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NJFASHiONiSTA
New member
Im unsure if there is a difference doing cardio before or after weights? Does it matter or just a personal preference?
Cardio before or after weights?
- Thread starter NJFASHiONiSTA
- Start date
It is generally thought that weights should be done before cardio.
If you do cardio first, then you will likely not have enough energy or stamina to put everything into lifting.
If you do cardio first, then you will likely not have enough energy or stamina to put everything into lifting.
nelmsjer
New member
It matters. 
The energy systems used for weight lifting preferentially burn carbohydrates, which are the body's quickest and first supply of energy (greatly simplified - LOL!). By using your carbohydrate stores during weight lifting, you will have a greater percentage of fat left over to be used for your cardiovascular training. Since fat is cardio's preferred source of fuel, it works out nicely.
Here is a way to put it into numbers (which are totally made up). Let's say that you have 30 units of carbs and 100 units of fat. By lifting first and preferentially burning carbs, you will burn through the majority of the carb units...let's say 25 of them. Once you get to cardio afterwards, that leaves only 5 units of carbs that you have to burn through before you get to your 100 units of fat.
On the other hand, if you had done cardio first, you would have had to burn through all 30 of those units of carbs before you dipped into the 100 units of fat (again, greatly simplified). So, you can see that it is to your advantage to always do weights first, burn off the carbs, and then hit the cardio to burn off the fat.
The energy systems used for weight lifting preferentially burn carbohydrates, which are the body's quickest and first supply of energy (greatly simplified - LOL!). By using your carbohydrate stores during weight lifting, you will have a greater percentage of fat left over to be used for your cardiovascular training. Since fat is cardio's preferred source of fuel, it works out nicely.
Here is a way to put it into numbers (which are totally made up). Let's say that you have 30 units of carbs and 100 units of fat. By lifting first and preferentially burning carbs, you will burn through the majority of the carb units...let's say 25 of them. Once you get to cardio afterwards, that leaves only 5 units of carbs that you have to burn through before you get to your 100 units of fat.
On the other hand, if you had done cardio first, you would have had to burn through all 30 of those units of carbs before you dipped into the 100 units of fat (again, greatly simplified). So, you can see that it is to your advantage to always do weights first, burn off the carbs, and then hit the cardio to burn off the fat.
