Lifting weights before cardio?

I do like 4-5 minutes cardio and stretch then I lift, then I hit up the cardio.

My trainer told me that if I lift first, then my muscles are already warmed up and so cardio is more effective because you don't have to work as hard to get into "the zone."

However, I find that I can only do certain cardio exercises after I lift. The eliptical is one I have to do before. When I work my legs (and I lift heavy) I don't have the oomph to get on the eliptical for more than five minutes before my legs are screaming for mercy.

Actually, even upper body work wears me out too much for the eliptical. After a workout, I have to settle for the bike or the treadmill. :bigsmile:

Was told to do weights before cardio. From a PT friend of mine

2) After weight training, your glycogen levels will have taken a severe bashing. This is the PERFECT time to hit up some slow-burn cardio. This can be done on any piece of equipment, but treadmill (RUNNING, not walking) or rower are the best. The pace should be enough such that your heart is beating an at elevated rate, but you’re not getting out of breath. Do for 30-45mins.

3) After the slow burn work, finish off your workout with some HARD cardio. 10-20mins of interval work (i.e. FAST => rest, FAST => rest etc) is all you need. Really push yourself. By the end of this relatively short burst of intensity, you’ll have no glycogen left whatsoever.

It boils down to what your goals are...what everyone says above is true. However I personally bounce back and forth, you are going to have more energy at the beginning of your workout (naturally) If I am going to the gym for a pure cardio day i.e. 40 + mins of cardio I want to have the energy to get through it so I will do my cardio first and then usually abs after, if it is a lifting day then it is for sure lifting first follwed by 10-20 mins of a walk on the treadmill 3.5 at somewhere between a 8 to 12 incline depending on my energy level and what I worked out (ever try going up hill after squats!). Below is a sample of my week for reference.

Monday- Chest + 20 mins cardio
Tuesday- 45 min cardio + abs
Wed- Back + 15 min cardio
Thurs- 40 min cardio + abs and calves
Friday- legs and arms no cardio

Hope that helps, bottom line do first what you want to be able to give maximum effort to.

It has something to do with the way your body burns fat or stored fat. Something like that. My friend told me but I don't remember the exact wording. So yes a few minutes of warming up, then lift, then cardio.

Hmmm some good information in here. I was taught at my gym that you need to do 10-15 mins on treadmill, bike or eliptical before weights in order to warm up or you'll hurt yourself.