Workout Order: Weights then cardio...

[OrangeMoon]

Okay I finally decided after about three months of doing nothing but cardio(I know I'm bad) to incorporate weights into my work out. So, Sunday I went to the gym and my friends goes "Oh lets go lift weights" and I'm like "I thought we were supposed to do cardio first" but she goes on to say that "I was told by a trainer to do weights first and then cardio." Anywho I decided to ask my LHCF Ladies

What is the proper order:

a. weights then cardio
b. cardio then weights
c. it doesn't matter just do something and get it done

[damarc94]

I don't know if it's the "proper" order, but I always do cardio (treadmill), then do 20 minutes of lifting weights.

[R4L]

my boot camp trainers have us do cardio, then weights

[OrangeMoon]

I don't know if it's the "proper" order, but I always do cardio (treadmill), then do 20 minutes of lifting weights.

Thanks damarc94! I don't think there really a proper order either because, there are some classes and workout series which have the participants lifting a light weight and doing cardio at the same time or doing cardio first then follow with weights. I don't know. Nevertheless, I just thought I should ask...I just go with what I feel like doing when I get to the gym it just happens to be cardio because I like to sweat.

[Tallone]

I think the unwritten rule was always cardio first to give your muscles a warmup before you start ripping them up to build new muscle. i have always done cardio before strength training and my trainers have me do that too.

[*Happily Me*]

I think the unwritten rule was always cardio first to give your muscles a warmup before you start ripping them up to build new muscle. i have always done cardio before strength training and my trainers have me do that too.


me too!

I don't think i would have the strength to do weight training without doing cardio first

[starfish]

I was always told that your body uses glycogen first for fuel, then it uses fat. That being said, I got better results when I lifted weights first (body is burning glycogen) and then did intense cardio. I lift heavy so doing weights after cardio doesn't work for me...my muscles are too tired!

[gymfreak336]

I was always told that your body uses glycogen first for fuel, then it uses fat. That being said, I got better results when I lifted weights first (body is burning glycogen) and then did intense cardio. I lift heavy so doing weights after cardio doesn't work for me...my muscles are too tired!

Right. The order you do it depends on your goals. If you are trying to lose weight, do weights first. That way your muscles can use up the gylcogen and you can get the benefit of having a higher heart rate going right into your cardio. It won't take as long to reach your target heart rate and you go right into burning fat.

[tocktick]

I was always told that your body uses glycogen first for fuel, then it uses fat. That being said, I got better results when I lifted weights first (body is burning glycogen) and then did intense cardio. I lift heavy so doing weights after cardio doesn't work for me...my muscles are too tired!

i recently heard the same thing and was going to mention it. however, i do cardio then strength train after because this had been my routine before i knew better so i will probably be changing the order by next week though. i notice that my heart-rate is elevated when i finish cardio (i jump rope) but then after doing 30mins of strength training it's not as high. in fact, unless i'm doing push-ups, lunges or squats, then it's quite low and my heart-rate is probably faster when i'm walking.

i think it would be more beneficial to do cardio last and then you can fully get the benefit of the raised metabolism.

or you could just opt to do weights and cardio on different days. a lot of people do 3 days of weights & 2 days of cardio. or sometimes it's equal.

[douglala]

Weights then cardio..........

[PinkSkates]

If at all possible do weights first. The main benefit to lifting weights before doing cardio exercise is to maximize your ability to maintain and/or build lean muscle tissue.

[sunshinelady]

Yeah, I was told by a trainer to do weights first.

[*Happily Me*]

well this is interesting... thanks!

i'll try weight training first

[tapioca_pudding]

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138185

I started a thread about this and got some interesting responses. :yep:

[OrangeMoon]

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138185

I started a thread about this and got some interesting responses. :yep:


Thanks Kels, I didn't do a search first.

Thanks Ladies for your responses. I do weights first and then cardio. I've seen the difference in my cardio over the past two workouts. I have more energy to do cardio instead of a 10 minute run I was able to do 20 minutes with no problem. :grin:

[ThickHair]

Joyce Vendral suggests weights first then cardio.

[adw425]

I work at a medical school and a study came across my desk in May or June that said you get greater results doing weights first. When I went to work out in our fitness, I asked the trainer and she hadn't seen that study, but she said that it is always a good idea to warm those muscles up first, so she wasn't feeling doing the weights first. I would do cardio for 20 minutes, weights, then cardio again then weights. I now do cardio for five to 10 minutes first, then weights, then cardio, weights, cardio until I do my 50-60 minutes.

[carrie]

weights then cardio. If you like you can do an easy warm up of 5-10 min recumbent bike or slow walk on treadmill.

[Moroni]

On the surface the answer seems simple. However, it appears that your overall goal (bodybuilding vs. weightloss) should dictate which order the activity should be. Take a look at what some experts say in this 4 page article:

http://sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=773

And even the experts don't agree. :yep:

[adw425]

That was great information. Thanks...