We all know that you're supposed to do cardio right when you wake up before eating. However, we also all know that that is not always possible. My question is, if I MUST lift and do cardio in the same workout session, is it better to do the cardio first or the lifting first?

I've heard that it's actually an optimal time to do cardio after a lifting workout, but on the other side of the spectrum, our friends over at ast-ss.com say that doing cardio prior to lifting prevents lifting to maximum potential while doing cardio after will interfere with the muscle repairing process from the lifting you just did. However, I have read several other places theories that contradict the latter.

So, what do we think? If I must do cardio and lift in the same session, cardio first or lifting first?

What the hell are you talking about? Who does cardio in the same session as lifting? You're supposed to separate the two by at least 8 hours to avoid cannibalizing your muscle. Do us a favor and post a list of the 'other places' that claim the opposite so that we can make it a point never to believe anything written there again.

I'm glad you are so pleasant in your response. [end_sarcasm]

I've read it in several articles in FLEX magazine as well as on other forums. The bottom line is not everyone CAN separate the lifting and cardio by 8 hrs and there must be something you can do when this occurs.

What the hell are you talking about?
Now that's not the d!abolic I know. Are you having a bad day man?

I want everyone to feel free to disagree and question as they see fit, but not at the expense of civility and courtesy. Thanks. :)

We all know that you're supposed to do cardio right when you wake up before eating. However, we also all know that that is not always possible. My question is, if I MUST lift and do cardio in the same workout session, is it better to do the cardio first or the lifting first?

I've heard that it's actually an optimal time to do cardio after a lifting workout, but on the other side of the spectrum, our friends over at ast-ss.com say that doing cardio prior to lifting prevents lifting to maximum potential while doing cardio after will interfere with the muscle repairing process from the lifting you just did. However, I have read several other places theories that contradict the latter.

So, what do we think? If I must do cardio and lift in the same session, cardio first or lifting first?That's a tough question to answer because it goes against the grain of what many of us, myself included, believe to be best. Doing cardio before weight training will effect your strength and the intensity of your workout, and doing it after weight training will interfere with the time you should be getting your post-workout nutrients. So it's hard to endorse either one! Is there some reason you must do cardio on weight training days? If there is any possible way to alter your schedule, I'd look at that first.

Well, it's not every workout where I do cardio after. I'd say 1 out of 3. It's just that with work at 9am till 5pm, I can't always get up first to do cardio. I try to at least twice a week. The other days I do cardio at night I don't lift and one of the nights I usually lift first.

Perhaps I shouldn't be doing cardio 6 days a week?

Well, this might be longwinded but I will try to be as brief as I can. First it really depends on your goals. Are you trying to gain size or is fat loss your priority. Also, do you have a fast or slow metabolism? I lean guy who has trouble gaining muscle should not be doing cardio on the same day. Someone like John Stone, who had very specific weight loss goals to begin with, seemed to kick serious tail with this type of high intense brief cardio sessions. I also find that people tend to read too many things on other sites and think of them as the gospel. I have to admit, even previously being an exercise physiologist for a cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitaion center, an owner operator of a personal training business for 6 years, and now a Health and Physical Education Teacher, I have lost (given up) what used to work for me in the past when I was in my late teens and in my twenties. I started reading forums this last year on bodybuilding and tried some other methods and quite frankly I gained fat because I changed what usually worked for me in the past. Case in point. I started eating an extra meal before bed. A protein shake with flax seed oil and no fat milk. I did that for two months and quite honestly I gained fat alot of it. And also stopped doing cardio as much. That is how I found this web site from bb.com. I saw John's progress and took a big look at myself and said "Man, who are you kidding, you are geting fat not big." So I have am now Day Five into a six month ripping festival and I already have dropped 5 lbs. (Probably mostly water weight from coming off of the creatine.) Bottom line: If it works it ain't broken. End rant.

Well, it's not every workout where I do cardio after. I'd say 1 out of 3. It's just that with work at 9am till 5pm, I can't always get up first to do cardio. I try to at least twice a week. The other days I do cardio at night I don't lift and one of the nights I usually lift first.

Perhaps I shouldn't be doing cardio 6 days a week?9-5?? Okay man, you just lost me. :)

Look, I work 60-70 hours a week, run 2 web sites that are updated daily, am married, a homeowner and I even do all the cooking! :p Not to mention the emails.........

The answer is simple: get yer butt out of bed a little earlier, do your cardio in the morning and lift after work. :tu:

Oh, and I think 3-4 days a week for cardio should be plenty.

9-5?? Okay man, you just lost me. :)

Look, I work 60-70 hours a week, run 2 web sites that are updated daily, am married, a homeowner and I even do all the cooking! :p Not to mention the emails.........

The answer is simple: get yer butt out of bed a little earlier, do your cardio in the morning and lift after work. :tu:

Oh, and I think 3-4 days a week for cardio should be plenty.


