Last Updated on January 27, 2019
Cardio is a calorie killer! It’s best to use cardio to melt of the extra body fat stored in your tummy, thighs, and love handles, and leverage your eating habits. Weight training builds lean metabolism maximizing muscle mass. You definitely need to incorporate both cardio and weight training to get the best results.
But when you decide to double down and do both cardio and weight training during the same session, ave you ever wondered if you should do weight training or cardio first when you workout? If so, this post is for you! This is a common question that I get asked a lot and yes, it does matter if you do cardio or weight training first.
Should I do weights or cardio first when I workout?
Here’s the answer:
1) Warm up
2) Weights
3) Cardio
4) Cool down
Why you should Weight Train Before Cardio
To burn fat your body needs to consume oxygen. This is only possible during cardio… and it takes about 20 straight minutes of oxygen consumption to happen BEFORE your body starts burning fat as a fuel source… that means when you’re warming up with low intensity cardio you’re also starting the oxygen consumption process.
Weight training (especially with little rest between sets) keeps oxygen consumption going, plus you’re building metabolism maximizing muscle. Following your weight training with cardio ensures your burning fat because by this time you’ve already used up the energy reserves from food that your body stored. Doing cardio after weights means you’re now burning mostly body fat. Slow down the resistance/pace during the last 5-10 minutes to reduce your heart rate…. this doubles as both a nice break and your cool down. Stretch lightly after you’re finished and voila! You’re done!
Now that you know weight training should come before cardio, check out my most popular workouts to add to your routine here.
It works, if you work it!!!! So work it, you’re worth it!
Your Coach and Biggest Cheerleader
xxoo
P.S. A workout isn’t going to do much if you’re not following a meal plan that’s right for your body type and goal. Are you struggling to stick to your diet – or does your diet continue to disappoint you? I’ve got your back! You may be struggling because of hormone imbalances, toxic build up and/or you may have metabolic dysfunction working against you. Get my free metabolic analysis and I’ll explain what’s going on and suggest a plan that will help you fix it so you can start losing weight and feeling great faster. Fill out this profile to get started.
Wow amazing and inspiring blog that you shared with us.
Thanks for sharing this blog….!!
Thanks! You’re welcome 🙂 I’m glad to hear you found it useful.