Which First... Cardio/ Weights?

I don't know if it's right, but I am just starting out and doing both. However, I am trying to focus on getting the weight off as my main priority by a combo of calorie deficit and cardio, strength training I'm doing lightly on the side because I like it

Whatever you do second will be "hurt" because you will have already expended energy on what you did first. It's up to your preference and goals which you want to do first.

My goals are to get stronger and then just do cardio to burn calories, so for me, it makes more sense to lift first. If your goal is to run a race, you likely would run first and lift as an accessory.

As for losing, lifting while losing will help you retain your muscle mass as you lose, which will likely give you a better body shape when you reach your goal than if you only did cardio. I'm glad that I started lifting weights while I was still obese. I think it has the added benefit of making me feel strong. I love that, so I really enjoy going into the gym.

A basic general fitness regimen is going to include about equal amounts of cardio and resistance training. More specific fitness goals would change that. If I do cardio on lifting days I do it in the AM and lift in the PM and also do cardio on non lifting days. I like being able to give each 100% of my energies and you can't do that if you're doing a mixed session...something has to give....but then again, I'm training towards very specific fitness goals...as a matter of general fitness it isn't going to matter really and would simply be preference.

People do cardio, cardio, cardio because they don't know any better. Weight loss isn't about what exercise you do...weight loss is about energy balance and consuming less energy (calories) than your body requires. You can lose weight, maintain weight, and gain weight doing all kinds of cardio...the difference between the three objectives is your consumption of energy.

Diet for weight control; exercise for fitness. I highly recommend identifying some specific and independent fitness goals for yourself...it'll open up a whole new world and be much more fun.

I do cardio for my heart health and endorphin rush, then later in the day I do 5lb hand weights. I have a weight set in the basement I am hopefully going to be ready for by summer.

I try to do them separately but if I do them in the same workout, I like cardio first because it warms me up. As I've gotten older, it seems that is more helpful to me.

I do 20-30 min of cardio, then weights after my heart rate is high. That way the increased HR continues. I have been doing this for about 6 months, 3-5 days weekly, and stay at 1200-1600 calories. I have lost 28lbs and have visibly muscle increase. I lift very heavy (for a female). I usually do weighted squats, deadlifts, leg press, lateral pull down, abs, rows, etc. if I still feel good I go back to about 10 min of cardio. I stress the importance of strength training for women. The scale might not move as fast, but your metabolism will increase and you will feel more toned and like the way your body looks. You will burn way more fat this way VS. Burn fat AND muscle if you are dieting without strength training. I suggest you research it. I am about at the end of my newbie gains, am starting to focus on cutting fat, but still doing my weights because I love it and it increases calorie burn, regardless of if I'm building more muscle.

I think people have said it, but what's your goal? If it's to lose weight and keep it off, or if it's to improve your non-muscle fitness, cardio. If it's to gain muscle mass, weights.

Doing weight training takes off the pounds on its own. So, if that's your goal, you'll get there by doing weights first anyway. However, if you do cardio not so much for weight loss but for health/heart/lungs/etc., then taking off the pounds with weights isn't your focus.

All depends on you goal. Still, regardless of your goal, you could switch it up to keep from being bored. But always keep your goal in mind and prioritize that.

almost always cardio first.
Occasionally I do circuits where Ill use the bike/elliptical then do a circuit of weights, then back on the elliptical...repeat for 4 or 5 circuits. Just to mix it up.
I never do weights first, just a personal choice.

I don't think it matters but cardio does serve as a good warm up for weights...

On days when I do both, I do a short (5-10 min) cardio warmup, then weights, then my main cardio workout. I started out with both weights & cardio, simply because I wanted the benefits of both.

ana3067 wrote: »

If you head out to the gym you will be able to lift heavier than 5lbs. Pretty much everyone can by default. No point in only doing 5lbs, even if you're trying to lose weight. Might as well use your time more wisely with some heavier weights haha.

I have a decent weight set in the basement, just not cleared by the doc to use it yet because of joint issues. Going up by 1lb increments at a time. Don't worry, I will get there eventually.