Cardio or Weights - Should You Lift Weights Before or After Cardio

Introduction

In this post, we will talk about one of the oldest fitness dilemmas: cardio, or weights? Also, we will try to explain which one should you do first if you choose to do both in a single workout. Let's begin!

If You Have To Choose, Pick Cardio

People, if your gym goals are primarily health-oriented (which they should be), and you don't have time to do both, then your best bet is to do some cardio training. A recent study showed that when it comes to metabolic health, endurance training beats strength training. And because there is nothing more important than physical health and longevity, you should focus on that. So, if one thing can make a difference when it comes to improving health, that seems to be cardio training.

But, You Don't Have To Choose

So, if you have to pick only one, that should be cardio. But, for most people, choosing both is the best idea. And it is not that difficult. First, if you have time, and you like to visit the gym often, it is a good idea to separate cardio exercises from weights. You can do strength training on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and you can do cardio on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. However, if you don't want to visit the gym almost every day, you can still do both, in a single session, and in the next section, we will explain how.

Cardio Or Weights First

When it comes to the question weights or cardio first, there is no strict answer, we can only provide you with some guidelines.

In The Morning Cardio Comes FIrst

First, when it comes to weights vs. cardio in the morning, it is a much better idea to start with cardio. When you wake up, your body is a bit stiff, as there's a lot of fluid in the spine. And getting under the barbell compressing the spine in a squat first thing in the morning is not exactly the smartest idea. So, do cardio first, and make sure to thoroughly warm-up before pumping iron.

Do The Hard Thing First

Now, weight lifting or cardio comes to your priorities and preferences. If you are the type that enjoys weights exercises, but you hate cardio, it is a good idea to do cardio first. That way, you can't skip it, which will often happen if you force yourself to do it after a hard lifting session. On the other hand, if you are a cardio fanatic, but don't like lifting, make sure you hit the weights first, for the same reasons described above.

Focus On Priorities

However, if you are involved in a specific type of training, for example, preparing for a marathon, you might reconsider your approach. Priorities come first, and if yours is endurance training, it is a better idea to focus on that, and leave the rest for later. The same goes if you want to set a new PR on squat or deadlift—don't train yourself on the treadmill before that.

Conclusion

As you can see, weights vs. cardio come to some common sense, and there are no right or wrong answers. To be completely healthy and good looking, you will need to find time for both, and that's the only truth. If you are interested in buying some quality cardio equipment or weight sets, StrengthAndFitness is the right place. We have the best prices in Ireland and sell only top quality gym equipment in Ireland, guaranteed to last.