Cardio or Weights First?

BelovedHeather

BelovedHeather

Cathlete
On days when you do both, do you do cardio first or weights first? Most video workouts do cardio first, but I have read and heard that it is best to do weight training first. Is one way better, or is this just a matter of personal preference? If one way is more effective for your goal (like losing fat or gaining muscle), please share that.

Blessings,
Heather B.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV).
 
Most work outs that combine the 2 put cardio first but I have also heard many times that it's better to do weights first if you can so that is what I have started doing. I've been doing it this way for about a month I guess. I like it. I'm not sure what the reasoning is though....???
 
Hi Heather-
From all I read it really comes down to personal preference.
IMO
Pros Wts First:
You can lift heavier and keep good form because you are fatigued yet
No sweaty palms to lift
No sweat dripping on the wts & in your face
If you tend to love wt work you just gett it done- no excuses

Pros Cardio First:
Lots of energy to burn the most calories
Heart rate tends to stay higher during weight session to burn more calories (per my HRM)

Personally I lift first if I think I might blow it off after cardio
but on days I know I'm going to do it all for sure I cardio first because I like the higher calorie burn I get because my metabolism is all revved up.
 
Wendy and Traci:

Thank you for the input. I have been alternating cardio days and weight training days, but I want to try something different. I love cardio. I am not a big fan of weight training, but I will do it with Cathe! I have no problem maintaining my focus during a cardio workout. Cardio is fun even when I am tired. Weight training requires more focus. I start to lose my form and focus after 30 minutes. I am thinking about doing standing leg work one day, an upper body premix the next day, floor leg work the next day, and another upper body premix the next day. This is what I am planning to do Monday through Thursday followed by 30 minutes of cardio. Then I could do a pure cardio workout on Friday and a fun circuit training workout on Saturday. I just wanted to know if there is a reason all videos do cardio first. I need to be more faithful with weight training and make sure I am not just going through the motions. Of course, I might do fine with cardio first if I do shorter weight workouts.

Blessings,
Heather B.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV).
 
Hi Heather,
I do my weight work first-when I do weights for an hour I do a cardio from CTX so its short and it works for me-Ive said before everyone is different so you may need to play around with it for you.
It depends on your goal if muscle is more important do weight work first if weight loss is your goal do cardio first. I personally feel for me its difficult to gain muscle in my upper body so I lift as heavy as possible and use very little weight for my lower body and it works for me. HTH Have a great day!!
Lisa
 
 
Hi Heather. If I'm doing separate cardio and weight workouts, I usually do weights first, then the cardio loosens me back up. I've had decent results with that. If I'm actually doing C&W's or SJP, I follow that format.

Kali

www.PictureTrail.com/kkali
 
Thank You!!!

Lisa and Kali, thank you for the input. Laura, I am sending a big hug to you for posting all those great links. I like the reasons suggested in this thread for doing weights first, but I also like your reasons for doing cardio first. Kathryn’s suggestion (10 minutes of cardio then weights then cardio) seems to be the best of both worlds. I think I will try that or weights first for a fresh approach.

The more I learn, the more I realize that fitness is more of an art than a science.

Blessings,
Heather B.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV).
 
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