Calling the PTs Here...Clarification, Please

slp51

Would love to hear your thoughts on the following:

1. I've always been told to do some light cardio (5-10 min) to warm up before starting a workout, whether it's lifting or cardio. Good?
2. I've also been told to always lift before cardio. Yes?
3. I've been told to cool down for about 5 min after a 30-min or longer cardio session. Good?

Thanks in advance!

ninerbuff

1. Light warm up of any kind is recommended before harder exercise.
2. Depends on goals. But it's more efficient to lift before cardio so that glycogen doesn't get expended too fast.
3. Cool downs aren't necessary, so it's a personal thing. Just getting your heart rate back down to normal by walking around is fine.


A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Cherimoose

I think a good warmup involves the part of the body you're about to work, to loosen up the joints and activate the muscles there. A good warmup for strength training is a few light sets of the exercises you plan on doing. Cardio is optional.

It's harder to lift with the proper level of attentiveness & effort if you're fatigued from cardio. So it's better for newbies to lift first, for safety & performance reasons. Another option is to do them at different times of the day or on different days.