Cardio before or after weights?

LisaUlrey

I heard that you are supposed to do cardio after weights for better fat burn. I tried this out the other day and by the time I was half way though my normal cardio session, my muscles were exhausted from the weights. Is this the correct order? How do I avoid muscle fatique when I do cardio after weights?

JenMc14

You won't avoid muscle fatigue completely. The best thing to do is separate your cardio and weights to separate days, or at least two session, imho. If not, then whichever is your focus, do that first. So, if you're race training, you'd want to run first, then do weights. If you're just doing some HIIT to get in some cardio to compliment your strength building routine, do cardio last. I have tw-3 cardio days where I run or do a Fitness Blender video of some sort. My weight lifting days, if I feel like it, I'll through in a walk or a quick HIIT workout/video after I lift.

doctorsookie

My personal trainer always had me do moderate 30 minutes of cardio BEFORE using weights and 30 minutes of moderate cardio AFTER using weights. He told me this keeps my body burning the calories longer (the after) and warms up the muscles for the weights (before). He had me doing rigorous cardio for an hour- hour and a half on days I didn't do weight training. Hope this helps.

sabrafox

I second that. I do alternate days. MWF is cardio, TRS is weights. Sometimes I'll throw in a little extra cardio if I have free time but I definitely feel it more when I do.

agggie550

Something I was told along time ago, (3 years, when i first started getting healthy) ... If you do cardio and then lift you aren't putting enough effort into your lift. If you lift and then do cardio you didn't lift hard enough. Its kind of the meathead answer to cardio because its possible to do both, but I find if Stretch, Lift, and then run, i get a lot more out of it, then Running and lifting.

K_Serz

Its personal preference however its often suggested to do cardio afterward so that you are not tired while lifting. If doing cardio before you lift has no effect on your ability to lift then go for it.

Brwnsugar_80

i wondered myself about this question...i've lost enough weight that I feel I can comfortably start doing weight/strength training along with my cardio. Maybe I''ll try both to see if I noticed a difference before I try doing each on separate days.

melidee0706

This really depends on what you are trying to accomplish. If your goal is maximum fat burn, go for cardio first. If you are more focused on strength, do 10 mins of cardio to warm up and loosen your muscles, lift, and then finish with cardio. This way, more of your energy will go towards your strength training and it will be much easier to lift heavier.

MercenaryNoetic26

I guess it depends on what's more important to you. If I'm doing both, I'll always do weights first and then 10-20min post lifting of some-kind of cardio: speed-roping, elliptical, stationary/spinning bike. I love it in that order.

I've done it both ways, though. I guess I don't want to chance cardio messing with my lifting session. I want to get the most out of my lifting session and lift as much as possible.

happycauseIride

I also agree that it is personal preference. I work out in the morning so I do my cardio first. Otherwise it seems all I do is yawn and stare off into space in between sets, so by doing the cardio first that wakes me up and I'm ready when I'm done.

grantdumas7

If you are doing back to back sessions, I would do weights first unless you're looking to increase endurance or body composition is of little to no concern. In a nutshell glycogen is your muscle's primary fuel source. If you do cardio first you will deplete your glycogen stores. If you lift first, your glycogen stores will be somewhat depleted. When you do your cardio session, you will be in the "fat burning mode" sooner.