best time for cardio

[bandwagon]

i've always heard that the best time for cardio is in the morning on an empty stomach, and that the 2nd best time is right after lifting. my trainer is telling me that the best time is right before lifting for about 20 min so that you continue to burn fat while lifting. he didn't say whether to have an empty stomach or not, and he said that both ideally would be done in the morning.

this contradicts what i've learned before since i thought that you needed to have the most energy while lifting and then you could burn fat after w/ cardio. what do you think the best time to do cardio is and why?

 

[Nonerz]

Your trainer is wrong.

Best time...AM if possible, at the least--after lifting

 

[bandwagon]

i've heard this from a lot of people, and tend to believe it myself, but i'd like to know why. does anyone know of any research or studies that can confirm or deny this?

thanks

 

[Griz1]

Fire your trainer.

 

[strangebrew]

well if you train in the morning... you should do cardio at night, or train at night and cardio in the morning. And if your just doing cardio on that day... do it in the morning and follow your normal pre and post workout nutrition. Never workout or do cardio on an empty stomach.

 

[thebrute]

i usually do mine after lifting. tb

 

[MsBeverlyHills]

for fat burning-- its really best to do cardio AFTER your weight training when youve burned thru your glycogen stores & youll be using your fat storage for fuel.

 

[bandwagon]

strangebrew, i thought it was better to do cardio on an empty stomach in the morning because othewise you would burn the cals you just ate instead of the bodyfat? why aren't you supposed to do cardio on an empty stomach?

does anyone know if any studies have been done that back up when the most effective time to do cardio is?

thanks

 

[PolishHammer1977]

I got the best results when I performed my cardio on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning. This helped me reach the goals I set for fat burning at the time.

 

[Nonerz]

why? because it works! sorry, I'm not that motivated to dig up a study...maybe someone else will.

I'm thinking that it keeps your metabolism up during the day. I take a 5 AM spin class every Wednesday and I seem to have more energy throughout the day.

Honestly, I wouldn't lose sleep over this...what are you currently doing? Is it working?