Running then Lifting OR Lifting then Running?

soldiergrl_101
soldiergrl_101 Posts: 2,205 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Does it matter the order of your exercise. I read an article that said you should do cardio before you lift because it allows you to lift while your heart rate is already up. My issue is I have tried lifting after I run, and I am typically so worn out and out of breath from my cardio that I can only get in like 5min of lifting before I feel like I am going to pass out
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Replies

  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    which is more important to you? do that one first
  • halleymw
    halleymw Posts: 246 Member
    Looks like you answered your own question there. In general, a short warmup period is recommended before lifting, like 5-10 minutes on the elliptical or treadmill or whatever, then get your lifting in, followed by cardio.
    Mike
  • MisterDerpington
    MisterDerpington Posts: 604 Member
    Lift first. Even running coaches recommend it I believe.
  • maca416
    maca416 Posts: 142 Member
    Just do the one as it sounds like your not maximising your routine if your doing both.

    Best give 100% to either cardio or lifting in one secession.
  • d3ck5
    d3ck5 Posts: 47
    ive always done a short warm up job (not run) before lifting any weights.

    ive also lifted pretty much the second i stepped into a gym. i didnt enjoy the sensation much but have seen others do it with no problems.

    personally, i warm up before lifting.
  • lacroyx
    lacroyx Posts: 5,754 Member
    Short warm up, lift and then run. I would not run first then lift because then I'd be tired from running and my lifting form could be bad.
  • balletpolegirl
    balletpolegirl Posts: 73 Member
    I think I remember reading somewhere once that you shouldn't lift after running too much because your energy stores will already be depleted. Whether that's true or not is another matter!
  • Cheval13
    Cheval13 Posts: 350 Member
    Maybe this (I do it now):
    In general, a short warm-up period is recommended before lifting, like 5-10 minutes on the elliptical or treadmill or whatever, then get your lifting in, followed by cardio.

    Maybe this:
    Whatever is more important to you, do first

    But not this:
    Lift first. Even running coaches recommend it I believe.

    Never in my years of running on a team did we lift before running... coaches think the "important first" method.
    However, I do all my weight lifting before my runs nowadays because I'm on my own and I figure that I don't want to train on tired muscles. I'll usually do a warm-up run first though.
  • mikejholmes
    mikejholmes Posts: 291 Member
    I'd do 5-10 mins of warm up before lifting.

    I would not do serious cardio and serious lifting on the same day.
  • Huffdogg
    Huffdogg Posts: 1,934 Member
    Lift first. You really need your glycogen for lifting and you don't want to be doing it in an already fatigued state.
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    I don't cardio and lift on the same days. I split them up so that I can focus hard on both and not have one affect the other so much.
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  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    If you have to do them consecutive with no break, lift then run. Running on tired legs is ok. Lifting when you are already spent is pointless.
  • MJC360
    MJC360 Posts: 368
    It depends on what is most important to you. If you lift first you have more energy available to you, which will allow you to lift more/heavier. If you run first you'll be able to run longer/faster.
  • 257_Lag
    257_Lag Posts: 1,249 Member
    I always lift first, it just takes too much out of me. Anything that's left (and there usually isn't much) goes to the treadmill.
  • moya_rargh
    moya_rargh Posts: 1,473 Member
    I lift first to deplete energy and then run afterwards to start taking from fat stores as fuel - or something like that.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    i only run once a week..so I always lift first...
  • A_Warrior_Princess
    A_Warrior_Princess Posts: 344 Member
    How true it is but on bodybuilding.com I read to do lifting first and cardio after. I have tried it both ways and it sucks both ways but I like the strength training more than cardio so I try to always get it in first!
  • agggie550
    agggie550 Posts: 281 Member
    If you run and then lift you arent putting enough energy into your lifting, and if you lift and then run, you didnt put enough energy into your lifting ... Just my opinion :D
  • moya_rargh
    moya_rargh Posts: 1,473 Member
    If you run and then lift you arent putting enough energy into your lifting, and if you lift and then run, you didnt put enough energy into your lifting ... Just my opinion :D

    I only run in the gym after I've done a 'light' full body workout i.e. 2 sets x15 reps. I've progressed to 3x8, 4x6, 5x5 now so I do my best to keep the weights and cardio away from each other on the same day.
  • itsfruitcake
    itsfruitcake Posts: 146 Member
    Personal opinion: lifting first. Allows you to focus on your form while you're still feeling fairly fresh, cardio just doesn't require that much mental attention.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    How true it is but on bodybuilding.com I read to do lifting first and cardio after. I have tried it both ways and it sucks both ways but I like the strength training more than cardio so I try to always get it in first!

    IMO you should always do heavy cardio on off days from lifting..

    I have no desire to lift for over an hour and then run three miles...ughhhh
  • Lifelink
    Lifelink Posts: 193 Member
    Alternate between which you start with so your body doesn't get set in a routine. Some majorly soft people telling you not to do both. DO IT!
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    If I plan to lift and run on the same day, I usually do one in the morning and the other one after work. That way I can feel like I am giving my best effort for each. Which one I do first depends mostly on the weather and my schedule.
  • RawMomma10
    RawMomma10 Posts: 89 Member
    I did a program where the coach had us do fasted cardio.... 3-5 miles... Then protein drink then weights..... Then post workout protein after weights.... I did it for a few weeks and then switched it up as I was getting worn out lol...
  • geeberfever
    geeberfever Posts: 19 Member
    I usually lift a couple days a week and on days I'm planning a lift, I don't do the full cardio. I do a warm up jog (5mins or so) or sometimes use the rowing machine and then lift. It's good to get the blood flowing before you lift!!!
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    Does it matter the order of your exercise. I read an article that said you should do cardio before you lift because it allows you to lift while your heart rate is already up. My issue is I have tried lifting after I run, and I am typically so worn out and out of breath from my cardio that I can only get in like 5min of lifting before I feel like I am going to pass out

    Whichever one is the focus of your training, that's the one you do first. If you are a runner who lifts, run first. If you are a lifter who run, lift first.
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    Strength training should always be done first after a light warmup. You can _not_ begin a strength training regimen with muscles that are already fatigued. They must be fresh.
  • BootCampC
    BootCampC Posts: 689 Member
    do them at the same time , if you dare!
  • BootCampC
    BootCampC Posts: 689 Member
    this all depends on your goal , if you are lifting for power and you want to gain power and size then lift first. if you are looking to cut up and keep your heart rate elevated but not lift so heavy then cardio first..

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