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A well-rounded workout routine contains a balance of cardio exercise and strength training.
The American Heat Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio activity a week, as well as moderate- to high-intensity strength training 2-3 times a week.
If you’re checking off both workouts on the same day, many people wonder if the order of the activity matters. Should you lift weights first then head out on your walk? Or hit the pavement before grabbing your dumbbells?
The answer is either, but it depends on which type of cardio you’re doing — and what your overall health goals are.
Cardio can be a great starter or finisher to weight training. If you’re doing cardio at a higher intensity, you may use up a lot of energy leaving you tired during strength training. But if you’re going on a moderately paced walk, you probably won’t be too tired to do strength training afterward and it can be a great way to warm up the body.
The benefits of cardio before weights
Cardio before weight training will be the optimal choice if you want to increase endurance. This is because performing cardio takes energy from the energy stores needed to sustain aerobic or cardiovascular exercise.
Performing cardio pre-weight training enhances cardiovascular endurance. In addition, weight training with depleted energy stores also enhances muscular endurance. Striving to enhance endurance is an excellent goal for long-distance or marathon runners, as it improves fatigue resistance and develops slow-twitch muscle fibers needed for…
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