Every trainer I've worked with suggest cardio after weights if you're chasing some fat-burn. The theory is that after a good weight-training session you're blood-sugars are pretty low (depleted from the lifting/heavy-exertion) and a nice low/med intensity cardio lends beautifully towards getting your body to dip into some fat reserves. The weight-training supposedly leaves you in prime condition to burn some fat with light cardio.
At the same time, every trainer I've worked with also insists that immediately or very-soon after weight-training it's critical to "put back what you burned" and get some good protein/carbs into your system. And the theory also holds that if you don't eat anything and then get into some serious cardio, you could face some catabolism.
I also understand that the body won't burn fat unless the blood-sugar is low....so the moment you eat/drink something and the blood-sugar goes up, the fat-burning is diminished.
Quite the paradox. I haven't answered anything, just brought more focus & theories to the question. Ask 3 trainers and you'll likely get 3 different answers too.... I know I have!
Here's my take:
If you do a really hard weight-training session and you know you've really gotten into some serious tissue....best to just slam the protein drink, some healthy carbs, let the body recover.
If you just do your usual routine and don't work the weights like mad...then following-up with upto 1 hour of light cardio is probably fine (might be better to keep it to 1/2-hour). Mid-way and towards the end of your weight-training session pop some BCAA's and get some protein-shake & simple carbs in ya. I'd figure taking in about 200 calories worth. It'll protect you from catabolism and give you some oomph to help with getting more from your cardio.
They say "fat burns in a carbohydrate flame" and what's 200 calories in when you're gonna burn another 450-600 out?
I'd hope some other forum members can contribute to this thread......
