Cardio before Lifting? Lifting before Cardio?

Lawngirl296

What is the best way/order to lose fat and gain muscle?

GetSoda

Either way. If you do cardio first, just do like 15 minutes or so as a warm up. I prefer to do cardiovascular work on different days.

However.

To lose fat, eat in a calorie deficit
To gain muscle, eat in a calorie surplus

turtledrummer23

Without making a fool of myself by trying to be too technical when I am not an expert, the way I've read it and the way that seems to make sense is to lift first because for one, this is when you need quick, fire power and after you run even your upper body probably lacks this, and two you deplete your quick energy stores in your muscles by doing strength training. Then by following it with your run your body needs to reach somewhere for energy, the hopeful place is your fat stores. The overall point I'm trying to make is that by lifting then doing cardio, hopefully you take advantage of full muscle power during lifting, and then by contrast take advantage of the lack of non-fat based energy sources when doing cardio after.

cwolfman13

I do cardio on different days. If I happen to do some cardio on lifting days, it is either much earlier in the day so that I have adequate time to replenish glycogen stores or it is after my lifting session...and usually involves me walking very slowly on a treadmill and trying not to pass out because I killed my dead-lifts or something.

AJ_G

Always lift first, then cardio after whenever possible. There are 2 reasons for this. The first reason is that you want all the energy you have for lifting so you can lift as hard and as heavy as possible to build muscle. The second reason is that when you lift, your body uses its stored glycogen for energy. Once you have used up a good amount of glycogen, fat oxidation increases and you will actually burn more fat during the ensuing cardio than you would have if you did it before lifting, or if you did it without lifting.

jacksonpt

there is no best... let your goals dictate. If your goals are mostly calorie based or cardio-centric, then do cardio first when you are fresh. If they are body composition, strength or size based, then lift first.

jacksonpt

Always lift first, then cardio after whenever possible. There are 2 reasons for this. The first reason is that you want all the energy you have for lifting so you can lift as hard and as heavy as possible to build muscle. The second reason is that when you lift, your body uses its stored glycogen for energy. Once you have used up a good amount of glycogen, fat oxidation increases and you will actually burn more fat during the ensuing cardio than you would have if you did it before lifting, or if you did it without lifting.

Not necessarily. People with cardio-specific goals should do cardio first.

Timshel_

Order doesn't matter if you are specifically talking about fat loss and building. It is more personal preference.

I like to warm up with my cardio and interval strength training for my lower body, then hit the gym for the top half.

davemunger

Not necessarily. People with cardio-specific goals should do cardio first.

This. Whichever workout you do first is the one that "takes."

AJ_G

Always lift first, then cardio after whenever possible. There are 2 reasons for this. The first reason is that you want all the energy you have for lifting so you can lift as hard and as heavy as possible to build muscle. The second reason is that when you lift, your body uses its stored glycogen for energy. Once you have used up a good amount of glycogen, fat oxidation increases and you will actually burn more fat during the ensuing cardio than you would have if you did it before lifting, or if you did it without lifting.

Not necessarily. People with cardio-specific goals should do cardio first.

Sorry, I guess I should have specified. If your goal is to build muscle, and lose fat to for better body composition, and for appearance, then you should do as I previously mentioned. If your goal is cardio based (running a marathon, aerobic competitions, etc) then yes, there's no real point in doing heavy lifting anyway, because large amounts of steady state cardio are catabolic anyway, so why build muscle up just to have it broken down? If you're invested in training for long runs, then it might actually hurt you to build muscle, because you want to burn as few calories as you can while running, and increased muscle takes increased caloric intake to maintain.

Sugarbeat

Personally I go by how I feel that day. Some days cardio is first, some days strength training, some days I mix it all up and do the strength training in between bouts of cardio. I think you should try both options and see what works best for you.

solarpower03

after

mains_adam25

i always lift first then do my cardio

runningagainstmyself

Always lift first, then cardio after whenever possible. There are 2 reasons for this. The first reason is that you want all the energy you have for lifting so you can lift as hard and as heavy as possible to build muscle. The second reason is that when you lift, your body uses its stored glycogen for energy. Once you have used up a good amount of glycogen, fat oxidation increases and you will actually burn more fat during the ensuing cardio than you would have if you did it before lifting, or if you did it without lifting.

I've heard and read this in several unrelated sources, actually. To me, it makes sense.

Now to figure out what my macros are. Sigh.

gensteele1

When I first started lifting, I would do cardio, then weights. However, I found that if I did weights first, I had the extra push I needed. Cardio after is like my cherry on top! I also dedicate specific days to cardio only (longer duration sessions).

pjp1125

I split my days. I lift in the morning, then walk for a few minutes slowly right after (while drinking my protein) At Lunch, I do my intense cardio. I've leaned out quite a bit, but also have added a lot of muscle and strength with this formula.

Mario_Az

i do all my lifting then i do cardio

jujunnaichi

Below is a link that, in my opinion, offers a reasonable explanation regarding this particular topic...

http://www.answerfitness.com/320/cardio-better-before-after-lifting-weights-fitness-nerd/

EmilyJackCO

I do both... treadmill + stationary bike + lifting during the week, and treadmill + lifting + stationary bike on the weekends. This is in part to how my schedule works with my trainer and work and everything else. Treadmill is walking, bike is hill intervals. And lifting is heavy, at least for me. And I also switch it around based on time or exertion or workout. I can't commit to going to the gym 6 days a week, 4 is pushing it for me with a 50-60 hour week. But leaving out the cardio isn't an option either, as it has greatly improved my asthma in the last six months.