Weight training

msech

Should I lift weights before or after I exercise? I usually do the elliptical machine three times a week (40 mins a day) and a stationary bicycle twice a week (35 mins).

sweetheart03622

Depends, but both will be effective. Some people say that you should lift first, to reduce your glycogen stores so that when you're doing cardio you're burning mostly fat. Some say to do cardio first so your body is properly warmed up for lifting. I personally do cardio after lifting because I feel I lift better that way.

kristy_estes21

Depends, but both will be effective. Some people say that you should lift first, to reduce your glycogen stores so that when you're doing cardio you're burning mostly fat. Some say to do cardio first so your body is properly warmed up for lifting. I personally do cardio after lifting because I feel I lift better that way.

I agree. I also do cardio after lifting so I can devote as much energy to lifting as possible.

mallorybriann

I've always done a warm-up, then weights, then some more cardio.

Dnsnyder

I do a 5-10 minute warm up, then strength followed by cardio, with a 5-10 minute cool-down at the end.

erickirb

Cardio after lifting is the best, as you are able to keep your form up better and have more energy to perform you lifts, not to mention using up your glycogen stores

katt742

Do whatever makes you feel best. I actually split mine up. Cardio either in the morning or at lunch, then I lift weights after work. There are also days I will just do cardio and no weights and vise versa.

Jeneba

Everyone is different! (Now - WHERE have you heard THAT before???) I prefer to do the cardio first because I push soooooo hard with the weights, that I wouldn't have anything LEFT afterward to do the cardio!

ChantalGG

I find when i do cardio before i can lift more because my muscles are warmed up. I will sometimes do 5 minute elliptical, then weights (bowflex) and then on to more cardio with a workout dvd like zumba or 30 day shred.

JennLifts

cardio second

funfitfoodie

I read somewhere weights before cardio

dragonflydi

Depends, but both will be effective. Some people say that you should lift first, to reduce your glycogen stores so that when you're doing cardio you're burning mostly fat. Some say to do cardio first so your body is properly warmed up for lifting. I personally do cardio after lifting because I feel I lift better that way.

I agree. I also do cardio after lifting so I can devote as much energy to lifting as possible.

Ditto and amen to both of the quotes above!

Mixmode

I do a light warm up cardio session first. IE- elliptical or treadmill for 10 min max. Then I hit the pile and am usually too spent to even think about cardio afterwards. But on my off days I do cardio for a much longer period.

kirkemorgan

Cardio after lifting is the best, as you are able to keep your form up better and have more energy to perform you lifts, not to mention using up your glycogen stores

You got it right bro, glycogen is used to perform the lifts, and is burned away, the only thing you have left to fuel your exercise is a little liver glycogen and bodyfat stores. Although it is a huge pain in the butt to drive hard after heavy weights, tales a few minutes to feel good doing the cardio.