Cardio before or after weight training?

dmatkins22

I have been looking for an answer to that since I've been struggling with losing fat!!! I needed that post and thanks so much for the insight.

Izzii0x

So wait, is it still ok to do JUST cardio or JUST weight in a single workout?

Azdak

So wait, is it still ok to do JUST cardio or JUST weight in a single workout?

Yes. Actually, for practical purposes, none of it makes any difference.

llc65

Thanks for this posting.
I always do cardio first as it motivates me to do the weights. Wondered why I haven't seen much results. I was starting to get very frustrated.
I will try this from tomorrow and see if it works any better.

Izzii0x

So wait, is it still ok to do JUST cardio or JUST weight in a single workout?

Yes. Actually, for practical purposes, none of it makes any difference.

What do you mean?

linzijoy

So wait, is it still ok to do JUST cardio or JUST weight in a single workout?

Yes. Actually, for practical purposes, none of it makes any difference.

What do you mean?

Yep, I'm keen to know this too as I would probably do cardio in the morning and weights in the evening.

dad106

I always do mine separately.

I find that since I do weight lifting to failure, I have no energy left to even look at a treadmill.. let alone hop on one for another 20-30 minute session.

I find that's what works best for me.

Azdak

So wait, is it still ok to do JUST cardio or JUST weight in a single workout?

Yes. Actually, for practical purposes, none of it makes any difference.

What do you mean?

I mean that for the average person, it makes no practical difference. The whole idea of "doing strength before cardio makes you burn more fat" is perhaps relevant for a bodybuilder who needs to prepare for a show, but is meaningless for everyone else. First of all, most people will never use up all their glycogen in a lifting session; second, if you do use up all your glycogen, you would have a really sh!tty cardio workout that would not last long enough to do much of anything, and three, the fuel you burn during an exercise session has almost no effect on overall fat loss. So each and every one of the "standard" reasons usually given for doing strength before cardio does not hold up under the most cursory of scrutiny. This is one of those situations where something that might be of importance to a tiny group of people with unique physiological needs (e.g. guys who are already at, say 6% body fat who need to get to 3% body fat) has been improperly generalized to the general population.

The practical effect of which to do first depends on what is most important to you and how your body responds to different types of exercise. Someone who wants to emphasize lifting and who pushes themselves really hard should probably lift first or lift separately. The reverse for someone who is looking to emphasize their cardio performance.

Basically I am saying there is no compelling scientific reason to arbitrarily arrange a workout routine because of some alleged fat loss benefit. If cardio is more important to you and you want to have all your physical reserves available to maximize your cardio workout and performance, you can do that and still realize significant strength gains and fat loss by lifting after your cardio. You can train yourself to lift heavy after doing cardio with no deterioration of form.

Will doing one first affect the quality of the other? Most likely. Once again, it comes down to your individual preference for what aspect of training you want to emphasize.

kymillion

I am going to try this thanks

LeenaRuns

Completely agree here if you are doing both in the same session.

This. I try to explain this to people all the time, but sometimes it's hard to get through to them. Thank you for posting this.

Chantal34

I usually do cardio first for 10 minutes, then go into weight training. Between sets I jump rope or do jumping jacks. Then after strength its back to cardio for 30-40 minutes.

ironanimal

I would think if you're working hard enough, it would simply be unsafe to be working with the weights you should after doing cardio. Depleting your ability to perform explosive movements before doing weights doesn't sound like a great idea.

kekine

thank you for your precious informations,I know it's gonna be benifit for me.

jcstanton

As a certified fitness trainer, I would get the question from clients and gym members, when is it better to do cardio? Before or after weight training? It's very simple, cardio after weight training. Why?

In order to get the maximum benefits out of your fitness plan for both muscle retention and fat loss, cardio training must be done after weight training.

It's really not an opinion but purely physiology in the how and when our body pulls energy from three sources within our body. The glycogen stores within the muscle tissue, muscle tissue itself, and the fat cell.

If you execute cardio before your weight training, two things happen:

1. You utilize the glycogen (energy) stored in the muscle tissue which you actually need to help get you through your weight training program (muscle contractions);

2. You possibly eliminate your bodies opportunity to utilize (burn) the energy in the fat cell which is mostly what we strive to achieve.

If you change to this combo:

1. Warm up on cardio for 5 minutes;

2. Execute your weight training program (glycogen is used to perform the muscle contractions);

3. Execute your cardio training program (glyocen stores are at their lower points from the weight training allowing the body to go to the fat cell for energy, thus shrinking the fat cell on top of the muscle;

4. Stretch

You are also giving your body the opportunity to allow the enzymes in the muscle tissue to increase which helps to increase your metabolism which in turn helps you burn fat more efficiently even while your body is at rest; you are giving your body the opportunity to shrink the fat cells down ultimately helping the muscle tone to shine through.

