Here's one for you guys. I weight train about 3 days a week and try to do cardio 5-6 days a week. On the days I do not train, I do a bit more cardio, such as 30-45 mins. On the days I do train, I only do about 15 mins cardio before I train as a warm up, then I do another 15 or so after I train. My question is should I bump up the cardio before and after I train? I guess I'm curious if it's good for you body during those times or if it's best to do most of your cardio on days when you don't train. Thanks.
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cardio before/after workout?
- Thread starter LisaK
- Start date
I personally think it's best to do cardio on either seperate days, or at different times from weight training. Your work-out will probably be too long if you up your cardio and do that after you lift - and if you don't eat before doing cardio, you'll end up burning precious muscle. Doing the 15 before and after is okay, though, for warming up and cooling down.
I usually lift mid-morning, then do my cardio in the evenings.
If you must do cardio and weights at the same trip to the gym, it's best to do cardio after lifting. And if you can, have a protein shake or something between the two. If you do cardio before, you'll be too tired to get a good work-out and your proper form will suffer.
I usually lift mid-morning, then do my cardio in the evenings.
If you must do cardio and weights at the same trip to the gym, it's best to do cardio after lifting. And if you can, have a protein shake or something between the two. If you do cardio before, you'll be too tired to get a good work-out and your proper form will suffer.
I use almost exactly the same routine as you, evolved through trial and error in terms of more cardio time on non-weight days, and putting cardio in front and behind weight sessions as an effective warmup/warmdown. The only thing i'd even consider would be to try improve my fitness by increasing the pre-weight warmup cardio to 20-25 minutes, for optimal cardio benefit. That's splitting hairs though.
If you're primarily trying to add muscle you should consider reducing the cardio on lifting days, but if trying to maintain or slowly increase a combination of fitness, cardio and muscle, or lose weight fairly quickly, I'm with you on your schedule.
If you're primarily trying to add muscle you should consider reducing the cardio on lifting days, but if trying to maintain or slowly increase a combination of fitness, cardio and muscle, or lose weight fairly quickly, I'm with you on your schedule.
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Your muscles need fuel to lift, don't burn it by doing cardio at the beginning of a workout. The best warmup involves doing a couple of light warmup sets of your chosen exercise.
Man of Steel said:Your muscles need fuel to lift, don't burn it by doing cardio at the beginning of a workout. The best warmup involves doing a couple of light warmup sets of your chosen exercise.
I agree with this. Even if you are trying to maintain your muscle mass it is a good idea to give it priority and lift before cardio. Hope that helps.
Sarah
i usually do like 5 to 10 minutes of light jogging or biking if the treadmills are full before i lift, helps get my blood flowing and i find it makes the first set allot easier, then i go like 30 to 45 minutes of hard running right after, then go home have a 1.25 liter protein shake (mixed with fruits and berries).
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As long as you're eating between the work-outs, and I mean not just a little energy bar, but a protein shake and an apple or something, then it's a little better. But how many people do you know that bring food to the gym to eat between working-out?corple said:wouldnt aerobics before hand get the blood flowing better though? eat some carbs after your aerobics, 30 min later, lift some weights, then eat some protein?
A couple of warmup sets is enough to get the blood flowing for lifting weights. You might find you can't lift as much if you do cardio before lifting so your weight session won't be as efficient.
pumpster said:Uh, no. Eating or no, cardio's unequivically one of the best overall warmups out there. If lifting's the emphasis, do less cardio. If a mix of fitness and muscle development's needed, combine them.
right, if you do a few minutes of cardio before your lifting workout, taht is actually the best warmup, and is recommended...
im saying, if you are going to do a lifting workout and a cardio workout in the same day...say you are going to lift for 40 minutes and run 4 miles...ideally you could do them at different times of day, but if you must do them in succession, lift first.
No, and let's not go in circles.
First of all, 4 miles isn't necessary; something similar can be achieved running a mile with greater intensity.
Second, it's just fine to do full cardio before weights or the reverse, UNLESS the primary objective is muscle building. I've done this for years, with excellent results in both areas.
Also, the only reason to reduce cardio at all is if the primary emphasis is weight gain and muscle building.
Splitting them up and doing them at separate times of the day doesn't matter.
First of all, 4 miles isn't necessary; something similar can be achieved running a mile with greater intensity.
Second, it's just fine to do full cardio before weights or the reverse, UNLESS the primary objective is muscle building. I've done this for years, with excellent results in both areas.
Also, the only reason to reduce cardio at all is if the primary emphasis is weight gain and muscle building.
Splitting them up and doing them at separate times of the day doesn't matter.
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I think you misunderstood. I meant for someone who does a lot of high-intensity cardio and lifts at the same trip to the gym. Obviously short, light cardio is the best warm-up for lifting.pumpster said:Uh, no. Eating or no, cardio's unequivically one of the best overall warmups out there. If lifting's the emphasis, do less cardio. If a mix of fitness and muscle development's needed, combine them.
first, i will assume that it goes without saying that if you have a priority, it should be done first.
fair enough. i already presented my case on the matter.
something similar how?
at the end of either activity, your body is low in glycogen.
pumpster said:No, and let's not go in circles.
fair enough. i already presented my case on the matter.
pumpster said:First of all, 4 miles isn't necessary; something similar can be achieved running a mile with greater intensity.
something similar how?
pumpster said:Splitting them up and doing them at separate times of the day doesn't matter.
at the end of either activity, your body is low in glycogen.