weights before cardio?

ellesoul

it's best to do it in this order, right? I know I've heard that you should try to split the days or split the time (e.g. do cardio in the AM then weights in the PM) but when you have to do both in one session... it's best to do weights first, to preserve muscle?

I have a lot of fat to lose and haven't been seeing results, so I'm trying to aim for a 1000 cal cardio burn each day this week, but I know if I do my usual, weight lifting THEN cardio, I won't have enough energy to make it past a 500 cal cardio burn (which usually takes me around 40 mins)... and I don't wanna skip out on weight training this week and lose muscle.

Suggestions? Input?

SteveHunt113

The new "in" thing, unless it's now the new "old" thing is to do weights first.

I think the biggest reason for this is so you can give your maximum effort during the weight training period. Your max after cardio will be lower.

Amburglar

I have always done weights first (after a 10 minute warm-up). A normal day is 40-45 minutes of lifting, followed by 25-35 minutes of cardio. One day a week, I do a straight hour of cardio and leave out the lifting.

Keep in mind that as you lift and gain more muscle, you will consistently be burning more fat. Cardio is, however, a great fat burner. Over time, I have definitely gotten the results I've wanted...and something that's just as important as the workout is patience. Good luck!

jaxboxchick

I did a weight class today and was bursting with energy after so I did some cardio too. I dont know what the right thing is, but that felt right to me. Any time I try to do weights after my cardio, I find Im too tired from the cardio.

msliu7911

I think you get the most benefit (especially calorie wise) out of both if you do it in that order.

If you start with cardio as soon as you get to the gym, it takes a few minutes for you to really start burning an optimal amount of calories, then you have to sustain it for a while to get a good burn. If you start with weights, at least you get the benefit of muscle strengthening plus calorie burn. Then by the time you start your cardio your body is already warmed up and already burning cals at a good rate.

LexyDB

The theory behind cariovascuoar exercise after weights is that I helps dispurse lactic acid and toxins built up in the muscles after a heavy weight session and I mean heavy weights not just lift in a 5k dumb bell a few times.

UponThisRock

Depends on many factors, but in general, I'd say weights first, if they're done on the same day.

My preference would be that they be done on separate days.

ellesoul

all makes sense... thanks for the input everyone...

BrianSharpe

Cardio before weights - you're fresher and more likely to exercise at a higher intensity , at least that's my tri coach's theory (we'll do an hour on the bikes before the strength portion of the class) but if you scan the literature you'll find an equal number of opposing views (mostly depending on what your fitness goals are)

Try it both ways to see which works best for you.

msliu7911

Oh and 1000 calorie burn each day of the week... that is very optimistic! Not saying its impossible but unless you are going full intensity for 60+ minutes, it might take a while to get in that kind of calories burned if you are doing weight plus cardio.

I only say this because I don't want you to get discouraged if you don't burn 1000 calories each session this week. Just be happy that you are: 1) cutting calories to begin with, and 2) making it to the gym to at least burn some additional calories! I used to make a goal of how many calories I burned per session and it actually held me back. Now I just set a time frame (i.e. 45 minutes cardio, 20-25 minutes lifting/abs) and go by my heart rate. If i'm not sweating and my hearts not beating fast then obviously I'm not working hard enough.

thelovelyLIZ

Frankly, a 1000 cal burn every day is A LOT and that may be why you're not losing. Of course, it depends on your size, so just take a look at it and make sure you're not setting yourself unrealistically high expectations. Plus if you're already cutting calories, you may be working yourself into exhaustion, not to mention it hard to eat 1000 extra calories a day of healthy food (for me at least).

I usually do cardio before weights, but on days I do weights, I only do 15-20 minutes of cardio, as more of a warm up than a full on cardio session. It helps me limber up for lifting, so I'm not as stiff, and my blood is already pumping.

PercivalHackworth

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/516601-why-you-wouldn-t-mix-cardio-and-strenght-training

AABru

How about circuit training? You can burn 600 calories in an hour and combine weight training and cardio...