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Gregg B asked in HealthDiet & Fitness · 1 decade ago

Cardio before free weights or vice versa?

Some people swear you should do cardio first others believe that that free weights then cardio is better. About me, I am 27 years old, M, 6'2" 225-230 pounds, fairly decent shape not looking to get bigger just increase "everyday" strength and maybe tone up a little bit. Nightly I do 30 minutes on an elliptical trainer and follow up with 10-15 minutes on a recumbent bike for cool down but have not lifted for over 2 years. I just purchased a set of adjustable dumbells and plan on medium weight high rep sessions 3-4 nights a week. I am curious if anyone out there has similiar goals or experience they can share to help me decide if I should hit the weights or the elliptical/bike first.

My initial thought is to break it up (i.e. elliptical/weights/bike)

Thank you.

4 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    The best answer really depends on what your goals are.

    Cardio greatly depletes a lot of your energy faster than weight training.

    So, if you do it first, you are not going to get the most benefit out of your weight training because you already used up a lot of valuable energy. You can't push your muscles enough to make them grow if you're totally spent from a cardio session. Anyone looking to gain muscle or strength NEVER does cardio first.

    To gain strength, you need to lift heavy. It's really that simple. Medium weight/high reps will not really help to increase your strength much. Sure, you may see some initial results since you haven't lifted in 2 years, but to optimize your weight-training results and increase strength, you should do the weights first, and then cardio after.

    You should also look into HIIT training.

    Its better than the standard cardio at burning fat, and it helps to preserve muscle.

    Good luck!

    Source(s): Years of experience and research.
  • 1 decade ago

    What i do is warm up (10 minutes) then weights then cooldown(10 minutes) and on tuesdays and thursdays i do 30 minutes of cardio. And i take Sat. and Sun. off. oh the point is yeah i do cardio before and after but not much i do more of the cardio on seperate days.

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    HI I used to be advised to do a combination of each. The quality factor I used to be advised to spend money on is a center track. It tracks you to look if you're understanding to a lot or no longer ample. It tracks how lengthy you're within the goal variety for burning energy and it tells you what number of energy you've burned. I discovered one on eBay for approximately $50.(good valued at the funding) Also, water, water, water whilst you get the sensation of starvation drink a tumbler of water. i trust the meals magazine.. preserving monitor of what you consume and including why your consuming it's exotic. you'll be able to then see are you consuming extra for strain, boredom or are you honestly hungry. Weight watchers is a satisfactory software due to the fact you'll be able to consume the whole thing simply in smaller quantities and it teaches you that should you wish whatever unique simply determine alittle extra or decrease someplace else. this can be a tradition difference no longer a nutrition.. whilst you feel of it that means it's not as a lot of a nutrition!! Best of success!!

  • 1 decade ago

    My personal trainer had me do cardio before. says it gets your heart rate up and improves your work out.

    10 to 15 min of cardio after helps prevent soreness and stiffness

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