Which Do You Do First - Cardio or Weights?

arabianhorselover
arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi. When I go to the gym I've been doing my weight training first, and then doing Cardio? I've been thinking that I should do the weights first, before I get tired. is this correct?

Replies

  • just_Jennie1
    just_Jennie1 Posts: 1,233
    Honestly it's whatever works for you. Yes, cardio *should* be done after so that you're stronger when it comes to your lifting but it's what works for you. What works for me personally is doing my cardio first and then lifting. The reason that I do it this way is because if I don't then I will completely skip cardio. Doing it this way works for me and I am still able to lift heavy. Sometimes I lack the energy to lift but that's mostly when I'm just plain tired and not into it and forced my lazy butt to the gym
  • JENNTF
    JENNTF Posts: 78 Member
    I have always heard if you do weights first then you cardio will be more effective.
  • ItsCasey
    ItsCasey Posts: 4,021 Member
    Heavy lifting should always come before cardio. In fact, I just ditch the cardio altogether and do more heavy lifting.
  • salsera_barbie
    salsera_barbie Posts: 270 Member
    I've read that it doesn't matter which order. But normally I will at least warm up on a cardio machine for at least a few minutes before doing weights. I do incorporate cardio exercises in between my lifting. I hate cardio so if I can bypass it I will.
  • tomomatic
    tomomatic Posts: 1,794 Member
    I need to warm up before I jump into weights. I do at least 10 minutes of cardio before I hit the weights. Otherwise, I feel sluggish and cannot lift as much.

    Find out what works best for you.
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    Neither, I do my cardio and lifting on different days.
  • benefiting
    benefiting Posts: 795 Member
    I follow a trainer on Tumblr and someone asked the same questions basically and she said to do weights than cardio I believe.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Neither, I do my cardio and lifting on different days.

    +1
  • SynapticFyre
    SynapticFyre Posts: 2
    same way for me. I'm too tired after lifting so I just don't do my cardio LOL. however, I will say the most successful thing to do is to have weight lifting days with moderate cardio/warm up. than do longer cardio days on your days off from lifting. That way you have a mental break from cardio and weight training.
  • timeasterday
    timeasterday Posts: 1,368 Member
    Neither, I do my cardio and lifting on different days.

    Same here. Lifting days are for lifting.
  • Loulady
    Loulady Posts: 511 Member
    I don't usually do both in the same workout, but I would do weights first. I wouldn't want my form or performance to suffer because I wore myself out beforehand.
    Just seems safer.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Different days to maximize your training. If you're doing them on the same day and in the same session, one or the other is going to suffer. If you're doing a truly progressive lifting program, no way you are going to see your strength gains or maximize those strength gains if you're doing cardio right before...and if you do you lifting first...and you're doing it right, you shouldn't really be able to do a very intense cardio session...if you're doing it right, you should pretty much be shot to **** after you lift.

    If you do them on the same day, I'd recommend doing a session in the AM and a session in the PM...like go for a run in the morning or at lunch, and then lift in the evening...give your body several hours to recover and replenish your glycogen stores. But really, I find alternate days to be ideal.
  • arabianhorselover
    arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
    I just don't think I will be doing cardio on enough days if I don't combine the two. I guess I'm not working hard enough, because I do have enough energy to do the Cardio after the weights.
  • Pinkranger626
    Pinkranger626 Posts: 460 Member
    If you're going to do cardio and weight training on the same day then it's best to do the weight training first. This is because form and technique are very important when it comes to weight lifting. If you just finished 45 minutes of cardio on the treadmill (or bike, or elliptical whichever) and your legs are wobbly and you're already tired, then you go and try to perform some squats your form won't be as good as it would be if you were fresh. This can lead to injury as well as reduce the effectiveness of the exercise if you're cheating to finish your reps (plus you probably won't be able to handle as much weight if you're already tired).
  • BlueBombers
    BlueBombers Posts: 4,064 Member
    It's really up to each person, do whatever works for you. I do cardio and weights on different days and not together, but that is what works for me.
  • JamieM8168
    JamieM8168 Posts: 248 Member
    I usually do 5-10 mins of a cardio warmup first before weights. I don't know if thats the 'right way' but its what I do...
  • phjorg1
    phjorg1 Posts: 642 Member
    Neither, I do my cardio and lifting on different days.
    I lift 5 days a week and do cardio training for days a week... Now what??
  • tonynguyen75
    tonynguyen75 Posts: 418 Member
    Cardio? You mean lifting weights faster? O_o notsrs.

    Different days, different gym sessions on the same day, or after. IF you're concerned about getting the best strength gains out of your lifting. If you're not concerned about those extra 2-3 reps on your deadlift, it doesn't really matter, now does it?
  • arabianhorselover
    arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
    I have been doing 5 minutes on the treadmill before starting with the weights.

    Also, is it really important to use free weights instead of machines? What is wrong with machines?
  • jaxbeck
    jaxbeck Posts: 537 Member
    weights first
  • terracotti
    terracotti Posts: 101 Member
    weights
  • obrientp
    obrientp Posts: 546 Member
    I know it's probably better to lift weights first, but I want to get my cardio over with, so I usually it first.
  • bongochick45
    bongochick45 Posts: 130 Member
    I've always done my cardio first, but after reading this thread I think I'll try weights first this week and see what happens.
  • Mslmesq
    Mslmesq Posts: 1,000 Member
    If you're going to do cardio and weight training on the same day then it's best to do the weight training first. This is because form and technique are very important when it comes to weight lifting. If you just finished 45 minutes of cardio on the treadmill (or bike, or elliptical whichever) and your legs are wobbly and you're already tired, then you go and try to perform some squats your form won't be as good as it would be if you were fresh. This can lead to injury as well as reduce the effectiveness of the exercise if you're cheating to finish your reps (plus you probably won't be able to handle as much weight if you're already tired).

    I don't usually do this on the same day, but you made an excellent point I will keep in mind in case I do both on the same day. Thank you.
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    Neither, I do my cardio and lifting on different days.
    I lift 5 days a week and do cardio training for days a week... Now what??
    I am training for a half marathon, still find time shift weight lifting and my cardio, and work a 2 on/ 2 off military schedule....now what??

    ETA: You know...since this is turning into a my horse is bigger than your horse debate.
  • mallen404
    mallen404 Posts: 266 Member
    a 5-10 minute warm up, weights then more cardio after.
  • skeo
    skeo Posts: 471 Member
    I always warm up with 10-15 minutes of cardio everyday and cool down with 10 minutes after I've finished lifting. This is about as much cardio that I do on a day to day basis.
  • jpolinisse
    jpolinisse Posts: 149 Member
    I do weights first, then steady state cardio, as I don't have the energy for HIIT after a weight training.

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