By Mahika / 08 Jul 2020
What Should I Do First – Cardio or Weights?
The fitness world can be overwhelming, especially for beginners. One of the most common questions is whether you should prioritize cardio or weight training in your workout routine. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, and the best approach depends on your individual goals. This blog post will delve into the pros and cons of both approaches, helping you decide which fitness equipment best suits your needs.
So, let's evaluate the two scenarios one by one.
This approach is ideal if your primary goal is building strength, such as training for a weightlifting competition. Here's why:
Research suggests that doing cardio after weight training may promote fat burning. This is because your body utilizes stored fat for energy after weight training, leading to more efficient weight loss. So, if you aim to tone your physique and shed belly fat, prioritizing weights might be beneficial. Remember, weight loss is a combination of factors, including a balanced diet and consistent exercise, not just increased cardio.
Cardio first, weights later
If your fitness goal is to increase your aerobic strength, per se, to train for a marathon, doing cardio first is what will help you. This is because your initial and the foremost energy will be focused on your end goal which is to hike up that stamina.
Cardio is one of the best ways to ensure that your body warms-up so as to avoid injuries like strains and sprains. When your body starts to run, the muscles open up which helps to raise your body temperature and increase the blood flow. This ultimately helps to reduce the risk of injuries and muscle soreness.
It’s always a better option to opt for a steady-cardio than a HIIT workout so that your body doesn’t get tired for the strength training. A good cardio is always beneficial not just for the body, but also the mind. For instance, even going for a brisk walk is considered as a great steady-cardio workout and can be compared to a 10-minute-run.
Consistency is always the key. Doing cardio everyday for about 20-30 minutes is not just good for your weight loss, but also good for your health. Going for a walk or a run everyday also helps your body to slow down the aging process. Every activity has its own benefits, what’s more important is the consistency of how it is carried out.
So, does it really matter what comes first?
On the wider plethora of things, fortunately, it doesn’t make that big a difference. While on the contrary, research has shown different results for different people. In simpler terms, it mostly depends on your goals and what you want to work on before the other.
Safe to say, a judicious mix of both is a must. But the human body is designed to work like a timer. First it does the work with full concentration and dedication but as the timer starts to run out, the goal is not to do well, but to simply finish the work. Similarly, when you initially start to put in effort as you begin your workout routine, your body gives in everything. But, as it starts to get tired, the work done isn’t as efficient as before.
Want to increase your stamina and aerobic endurance? Doing cardio first is the perfect fit. Want to pump up those muscles to get those biceps and a six-pack? Then, weight training before cardio is the better pick.
Nonetheless, what matters the most are your goals. This particularly means that if you lift weights for general fitness than a goal-oriented body, then hitting up your cardio levels can be beneficial to improve your cardiovascular strength. Keep progressing and bettering yourself. Being fit is always a better option for it not just makes you feel better about yourself, but above all, it makes you healthier. And that, should always be a priority. So, get going! Don’t quit, you got this!
