Strength or Cardio?

vickiessecret

Hi, I'm not sure if this question has been asked or not, I've been trying to find info online. I go to Planet Fitness & I usually start by going around & doing of the strength training machines & then I would do cardio for 20-30 mins. So is doing strength before cardio better or cardio before strength? & I plan to go to the gym 5 times a week, so should I do the strength & cardio everytime I go? I'm really clueless when it comes to this. If anyone could offer any suggestions or advice I would appreciate it. I do have alot of weight to lose, right now I'm at 250lbs & my goal is to get to 190, my pre pregnancy weight.

ernestbecker

Hi,

Doing 10-15 minutes of cardio first is better in my opinion because it allows your body to get warmed up before lifting weights. However, If you're going to work out 5 days a week, consider this: Use two days to do 30-45 minutes of cardio, and use the other 3 days to lift, doing 5 minutes of cardio before you do. Feel free to send an invite if you have further questions.

vickiessecret

Thank You, sounds like a good plan

DavPul

strength first. you can do muscle and exercise specific (lift an empty bar or a lightly loaded machine) warmups instead of 10-15 mins of general warmup (treadmill). in fact, even if you do the general warmup you're going to need to do the specific warmup anyway.

pro-tip, leave the machines alone and use the free weights. whatever your goal is, free weights are going to get you there in a fraction of the time. not familiar with the what/why/how of lifting? buy New Rules of Lifting for Women. Best explanation of all the principles involved that I've read.

Lyadeia

The "cardio" I do before lifting is simply a short warm-up and I do not consider it a cardio workout.

I prefer not to do cardio and strength training on the same day, but when I do, strength training always come first.

When you do cardio first, you typically can't lift as much as you would have otherwise which defeats the purpose of strength training.

WhaddoWino

strength first. you can do muscle and exercise specific (lift an empty bar or a lightly loaded machine) warmups instead of 10-15 mins of general warmup (treadmill). in fact, even if you do the general warmup you're going to need to do the specific warmup anyway.

pro-tip, leave the machines alone and use the free weights. whatever your goal is, free weights are going to get you there in a fraction of the time. not familiar with the what/why/how of lifting? buy New Rules of Lifting for Women. Best explanation of all the principles involved that I've read.

^^ GREAT ADVICE HERE ^^

vickiessecret

Thanks Everyone