cardio and weight training

[anniehall]

Is it counterproductive to do a cardio workout and then hit the weight room? I've been doing that because I'm on a time limit. There is no way I'll give up my 20-25 min. of cardio but the weight training is a new add on and I've heard it's counterproductive. I've had this program for 3 weeks and am not showing results yet.

[vin]

Of course it depends wholly on your goals and your current status, BUT, making some assumptions here:
It's the general consensus that it is beneficial to do the weight training PRE cardio. This maximizes the effectiveness of both (assuming you are doing cardio for fat loss).

[anniehall]

do you know why that is? I'm too tired after weight training to go for a run.

[vin]

My (limited) understanding of it is:
You will maximize your energy for the weight training, where it is most needed. After hitting the weights, your glycogen stores will be very low, allowing for maximal fat burning during cardio.
Again, I have no clue about your goals or current status, but if it IS fat loss, I'd say first and foremost figure out your diet. From my own experience, a lot of the details regarding workout timing and such are relatively unimportant compared to diet.

[Craig]

"After hitting the weights, your glycogen stores will be very low, allowing for maximal fat burning during cardio."

***Not true. Even exhaustive weight training, which I will bet that Annie is NOT doing, won't deplete your glycogen levels. Therefore, weight training done pre-cardio will have no extra benefits for fat burning.

That's making things far too complicated.


Annie, if you like doing it that way. Go for it. But if you aren't getting results...shouldn't you change something?

We always do weight training prior to interval training (the more effective method of "cardio").

Why don't you post your weight training program?


Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, M.Sc.
www.cbathletics.com
www.grrlAthlete.com

[dinabol]

Personally, I believe simultaneous cardio (or endurance training) blunts Strength gains and throws you into an overtraining state, but this is a body builder talking. However, I have read where aerobic workouts done immediately before strength training allows optimimum release of Human Growth HOrmone leading into your strength session which would allow optimimum release of Testosterone. However, this would also raise cortisol levels, leaving testosterone, HGH, and cortisol battling for the active receptor sites in the cells. this is not ideal. Personally in my cutting cycle I don't do any so-called cardio. I do however, cross train with high intensity sports such as basketball,raquetball,tennis, and badminton. Not only are they intense, they are fun. But that is just me. i'm sure others will disagree.