When to do cardio?

[PGJ]

When do you guys do cardio? In between workouts or at the end of workouts?

[eastcoastsurfer]

It's normally suggested to do it on your off days or after you lift. Personally, I end up doing it on my off day and on days after I lift when I don't do any lower body work.

[Newbie]

It's been suggested that you get a better benefit, metabolically, if you do cardio the same day as your workouts. Doesn't have to be right after your workout. You could do one in the morning and the other in the evening. But it is good to have days off from both; where you have no workout at all, cardio or otherwise. It's not like you're giving your body a total day off, as it will use these days for serious recovery and cell building.

[PGJ]

That's what I'm wondering about. I've been on a lift one day, cardio the next, rest a day then repeat cycle for a long time. I'm not sure I have the energy to run immediately after lifting (especially after squats or deadlifts).

[John Izzo]

I have been doing cardio for the last year BEFORE my total body workouts 3x/week. My cardio consists of 20 minutes intervals (treadmill or cross trainer). Theyare short, effective and then I "cool-down" with some activation/mobility drills. Then I follwo-up with 5 compound exercises. At 32, I feel more conditioned than when I was 22.

Alot of people complain they won't have the energy to hit the weights after cardio. But if you start with 10 minutes and use the activation as active recovery, you can build on your time and intensity.

[eastcoastsurfer]

What standapart has shown is that basically there is no 'right' way. Try a few different things and go with what works for you