that…
LEANNESS ISN'T TERRIBLY WELL CORRELATED WITH DOING CARDIO!
So why is every gym and fitness center in the western world full to the breaking point with fat-asses climbing, stepping and swooshing for endless hours?
………..But wait you say pros X, Y & Z do piles of cardio in preparation for their big event!!!
I Told You
Cardio = Leanness
Well, you are correct, to a tremendously limited degree! It does, in fact, require specialized tools and strategies to go from %10-%15 body fat (very lean and “healthy” by normal folk standards) to %3-%5 bodyfat (near death by regular folk standards).
Realization:
Bodybuilders like nearly all elite athletes have nothing in common with the average or even above average gym goer and should not be considered in the same conversation or context!