Hehe, I know what you mean. I've been getting my butt up at 6am every weekday since I've started my program. While it can be rough, I can't imagine going back to my old, unhealthy lifestyle. Even though I dread waking up so early, I forget all about as soon as I walk into the gym.

9-5?? Okay man, you just lost me. :)

Look, I work 60-70 hours a week, run 2 web sites that are updated daily, am married, a homeowner and I even do all the cooking! :p Not to mention the emails.........

The answer is simple: get yer butt out of bed a little earlier, do your cardio in the morning and lift after work. :tu:

Oh, and I think 3-4 days a week for cardio should be plenty.

haha, believe me, I wholeheartidly agree with you about getting up early. I do get up at 7am to do cardio at least 2 days of the week. However, with all due respect, I am in college and it's not always so easy getting to bed at a reasonable hour. Therefore, I can't always get up on 3-4 hrs sleep, do an intense cardio workout, work for 8 hrs and then lift for 1-1.5 hrs. I'd die.

I catch your drift though. Basically I think I am going to cut out the cardio on the days I can't get up early enough. 3-4 days of cardio should still be sufficient I assume.

My goals are to maintain or increase my muscle mass, but more importantly, lose every ounce of fat off my body. I'm not overweight by any means, I have a decent 6-pack and what have you. It just could definitely be better.

Thanks for the input. I guess FLEX magazine offers some crappy advice?

Eh It sounds like you are trying to come up with an excuse. Why would you do it the wrong way if you know what way is actually better.

Here is another question. I im into full contact sparring which is hugely cardio. Is it ok to lift in the mornings and spar 8 hours later? I cant exactly have them reschedule classes.

Thanks

Edge

PS I'm using max-ot. D!abolic recommended this site from another forum (im kilrz06)

Eh It sounds like you are trying to come up with an excuse. Why would you do it the wrong way if you know what way is actually better.

Here is another question. I im into full contact sparring which is hugely cardio. Is it ok to lift in the mornings and spar 8 hours later? I cant exactly have them reschedule classes.

Thanks

Edge

PS I'm using max-ot. D!abolic recommended this site from another forum (im kilrz06)

I am not about to cause a fight, but do not come in here and tell me I am trying to make up an excuse. I work my ass of in everything I do and there is not always a way to separate my cardio and lifting by 8 hrs. The gym alone is a 15 min walk each way, so that's an hour a day wasted in just walking.

Anyway, in response to your question, it should be fine. When I am on breaks, I lift in the mornings and practice Martial Arts in the evening which involves heavy duty sparring every other week.

I am not about to cause a fight, but do not come in here and tell me I am trying to make up an excuse. I work my ass of in everything I do and there is not always a way to separate my cardio and lifting by 8 hrs. The gym alone is a 15 min walk each way, so that's an hour a day wasted in just walking.

Anyway, in response to your question, it should be fine. When I am on breaks, I lift in the mornings and practice Martial Arts in the evening which involves heavy duty sparring every other week.

No offense man, didnt mean to upset you. Just by reading it people where saying well there isnt really a good way and you s houldnt do it like that but you kept coming back to the same point.. its tough for people to recommend something wehn they know its bad for you. I was actually supporting you in your weightlifting by trying to make you realize not to do it the wrong way.

Seriously, no offense. Especially to a fellow martial arts brother. Hey we are all about the dicipline right?

Peace.

Edge :gl:

Yeah, sorry, I didn't intend to come off hostile. Anyway, I know it's not "recommended", but there has to be a solution for those who don't have a choice. I said it is only every now and then. Anyhow, no hard feelings and thanks for the input.

Put me down as someone who works out 3-4 days a week and combines cardio with weight lifting on those days. My routine involves about 40 mins of intense cardio workout followed by 30-40 mins of resistance/weight training. I arrived at this schedule because it's what my work/home life currently affords me.

Yes, I could push myself to workout 7 days a week and alternate cardio and weight training. And there are times when I am so wiped by the cardio that it affects my weight training. But, I've still managed to improve my health and cholesterol score, drop 20 lbs, and tone my body. Obviously, I'm never going to be very ripped or bulked by doing this routine, but it's what works for me right now.

Darren

We all know that you're supposed to do cardio right when you wake up before eating. However, we also all know that that is not always possible. My question is, if I MUST lift and do cardio in the same workout session, is it better to do the cardio first or the lifting first?

I've heard that it's actually an optimal time to do cardio after a lifting workout, but on the other side of the spectrum, our friends over at ast-ss.com say that doing cardio prior to lifting prevents lifting to maximum potential while doing cardio after will interfere with the muscle repairing process from the lifting you just did. However, I have read several other places theories that contradict the latter.

So, what do we think? If I must do cardio and lift in the same session, cardio first or lifting first?