Weights before cardio

[jAded]

I've heard that it's best to do weight training before doing cardio, especially for weight-loss. Can anyone explain if this is a myth or, if not, why this is the case?

Oh, and I just have to brag. I've lost 4 centrimetres around my waist - in the past 4 weeks I've gone from 76 cm down to 72. I've also lost something like 2.5 cm's from my arm (each), 1.5 centrimetres from my hips and none from my thighs, ha.

[Jeremy]

I read the same thing from one of the personal trainers over at veganbodybuilding.com. I've also heard that weight training will continue to burn fat well after the actual work out. But like you, I'd like to hear what others (more experienced) think. Especially about the latter that I mentioned.

[jAded]

I guess weight-training will boost your resting metabolism as the more lean mass you have, the more energy your muscles need to consume, and to repair themselves.

But my housemate's pt, who's apparently really passionate about sports science and constantly researching, told her to do weights prior to cardio and I asked my friend, who's also a pt, and she said she's never heard of such a thing.

[Mr. Sun]

Would you happen to know the qualifications of each of these trainers?

I think with training there will always be differences of opinions and even some new theory that comes out and either sticks or is proven to be wrong or misunderstood.

Congrats on your successes. :)

[Pixelle]

I'm too buggered to do cardio after weights so I always do it before.

I'm no expert in weight-training though, and I've got zero interest in being one, I just do what I do and it seems to work for me. :)

[Dirty Martini]

It depends on your goals. If you're trying to build muscle and strength, you're going to want to focus on heavy weights. Since cardio will deplete your glycogen stores, you don't want to do much of it prior to a weights workout so you can lift heavier weights. You could then choose to do cardio after your weights workout to fully deplete glycogen.

If you're just looking to get a nice, general workout and don't care about depletion or muscle development, then it really doesn't matter.

[FitChick99]

It depends on your goals. If you're trying to build muscle and strength, you're going to want to focus on heavy weights. Since cardio will deplete your glycogen stores, you don't want to do much of it prior to a weights workout so you can lift heavier weights. You could then choose to do cardio after your weights workout to fully deplete glycogen.

If you're just looking to get a nice, general workout and don't care about depletion or muscle development, then it really doesn't matter.


I agree. It really depends on your goals. In general I would say do what is more important to you to make gains in first, when you have more energy.

As far as "muscle burning more fat"--1 pound of muscle burns about 50 calories per day, while 1 pound of fat burns only 2 calories per day (at rest).

I'm a fitness manager and trainer, have my BS in Exercise Phys, and several national certifications blah, blah... I'm just letting you know I *should* know what I'm talking about anyway since there was a post about checking your trainer's qualifications.

[fruitsalad]

I heard that too, and I also think that it's better to get weights and abs done first because it is easier to slack on your routine if you are already tired from cardio

[Elanor]

I've heard this too , but if I do weights and then cardio, I feel like a wobbly noodle.

[sumsums]

every trainer i talk to says that its best to do what you will really do LOL If you wont do the cardio after then thats not a good plan. Most people have more strength though when they do weights first.

[slicknickns]

do whatever you like. Personally i'd advise on going out for a run, coming back and eat a small snack (banana, etc.) then go into lifting.

[Dirty Martini]

do whatever you like. Personally i'd advise on going out for a run, coming back and eat a small snack (banana, etc.) then go into lifting.

Why?

As several people have said, do first what aligns with your goals. If you want to be an endurance runner, do running first. If you want to build muscle, definitely do weight lifting first.

[slicknickns]

Did you see the first sentence, "do whatever you like".

[Dirty Martini]

You said "do whatever you like" then gave a recommendation. ;)

[slicknickns]

yes, yes; but giving one's opinion can help inform.

let's not take this tooo seriously and let it become an argument. Remember it all boils down to, "Whatever floats you boat" ;-)

[jAded]

Well I had a program created for me at the gym which is a 10 minute warm-up, weights, then I think about 30 mins of interval training.

