Which should be done first?

[6_Time_Momma]

If I am doing a workout session of treadmill and strength training, which should I do first? I am thinking the treadmill first, as that would warm up the muscles for the strength training. On the other hand, it may make my muscles too tired for the strength training! Anyone know what is the correct order?

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Anyone know?

 

[kfeuer]

I can't find a link to it, but Jillian (one of the trainers from The Biggest Loser show) recommends doing your weight training first because something about lifting the weights primes your body for losing fat when you do your cardio. I've tried it both ways and I honestly don't know if it matters that much, you should see good results either way.

 

[gshoemate]

If I am doing a workout session of treadmill and strength training, which should I do first? I am thinking the treadmill first, as that would warm up the muscles for the strength training. On the other hand, it may make my muscles too tired for the strength training! Anyone know what is the correct order?

I do it this way also.....but thats a good question for my trainer. I know that weight training helps increase metabolism so maybe it would be a good idea to do weight training first. Let ya know what I find out.

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Hmm..... interesting thoughts both ways. I'll wait to see what your trainer says, gshoemate, then we can compare to what the trainer from The Biggest Loser says.

 

[Tera]

Hi Kristy - I've been doing weight training for over a year and I always start with that before doing any of my cardio (ellptical or treadmill). I find that if I start with cardio, I'm just too tired and never seem to give it my all with the weights. I stretch a bit first, warming up the muscles and then start with my upper body (chest, arms) and then go to my lower body (leg press, inner and outer thighs) and then head over to a cardio machine.

I think it really depends on you and how you feel your getting the most out of your workouts.

Good Luck

 

[Christine]

I've read (recently) in several fitness magazines that you should do your strength training first. The thought is that the aerobic exercise does fatigue your muscles to some degree and when you go to do your strength training you will not work as hard.

 

[Zoesmama03]

I doesn't matter essentially but you should always warm up for 5-10 mintues then stretch. Then you can do strength before cardio or what not.

This is what a trainer I had told me.

But warm & stretched muscles are best for strength training.

I myself have been doing 45-60 minutes cardio then doing my strength. My reason is I like to get it done and overwith. The last thing I want to think about after spending 45-60 minutes doing strength is that I still have to do my cardio.

Its also a good idea to always leave 48 hours between strength training sessions.

 

[Zoesmama03]

As far as being too tired for strength it could always go the other way. you could feel so tired and sore from strength that you can't complete you cardio and cardio is just as important for fat buring and also raises metabolism though not as "well" as strength. Weight lifting builds muscles which requires more calories to sustain(so you are really buring more fat all day not just right after) so as long as you are building muscles and continously building more until your at your prefered muscle mass you should be fine.

I would say do weights first but if you find you aren't finishing yout cardio you might want to alternate which you do first each time.