Cardio then lift or lift then Cardio?

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.
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Replies

  • raven56706
    raven56706 Posts: 918 Member
    would love to hear about this as well
  • firstnamekaren
    firstnamekaren Posts: 274 Member
    I warm up for about 10 minutes, then lift, then do about 20-30 more minutes of cardio.
  • Betseyknits
    Betseyknits Posts: 4 Member
    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
    I prefer to do my cardio first, mainly to get warmed up and loose to prevent muscle injuries while lifting.
  • alysonleanne
    alysonleanne Posts: 65
    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
    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
    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
    5-10 min intense cardio, lift, then cardio!
  • smiller212003
    smiller212003 Posts: 39 Member
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    I start with 30 mins of cardio then lift then do another 30 mins. of cardilo
  • nlehmann
    nlehmann Posts: 164 Member
    I warm up for about 10 minutes, then lift, then do about 20-30 more minutes of cardio.

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

    stretch
    5 min cardio
    lift
    30 min cardio
  • saltedcaramel86
    saltedcaramel86 Posts: 238 Member
    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
    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
    warm up -> lift -> cardio
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Ultimately either can work, but a few things to think about...

    1) Safety. The risk of injury is greater when lifting, especially under heavier/more intense loads, and even more especially with heavy free weights. Consider lifting first when you are freshest/strongest to reduce risk of injury

    2) Effort. Results are more about effort than they are about method. Yes, some methods can be more effective than others, but even the best routine won't give results if you half-*kitten* it. Whatever you are more likely to bust your *kitten* during, do that.

    3) Goals. If you have specific strength or cardio/endurance goals, you should train with those goals in mind. If you are training for strength, then do strength work first when your energy levels and intensity will likely be highest. If your are training for cardio, then do cardio first.
  • loveYOUmore319
    loveYOUmore319 Posts: 79 Member
    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.

    ^Agreed!
  • drchimpanzee
    drchimpanzee Posts: 892 Member
    Lift first for me then some cardio. I feel like I have more energy that way and can lift a little harder that way but maybe it's just me.
  • agggie550
    agggie550 Posts: 281 Member
    Whats your intended goal. If you are looking to build muscle, then cardio second, and even then very limited low impact cardio just to keep your heart healthy. If you are looking to endurance train, then less weights more cardio, but dont expect any huge development on the muscle front (at least not size maybe toning). Just my opinion.
  • fruitandgreens
    fruitandgreens Posts: 11 Member
    Trainers have always advised to warm up with cardio (5 to 10 minutes) but that lifting should be done first as it takes more energy to lift.
  • mikegl1
    mikegl1 Posts: 238 Member
    The latest thinking is to lift then cardio BUT I can't do it.... If I lift first I just want to go home right after. If I do cardio I look forword to lifting so I go and do it.
    But, meh, as soon as I get to go back to the gym I'll still do it that same way.... my choice.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,992 Member
    Ultimately either can work, but a few things to think about...

    1) Safety. The risk of injury is greater when lifting, especially under heavier/more intense loads, and even more especially with heavy free weights. Consider lifting first when you are freshest/strongest to reduce risk of injury

    2) Effort. Results are more about effort than they are about method. Yes, some methods can be more effective than others, but even the best routine won't give results if you half-*kitten* it. Whatever you are more likely to bust your *kitten* during, do that.

    3) Goals. If you have specific strength or cardio/endurance goals, you should train with those goals in mind. If you are training for strength, then do strength work first when your energy levels and intensity will likely be highest. If your are training for cardio, then do cardio first.
    THIS.

    Also keep in mind that regardless of activity, glycogen will be the first energy source burned and the less energy you one has, the less effective the workout tends to be.
    Personally since I'm a body builder, I like to dedicate that energy to lifting.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • d2footballJRC
    d2footballJRC Posts: 2,684 Member
    Usually they say::

    Warm up for a few minutes.
    Lift before Cardio so you aren't tired and are at full strength. Less risk of injury, and more likely to be able to push yourself further.
    Then Cardio after you lift.

    That way especially if you are doing squats or deads your legs won't be tired from the Cardio.
  • MagicalLeopleurodon
    MagicalLeopleurodon Posts: 623 Member
    Since my cardio is HIIT, i lift first so i know im 100% and my form is correct.
  • dciuperca
    dciuperca Posts: 1
    Always weight lifting before cardio. Warmup for 3-10 min then lift then do a moderate amount of cardio. The reasons are:

    Your glycogen energy stores get used up first when you exercise before the fat burning process kicks in (these are your short term energy reserves). You want to use these energy stores for the intense requirements of lifting. If you have already used up your stores by doing cardio first you will have a worse lifting session and are more likely to injure yourself when lifting heavy.

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