Considering my phobia of stationary cardio equipment though, I'll probably mostly do cardio either outside, or in a class.

But another question (for you, Dirty martini!): the trainer has me doing about 3 sets of 15 reps on a low weight on the machines. But if I want to actually build muscle mass, would it be better to up the weight and lower the reps to say, about 3 x 6?
Does that make any sense?

[kali]

i do weights first and then have a short break and start on the treadmill.





You said "do whatever you like" then gave a recommendation. ;)

hey, ease up on people about this stuff would ya? you discovered weights only a short time ago and now suddenly youre acting like no one elses input on the subject counts. not cool.

[holly golightly]

hey, ease up on people about this stuff would ya? you discovered weights only a short time ago and now suddenly youre acting like no one elses input on the subject counts. not cool.

I know! Her stuff cracks me up. Very entertaining to read though.

[Chrissylynn]

I just started with a trainer a few weeks ago- he had me start with Cardio, says it gets the blood flowing and to the muscles -

He know has me doing the Nautalist machines, I also do 3 sets of 15 reps - he said for men he has them do lower sets and reps at higher weights but it's best for women to do it the other way- you will gain muscle but not the huge bulk

For me it works- I do feel more energized when I get off the treadmill -so I don't feel as sluggish when I hit the weights and I know that I don't want the bulk.

Hope this helps some

[Terry B.]

He know has me doing the Nautalist machines, I also do 3 sets of 15 reps - he said for men he has them do lower sets and reps at higher weights but it's best for women to do it the other way- you will gain muscle but not the huge bulk

Does he like to keep the girls in a special room with little pink weights so they don't hurt themselves or get all sweaty as well?

Have him show you just one woman that he has successfully trained to achieve "huge bulk".

[Chrissylynn]

Ah Terry- No I choose the little pink dumbbells - I didn't want to touch the ones after the sweaty meatheads touched them.

Seriously- Most trainers will do it that way- at least everywhere my hubby and I have been- besides, if one thinks about it if a woman picks up a 85lb weight and does 6 reps right out of the start her chances of tearing a muscle are greater than if she picks up a 30lb weight and does 15 it does the same with less chance of muscle damage.

Not everything is about chauvinism it's about a woman's body is not designed the same as a man's

[slicknickns]

hey, ease up on people about this stuff would ya? you discovered weights only a short time ago and now suddenly youre acting like no one elses input on the subject counts. not cool.

LOL, see how opinionated people get about exercise and their style and exercise routine?

Remember peoples, strength can come from a lot of sources.
Don't forget the most basic of exercises can get you incredibly stronger, i swear by push ups, pull ups, dumbbell curls, lifting heavy objects (as simple as that sounds, think heavy boxes, rocks, etc.)

[Dirty Martini]

LOL, see how opinionated people get about exercise and their style and exercise routine?

Kinda like vegetarianism. Just because I've been lifting weights seriously for 10 months doesn't mean I can't have educated input. Better tell all those new vegetarians that they don't know anything about being veg.

Anyway, man, I was giving you a hard time; take it in stride. You said to do whatever you want - then told her what to do, and I thought it was funny. I asked you why you would advise something that might not align with her goals, especially since several people prior to you were telling her to do what aligns with her goals, suddenly I'm the anti-christ.


i swear by push ups, pull ups, dumbbell curls, lifting heavy objects (as simple as that sounds, think heavy boxes, rocks, etc.)

As do I (well, minus the curls). OH NOES WE AGREE!!! :P

[jAded]

I can now do proper push-ups :D

[katt_venus73]

Does he like to keep the girls in a special room with little pink weights so they don't hurt themselves or get all sweaty as well?

Have him show you just one woman that he has successfully trained to achieve "huge bulk".


AMEN! Unless a woman has extremely high levels of testosterone and growth hormone, whether naturally or otherwise, she will NOT become bulky. Just my two cents, so keep working hard... the results will pay off. :hamster: