Cardio then lift or lift then Cardio?

Options
blove_925
blove_925 Posts: 9 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have heard arguments for both so I thought why not ask you guys...currently I do cardio then lift so my heart rate will be up when I begin lifting. Let me know your thoughts.
«134

Replies

  • raven56706
    raven56706 Posts: 918 Member
    Options
    would love to hear about this as well
  • firstnamekaren
    firstnamekaren Posts: 274 Member
    Options
    I warm up for about 10 minutes, then lift, then do about 20-30 more minutes of cardio.
  • Betseyknits
    Betseyknits Posts: 4 Member
    Options
    I"m no expert nor a trainer but I've been working out for 30 yrs... always cardio to get your body going, then into weights..Hope this helps..
  • Gimpdogg
    Gimpdogg Posts: 163 Member
    Options
    I prefer to do my cardio first, mainly to get warmed up and loose to prevent muscle injuries while lifting.
  • alysonleanne
    alysonleanne Posts: 65
    Options
    I do my strength training with active rests - i.e., burpees, jumping jacks, etc., to keep my heart rate pumping while I'm lifting. I always save my cardio for after, since I feel like, if I do the cardio first, I don't put as much effort into the weights.
  • claresusan
    claresusan Posts: 121 Member
    Options
    I prefer to do my cardio first, mainly to get warmed up and loose to prevent muscle injuries while lifting.

    I totally agree! Cardio first whilst I'm feeling energised then strength training afterward!
  • caseythirteen
    caseythirteen Posts: 956 Member
    Options
    I do a 5 minute cardio warm-up and then lift. I like having my energy for the lifting instead of spending it first on cardio.
  • jennfranklin
    jennfranklin Posts: 434 Member
    Options
    5-10 min intense cardio, lift, then cardio!
  • smiller212003
    smiller212003 Posts: 39 Member
    Options
    i do a bit of warm up cardio (anywhere from 10-15 mins) - Strenght train - Cardio (additional 15-25 mins)

    I have heard from trainers to not overdo cardio before lifting (which i agree with) but i think some light pre cardio works best for me. Gets my blood a-flowin!
  • DesireeAshley90
    DesireeAshley90 Posts: 137 Member
    Options
    What has worked for me and what I've seen from personal trainers here and there is warm up for five minutes, lift/strength train, then your cardio. Apparently your body burns more after lifting rather than before.
  • tuckerrj
    tuckerrj Posts: 1,453 Member
    Options
    I do a 5 minute cardio warm-up and then lift. I like having my energy for the lifting instead of spending it first on cardio.

    ^^same here^^
    cardio warm up(5-10min), strength train(45-60min), cardio(30-60min), depending on how much time I have in my schedule.
  • GaiaGirl1992
    GaiaGirl1992 Posts: 459 Member
    Options
    I've been told by my father to do a warm-up of cardio, 15 minutes tops, then lift, THEN do more cardio. Seeing as he's one of the fittest 50-year-olds I know in person, I believe him XD

    Doing cardio last means you can put all your effort into lifting, and not be so tired for it.
  • Freedom4me2013
    Freedom4me2013 Posts: 4
    Options
    I get bored with long runs of cardio - I break it up into 3 segments and do strength training inbetween. Keeps my heart rate up the whole time, and I can do more intense cardio than I could if I did it all at once.
  • lenny833
    lenny833 Posts: 2
    Options
    I start with 30 mins of cardio then lift then do another 30 mins. of cardilo
  • nlehmann
    nlehmann Posts: 164 Member
    Options
    I warm up for about 10 minutes, then lift, then do about 20-30 more minutes of cardio.

    This ^^
  • ro90
    ro90 Posts: 16 Member
    Options
    10 min warm up cardio (usually bike sprint), stretch, strength, cardio, abs
  • MG_Fit
    MG_Fit Posts: 1,143 Member
    Options
    I'm pretty much the same as most of the posters.

    stretch
    5 min cardio
    lift
    30 min cardio
  • saltedcaramel86
    saltedcaramel86 Posts: 238 Member
    Options
    I've been doing 5 minutes cardio to warm up then lifts. I focus on proper cardio on alternating days until I get my fitness levels up.
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    Options
    I`ll warm up first (usually that`s just walking up the 5 floors of my gym x 2), lift, then do a more serious bout of cardio like 20 min HIIT routine

    I have no energy to lift (most people don`t) if I do cardio first.
  • Chadomaniac
    Chadomaniac Posts: 1,785 Member
    Options
    warm up -> lift -> cardio

Categories