Cardio before or after weight training?

I've always done my cardio beforehand, because by the time I'm done with the weights I'm tired and just want to scoot out. In to read responses later, since I'm interested in this too

This is exactly why you would want to lift first...and/or ideally you would want to do these things on a separate day; there's nothing wrong with leaving the gym after your lifting session...the weight room is the only reason I even go to the gym.

As rybo stated, your strength training is really no longer strength training if you're doing cardio first and then lifting...if you're doing a good cardio session before you lift, you are too tired to properly stimulate the muscles to really get the benefit of your lift.

I just think that is an extremely narrow definition. Once again, this is a topic that is being skewed by the narrow perspective of one type of lifter. They try to make it sound like lifting weights is some sacred task that can only be performed when the body is in a pristine state or something.

The body can be trained to do a lot of things - and lifting weights with good form and intensity after doing cardio is one of them. Millions of people do it every day--and they get stronger, and if they want, they can increase muscle mass. To ignore that and say that you don't get benefits from lifting if you do cardio first defies both reason and science.

In my previous post I also stated "for max benefit of both"...you do not get the full benefits of your lifts when you're lifting tired...I didn't say you couldn't make progress...it's just that progress will be slower and less efficient because you wouldn't be maximizing your benefits.

I don't know...I'm pretty busy...I kinda like maximizing my time to garner the greatest benefit most efficiently...note also that I'm not what I would truly consider to be a "lifter"...I'm actually an avid cyclist...but I would never go for a 30 mile ride and then try to get underneath a squat bar...just sounds stupid to me.

I usually stay out of these discussions but you hooked me with the "avid cyclist" comment.

Last year about 6 weeks out from a targeted event we started doing "complexes" cycling style. Come to the track, do 20 min of motor paced warm up. Then change shoes and do a set of squats. Back on the bike for rolling 500's or 3 on and one off or some other effort. Then back for weighted lunges. Back and forth we went between high intensity bike work and weights.

We were working for a very specific muscle/cardio adaptation but the point being we went back and forth between "cardio" and "lifting" for almost 2 hours. For the "fitness" level most here are working toward it makes no difference which you do first.

I have many times rode well over 30 miles and then lifted. It works. Consider re-thinking that as being stupid (of course depending on your goals).

There are many studies showing much reduced muscle and strength gains if doing cardio before weight training. A quick google search will reveal them. Don't do it.

This is one of the few questions in the fitness world with a definitive black and white answer. Of course, if weight training progress is low on your priority list, then it doesnt matter much.

I've always done my cardio beforehand, because by the time I'm done with the weights I'm tired and just want to scoot out. In to read responses later, since I'm interested in this too

This is exactly why you would want to lift first...and/or ideally you would want to do these things on a separate day; there's nothing wrong with leaving the gym after your lifting session...the weight room is the only reason I even go to the gym.

As rybo stated, your strength training is really no longer strength training if you're doing cardio first and then lifting...if you're doing a good cardio session before you lift, you are too tired to properly stimulate the muscles to really get the benefit of your lift.

I just think that is an extremely narrow definition. Once again, this is a topic that is being skewed by the narrow perspective of one type of lifter. They try to make it sound like lifting weights is some sacred task that can only be performed when the body is in a pristine state or something.

The body can be trained to do a lot of things - and lifting weights with good form and intensity after doing cardio is one of them. Millions of people do it every day--and they get stronger, and if they want, they can increase muscle mass. To ignore that and say that you don't get benefits from lifting if you do cardio first defies both reason and science.

In my previous post I also stated "for max benefit of both"...you do not get the full benefits of your lifts when you're lifting tired...I didn't say you couldn't make progress...it's just that progress will be slower and less efficient because you wouldn't be maximizing your benefits.

I don't know...I'm pretty busy...I kinda like maximizing my time to garner the greatest benefit most efficiently...note also that I'm not what I would truly consider to be a "lifter"...I'm actually an avid cyclist...but I would never go for a 30 mile ride and then try to get underneath a squat bar...just sounds stupid to me.

I usually stay out of these discussions but you hooked me with the "avid cyclist" comment.

Last year about 6 weeks out from a targeted event we started doing "complexes" cycling style. Come to the track, do 20 min of motor paced warm up. Then change shoes and do a set of squats. Back on the bike for rolling 500's or 3 on and one off or some other effort. Then back for weighted lunges. Back and forth we went between high intensity bike work and weights.

We were working for a very specific muscle/cardio adaptation but the point being we went back and forth between "cardio" and "lifting" for almost 2 hours. For the "fitness" level most here are working toward it makes no difference which you do first.

I have many times rode well over 30 miles and then lifted. It works. Consider re-thinking that as being stupid (of course depending on your goals).

can you squat 80-90% of your 1 RM after a 30 mile ride...if you can, you are awesome. I rode my bike to the gym once which is a mere 15 miles...I generally rep with around 250 Lbs...I could barely rep out with 200 Lbs...how exactly is that progress? Also, when I'm actually training for an event my lifting takes a back seat...but for general fitness, I would think you'd want max benefit of both. My lifting most definitely suffers when I'm training for a century or something but I expect that...because I'm training for a century ride, not general fitness. When I'm just working out, I'm looking to maximize my lifts as well as my cardio efforts...I generally do them on separate days which pretty much makes me able to rock both.

Somehow I doubt you were under a tremendous load. I could probably do that at 50-60% of 1 RM, but not a typical strength workout.

15 minute warmup on the treadmill. Then I weighlift. Then after my workout do a 30 minute run to get a quick burnout

Do the weights first before cardio because you will be fresh and ready to bust it out! Strength training is more important than cardio too in terms of fat loss. What truly stimulates the metabolism more than anything is lean muscle mass. The more muscle you have the faster your metabolism will be at rest.

Im a fatty so they answer to this is easy for me! I can do what ever i like, when ever i like in any combo because i have the fat stores to use up. Apparently "they" say if u are a lean machine then loads of cardio will undo your weight training so id be inclined to do it on a different day...? Just a warm up and a cool down on the bike for a stretch maybe...?

A little cardio before weight training warms up the muscles and makes the workout more effective.