When it comes to designing an effective workout routine, one of the most commonly asked questions is whether to do cardio or weights first.

The answer depends on your fitness goals and preferences.  Please see the benefits and drawbacks of doing cardio or weights first and hope this post will help you make an informed decision.

Benefits of Doing Cardio First:

Increases Heart Rate: Starting your workout with cardio can increase your heart rate, breathing, and blood flow to your muscles, preparing your body for a more intense workout.

Burns More Calories: Cardio is an effective way to burn calories and increase your overall energy expenditure. Doing cardio first can help you burn more calories during your workout.

Improves Endurance: Doing cardio first can improve your overall endurance, allowing you to perform better during your weightlifting session.

Drawbacks of Doing Cardio First:

Fatigue: Doing cardio first can leave you feeling fatigued and decrease your energy levels, making it challenging to perform weightlifting exercises with proper form.

Decreased Strength: Cardio can deplete your energy stores, leading to decreased strength and endurance during your weightlifting session.

Reduced Muscle Growth: Doing cardio first can reduce your body’s ability to build muscle, as it depletes your glycogen stores, which are necessary for muscle growth.

Benefits of Doing Weights First:

Increases Strength: Starting your workout with weights can increase your strength and endurance, allowing you to perform better during your cardio session.

Promotes Muscle Growth: Weightlifting exercises are an effective way to build muscle and increase your overall muscle mass, which can help you burn more calories and improve your overall health.

Boosts Metabolism: Weightlifting exercises can boost your metabolism, helping you burn more calories throughout the day.

Drawbacks of Doing Weights First:

Increased Risk of Injury: Weightlifting exercises require proper form and technique, which can be challenging to maintain if you’re fatigued from cardio.

Decreased Cardiovascular Performance: Doing weights first can decrease your cardiovascular performance, making it more challenging to perform cardio exercises at a high intensity.

Less Effective for Weight Loss: While weightlifting can help you build muscle and increase your metabolism, it’s not as effective for weight loss as cardio.

The decision to do cardio or weights first ultimately depends on your fitness goals and preferences. If your goal is to improve cardiovascular endurance or burn more calories, start with cardio. However, if you want to build muscle, increase strength, or improve your metabolism, start with weights. It’s also essential to allow adequate time for recovery and avoid overtraining. Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with different workout routines to find what works best for you.