Also, remember that if you have been executing cardio before weight training and you are over training by going beyond th 65-75% on your maximum heart rate called the anaerobic training zone, your body could start using your muscle tissue for energy which can reduce your metabolism and increase your bodies ability to store fat.

So, cardio after weight training. Do that one change, and you will see results.

Been looking for a way to change up my routine. I'll try this. Thanks.

denise032

Thanks for the info! I'm going to try this as well.

missa526

Thanks for the info. I'm totally going to change my routine!

michellegrant1

this has been really interesting to read actually, ill remember this!

Going4Lean

I have heard this before , but always do the opposite, because while i am doing cardio i am thinking and pushing myself to go into the weights room.

dongskie

hmmm this is interesting. i've been doing the other way. cardio first then weight training next. i'll try this and let's see what will happen. :-)

thanks for the info.

mama2shi

Wow, I have been doing it backwards then...thanks for posting. I will start with weights tonight first. I was always afraid I would not have the energy to run the treadmill if I lifted first.

mcrowe1016

Also, remember that if you have been executing cardio before weight training and you are over training by going beyond th 65-75% on your maximum heart rate called the anaerobic training zone, your body could start using your muscle tissue for energy which can reduce your metabolism and increase your bodies ability to store fat.

Is it ok to go over that 75% if you are doing cardio after weight training?

jcstanton

As a certified fitness trainer, I would get the question from clients and gym members, when is it better to do cardio? Before or after weight training? It's very simple, cardio after weight training. Why?

In order to get the maximum benefits out of your fitness plan for both muscle retention and fat loss, cardio training must be done after weight training.

It's really not an opinion but purely physiology in the how and when our body pulls energy from three sources within our body. The glycogen stores within the muscle tissue, muscle tissue itself, and the fat cell.

If you execute cardio before your weight training, two things happen:

1. You utilize the glycogen (energy) stored in the muscle tissue which you actually need to help get you through your weight training program (muscle contractions);

2. You possibly eliminate your bodies opportunity to utilize (burn) the energy in the fat cell which is mostly what we strive to achieve.

If you change to this combo:

1. Warm up on cardio for 5 minutes;

2. Execute your weight training program (glycogen is used to perform the muscle contractions);

3. Execute your cardio training program (glyocen stores are at their lower points from the weight training allowing the body to go to the fat cell for energy, thus shrinking the fat cell on top of the muscle;

4. Stretch

You are also giving your body the opportunity to allow the enzymes in the muscle tissue to increase which helps to increase your metabolism which in turn helps you burn fat more efficiently even while your body is at rest; you are giving your body the opportunity to shrink the fat cells down ultimately helping the muscle tone to shine through.

Also, remember that if you have been executing cardio before weight training and you are over training by going beyond th 65-75% on your maximum heart rate called the anaerobic training zone, your body could start using your muscle tissue for energy which can reduce your metabolism and increase your bodies ability to store fat.

So, cardio after weight training. Do that one change, and you will see results.

Been looking for a way to change up my routine. I'll try this. Thanks.

FYI, I did what you suggested today, and I had great results. My muscles felt way more fatigued than usual, but I had more energy during my workout than usual. My arms were so tired that my hands were shaking when I tried to take a drink from my water bottle. So much so that I could barely take a drink without it splashing all over. In the last few months I've noticed that I felt completely drained of energy after working out, but my muscles weren't really all that tired. Does that make sense? Anyway, I'm hoping I'll see some results and changes in my body after doing it this way for a couple of weeks. Thanks for the suggestion.

kneubee7

Great info! Thanks!

Debbe2

Completely agree! If You do both together then strength train best when it's before cardio.

Louise1247

I did cardio and strength combined this past month- I cant post the image here but u can see the difference in a month

http://bluemorpho1247.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/the-difference-it-makes/

NiSan12

Great information. Thanks for sharing

Bobby_Clerici

I do both!
I like intense cardio first thing in the morning in a fasted state. People blah blah blah and argue, but I seem to lose more fat doing this. Results are all I value.
Later, after breakfast, I strength train - usually calisthenics.
In the early evening I play tennis, bike or swim or something.
All of my exercises are things I enjoy; life is to be lived.
Good luck with your program:flowerforyou:

Kany

Thanks for the info.

Healthymom207

I do cardio in the morning and weight training at night, so there is 10 hours rest in between and I am eating plenty of protein and drinking a protein shake either before or after weight training. Is this ok or is it still bad to do my cardio first???

Nikki881

Great information, thanks for sharing!!