Workout Order

Ctripp86

When incorporating cardio and weights into a workout I have heard two different things; that you should always do cardio first and then weight/strength training and I've heard the opposite, that you should do weights first and end with cardio. Is there a right and wrong way?

gdunn55

I've done it both ways. The only advantage to cardio first was that the weights I needed were freed up.

RyanPerry2012

I've no idea as to the scientific proof of either method, but my trainer swears by weights first, cardio second. However if you split up the workouts I know several people who swear by cardio in the morning, weights after work or what have you.

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/training/a/ExerciseOrder.htm
I agree with something said in this article; whatever order works best for you is best. If you try weights then cardio and feel too tired to run/ bike/ whatever, you're going to want to quit early. It is "easiest" just to do them on different days but I am also recently starting to feel like that's not enough, and combine days. I have been doing my cardio after weights and it works for me but I feel you're still burning those calories with both, so stressing over the order will only hold you back IMO.

wxkris

My old trainer told me to do whatever thing first that you want to focus on that day. If you want a good strength training workout, do a short cardio warmup and then lift. Then you can use whatever energy you have left to do cardio.

Otherwise, you'll tire out your muscles doing cardio, and they won't have enough strength to lift to their full potential.

aj_gettingfit

This was a question in another post I was just in.

You should do weights then cardio according to my friend who spends hours researching fitness and nutrition. It has something to do with the way our bodies burn fat. You need to do at least 20 min of weights before going to cardio. She followed this after being a major cardio person and totally reshaped her body.

Ctripp86

Thanks everyone! That helps out a lot.

gmpearson

I highly recommend the book "Which Comes First: Cardio or Weights". It is a book based on hundreds of published studies, and sets out to answer the most common questions and myths regarding exercise and fitness.

According to many of the studies, the activity that you choose to do first basically "flips a switch" in our bodies to determine if we will burn fat or build muscle. Either way, even if you are burning fat first by starting with cardio, you will still increase strength when you lift weights. This only really becomes an issue if you are trying to bulk or sculpt.

I am definitely classified as a runner, but I do a heavy weight session 2-3 times per week. Even when I know I am doing weights, I start out with a fast mile on the treadmill, and sometimes some rowing just to get my muscles warm. I then lift heavy for about 45 minutes (I am not trying to build a ton of bulk, more strength related) and I do a full body workout (as opposed to arms one day, legs another, etc).

Definitely read the book if you get a chance. It is very insightful, and is not so technical that you have to be a physician or engineer to understand

trixirn

Well, I do cardio first. Primarily because I hate it and will try to skip it if I don't get it out of the way

Ctripp86

Thanks! I will definitely check out that book.

Suznorem

Working out is like pruning. I have a neighbor who says the time to prune is when you have the pruning shears in your hands! Same way with working out. When you can and how you can. If you are doing strength training to push to a certain weight, as if you are training for competition, you might want to do cardio after, but otherwise, I don't see a difference.

stingrayinfl

Do what works for you...you will know by trial and error. I do cardio first...works for me

Annmariek

Weights then cardio, especially if looking to burn fat as weight training depletes your glycogen levels so when you go on to do your cardio, you will be burning fat straight away, whereas if you did cardio first, you could be doing it for 30-40 minutes before you enter the fat burning zone