HIIT, before or after weights?

Options
AnnaPixie
AnnaPixie Posts: 7,439 Member
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Anybody know the most beneficial way of doing a HIIT (15mins), before or after high rep weight training?

I've heard you should do cardio after weights, but not quite sure of the reason why?

Thanks :flowerforyou:

Replies

  • Driagnor
    Driagnor Posts: 323 Member
    Yep, after. If you do it before, you won't have the energy to do your weights at the intensity you need to in order to tear muscle fibers and actually build muscle (or less reps / sets than you would after doing HIIT). If you can do them on different days or leave a bit of a break between them it's even better.
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    I personally would do weights first because I wouldn't be able to lift as much if I did it after HIIT.
    It depends on which one you want to perform best on, but also I feel that after just cardio I'm more tired than I am after just weights.
  • snookumss
    snookumss Posts: 1,451 Member
    Before I started focusing on weight loss, I strictly powerlifted. I only walked (jogged sometimes) quickly on the treadmill about 10 minutes before the workout (to get my heart rate up a tad, warm up the muscles). When I tried sticking out a traditional circuit with my friend, I couldn't keep up! The fast pace (low weights) kicked my butt! I don't know the specifics about it, but sorta-kinda slip it into my cardio. If you REALLY intend to do strength training, I don't think you can do it after you do real HIIT training.

    HIIT will increase your heart rate and if you jump into weights right afterwards, your muscles cannot have the strength they normally would be able to handle. This WILL help with stamina, if you keep your weights quick!

    I would do the weights first, so you really can get a good weight session in before you do some high heart rate cardio.
  • snookumss
    snookumss Posts: 1,451 Member
    It will also heavily damper your form in the weights if you tried to do legit weights. You NEVER want to allow yourself to sacrifice form!!! Its asking to get hurt!
  • AnnaPixie
    AnnaPixie Posts: 7,439 Member
    Makes perfect sense, Thanks :bigsmile:
This discussion has been closed.

Categories