Cardio and Weight Training on the same day?

SeptemberLondon

I'm struggling to find a balance between cardio & strength training. My goal is weight loss & toning. I've been going to spin classes to focus on my lower body, where I need the most toning & trimming. But I know the importance of strength training for women. Currently I can fit in 2 strength training days and 3 cycle days. I usually do some sort of run on one weekend day, leaving me with one "true rest day". Recently I've felt like I need an extra rest day, but I don't want to cut down on any of the workouts. I feel like they're all beneficial in different ways.

So my question is: Can I cycle and strength train on the same day in order to have 2 full rest days? I was told that this is counterproductive & that cardio would "undo" all the gains from that day's strength training. This sounded strange to me, but it came from a pretty knowledgeable source.

Thanks in advance!

pcknits

Bump. I would be curios to know the answer also.

Mr_Knight

So my question is: Can I cycle and strength train on the same day in order to have 2 full rest days?

Yes. Athletes do this all the time.

Just make sure each activity and intensity is compatible with your current fitness level.

auddii

If you do one right after the other, the one you do second you will likely have to do it at a lower intensity than if you did not do the first workout. That said, as long as you can maintain the intensity to a level you are happy with that shouldn't be an issue. Choose to do which ever one you feel you'd rather have emphasis on first (based on goals, schedule, whatever). Then do the second exercise to the best of your ability.

I lift mornings and cardio in the afternoon, but I want two days of cardio, 4 days of lifting, and 2 rest days. I do two-a-days on Friday, but I chose to lift before work and cardio after work. Because I rest in between, it isn't that bad, but I do feel like I'm dead by the time I finish my cardio for the day.

roanokejoe49

Absolutely! You can even change your focus, meaning one day hit the bike THEN the weights, and the next hit the weights THEN the bike. Message me if you have questions.

Bry_Fitness70

If I have time, I almost always follow strength training with some sort of cardio. You get a bonus carryover calorie burn, since your heart rate is already elevated when you finish the ST. I rarely do it in reverse order, as I don't want to be too fatigued if I'm handling free weights plus I don't want to sweat all over the equipment...