Weights before Cardio... Right or Wrong?

c2sky

Please read this. Although pretty common sense, and meant for general public, I feel it's a little more complete and talks about the personalization I want to address when I have more time.

http://www.acefitness.org/blog/927/is-it-better-to-do-my-cardio-workout-before-or/

There are those of us, like me, who burn carbs and fat when I do interval training. But that kind of training once or twice a week is beneficial in many ways. The articles you posted really didn't mention that. I can only assume that the kind of cardio referred to in those articles are lower intensity. I guarantee you that you are burning way more than fat when you do sprint work. And if you do weights first, you simply will not have a good interval workout, and yes, you will be prone to injury.

And people please remember, to lose a pound of fat it's more total calories out than in. Using fat for fuel is not the same as losing fat on your body. One reason strength training is so important, is because as you increase your muscle mass, you burn more calories throughout the day, even when you sleep.

People get hung up on articles like this because they want the fat to go away. Do you remember how many times people said, "oh, I don't want to get my heart rate too high, because then I will be burning carbs, instead of fat." I still hear that and it drives me crazy.

Here is an article to explain that myth away too.
http://www.acefitness.org/blog/39/i-ve-heard-that-performing-aerobic-workouts-at-a/

I'm really impressed that you're trying to learn, so read these two articles. They are from a reputable certifying organization.

Again, if someone worked out with me, I doubt they could do cardio and weights back to back. Because both my workouts are extremely varied, and HARD! I split it up.

A lot of trainers say a lot of things. And there are a lot of trainers that don't follow what their certifying organizations teach them. They read something in muscle and fitness and trust it over objective journals written by folks who research this stuff time and time again. Just because a trainer says it, does NOT make it so. If it was, you would all believe what I say. Because I am a trainer. Anyway, stuff gets passed around and exaggerated. So for what it's worth, here is this trainer sticking to not what I "hear" but what i have learned through two of my nationally recognized gold standard certs.

To quote from a reputable source, the American Council on Exercise. "The idea of a “fat-burning zone” is simply a myth. .... Keep in mind that you lose weight and body fat when you expend more calories than you consume, not because you burn fat (or anything else) when you exercise." Everyone, please read that last statement over and over until you get it.

chevy88grl

Been hearing weights first and then cardio a lot lately. I managed to lose my weight this last year doing cardio then weights or just straight cardio at times. So, you CAN lose weight while doing cardio then weights. I've been switching it up since hearing a lot about this -- I'll let you know if I drop any weight (haven't so far...).

makeit_alice

I always start my workouts at the gym with a 5-10 cardio warm-up, then 40-45 minutes of weight training, and then the last 10-20 minutes of different cardio to end my workout. I had a session with my mom's personal trainer and she said that this way, you can get your body ready for the initial workout and burn the easy sugar, then the weights are what really build muscle and get your metabolism going (which, in the future will help you consistently burn more calories), and then the last bit of cardio is to burn the fat.

I think you have to spend a good time doing cardio in order to really burn fat (like at least 20-30 minutes).

sd101483

Great info - thanks for sharing!

bmontgomery87

Definately start with weight training.

I try to keep them on seperate days, that works best for me.

johnwhitent

@c2sky - Thanks for your post. I read both of the articles referenced in your post and enjoyed both. As you say, it is mostly common sense, but common sense has been found to be in short supply (not a reference to any post here!!!) I am 58 and have seen so many fitness and diet fads come and go that I am no longer impressed with the latest and greatest new revolution in whatever. There are so many "scientific" studies out there that purport to prove this and that I long for good, sound, no baloney health and fitness information. Thanks again for your post.

c2sky

@c2sky - Thanks for your post. I read both of the articles referenced in your post and enjoyed both. As you say, it is mostly common sense, but common sense has been found to be in short supply (not a reference to any post here!!!) I am 58 and have seen so many fitness and diet fads come and go that I am no longer impressed with the latest and greatest new revolution in whatever. There are so many "scientific" studies out there that purport to prove this and that I long for good, sound, no baloney health and fitness information. Thanks again for your post.

You're welcome. And again, thank you for your gratitude. I certainly don't claim to know everything, but I have learned a lot as a trainer and group fitness instructor. I'm always happy to try to clear up the "myths" and confusion. So far, I haven't received any disrespectful responses, so I will contine to help where I feel it will be appreciated.

Are you a cyclist? My husband is an avid racing cyclist (age 52) and bicycle frame builder.

JaneBear42

I always do weight training first. I just felt that is when I have the most energy. I always felt weight training gives those after burn effect. So you do your cardio after it.

So I always start my workout doing resistance training. Basically I follow the workout routine at http://www.workoutbuddyx.com/cb/home.html

DawnieB1977

I've used 3 different personal trainers over the past few years, and all of them have started with a quick cardio warm-up, then focused on weights and strength training, and then gone on to cardio.

Aries03

Bumping for later