Cardio Exercise before or after weight lifting?

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makaveli777

Bluelighter
Joined
Jan 14, 2006
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My usual routine is to go to the gym, work a certain area of muscles, and do 30 minutes on the elliptical (500 cal burn). My question was whether or not I should do the cardio exercise before or after the lifting.

On another note, I've noticed some difficulty breathing after lifting weights toward my chest. Not necessarily the bench press, but pulling weight TOWARD my chest, for example bicep curls. I am yet to find a way to strengthen my biceps without having discomfort in my chest and difficulty breathing.

Is it possible to inflame or strengthen tissue around your diaphram area? I feel like i may be doing such, and its giving me a great deal of pain. I also have terrible posture, wonder if that would matter.
 
do it after...there's tons of studies on this...i consume a protein shake and some bcaas after my weights and before cardio to prevent catabolism...

I also warmup with cardio for 5-10 minutes to get the blood flowing
 
makaveli777 said:
My usual routine is to go to the gym, work a certain area of muscles, and do 30 minutes on the elliptical (500 cal burn). My question was whether or not I should do the cardio exercise before or after the lifting.

On another note, I've noticed some difficulty breathing after lifting weights toward my chest. Not necessarily the bench press, but pulling weight TOWARD my chest, for example bicep curls. I am yet to find a way to strengthen my biceps without having discomfort in my chest and difficulty breathing.

Is it possible to inflame or strengthen tissue around your diaphram area? I feel like i may be doing such, and its giving me a great deal of pain. I also have terrible posture, wonder if that would matter.
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Are you breathing right? (ie exhaling when you need to)
 
I always do my cardio 1st. I cant put 100% into strength training unless I'm good and warmed up. Only cardio will warm me up gradually to a sweat I can sustain while I lift weights.
 
I am breathing correctly yes. This brings up another question for me... Because, as i previously mentioned, i have terrible posture, should i lock my shoulders in to GOOD posture while lifting weights, or keep them as they are.?
 
makaveli777 said:
I am breathing correctly yes. This brings up another question for me... Because, as i previously mentioned, i have terrible posture, should i lock my shoulders in to GOOD posture while lifting weights, or keep them as they are.?
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My posture is terrible as well really improved when i started back work (was dum and just did the beach muscles bi's n chest etc... lol) Love the feeling of getting off the pulldown machine of finishing my chin up sets and my back stays nice and straight :). Dont no if you should lock your shoulders... i just try and keep my back as straight as possible if not a little arched in alll exercises.

Also Ide do the weights first and cardio stuff after. Use your aptc or what ever its called while its fresh and then do your cardio n work the anearobic energy or what ever its called :).
 
AfterGlow said:
I always do my cardio 1st. I cant put 100% into strength training unless I'm good and warmed up. Only cardio will warm me up gradually to a sweat I can sustain while I lift weights.
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You must do pretty light cardio ;)

The old adage I've always heard, is that if you want to build size, you do cardio after lifting weights. Maybe do a light 5=10 min mini cardio warmup just to get the blood flowing. But I like lifting while I'm still fresh.

I usually do cardio really early in the morning, then workout later on in the day sometime. Best of both worlds IMO.
 
KStoner6tb said:
You must do pretty light cardio ;)

The old adage I've always heard, is that if you want to build size, you do cardio after lifting weights. Maybe do a light 5=10 min mini cardio warmup just to get the blood flowing. But I like lifting while I'm still fresh.

I usually do cardio really early in the morning, then workout later on in the day sometime. Best of both worlds IMO.
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I disagree with the idea that cardio would be best to do after a workout when trying to put on size since it would delay the time before the bber could get in a meal.

Cardio in the AM with lifting in the PM is certainly the best way to go though - I agree with you there.
 
You can always sip a shake whilst doing cardio and then have your meal as soon as you get in...
 
Throw some time on a cardio rowing machine and for gods sake keep your back neutral and your head up!

I see many old folks at the gym spending 30+ minutes on this with thier back arched like a rainbow and in apparent pain.

but that machine should get your in better shape for upper back excersizes.

as for cardio, depends on your goals, when powerlifting I just run for 5 minutes then lift, then leave.

but mostly I do cardio on my days out of the gym, since I have two days between workouts at least. and it prevents me from entirely extinguishing my resources with running and lifting on the same days.
 
Personally I think most posture issues can be improved significantly, if not corrected completely through proper training. It is IMPERATIVE that you work EVERY body group and not just your "favorites". I'm amazed at how many guys will work only Chest / Biceps and Triceps and completely ignore legs, abs / core, back and shoulders. And the look like shit as a result. Remember the goal is symetry, balance and completeness. It takes discipline and research to come up with a comprehensive training plan. Never, ever, EVER walk into the gym without knowing EXACTLY what you will be working that day. Poor posture issues, (slumped shoulders, arched back) can be improved significantly simply by training back and shoulders.................and focusing on correcting posture. Don't just sit there or stand there with poor posture. PULL your shoulders back. Stand up straight. Force yourself to do it.

As for me.................I want all my raw, pure energy to go into the weights so that I can lift as heavy as I can so I will either do my cardio after lifting or on a day that I don't lift at all. Like others have commented, I just take a protein shake with me and down it between lifting and the cardio session.

Good Luck!
 
What PA said - I can't find the damn link anymore , but I tend to do the exact same - pwo shake / then I do low impact 30-45 min. Depends on goals you are going for of course. Some people love there morning cardio on an empty stomach - to me that's just too risky to eat away muscle if you are not careful. I like to do cardio around 11pm-1am time zone the most, but you need a 24 hour gym obviously for that.

side note .. I should never say I "like" cardio, because that's a damn lie :P
 
I always do my cardio after, as I've heard it's better, and I believe I have seen studies pointing to this too. I agree with Parooler that it may be a good idea to drink a protein shake after or towards the end of your lifting session before you do your cardio. Also, I think I may have heard that 30 min may be a little too long if you don't wan't catabolism. I normally keep my cardio around 10 minutes, but I keep it very high intensity. I normally do a full incline on like 10 mph for intervals as long as I can.
 
What would you put your BF at? Are you a naturally lean guy or the opposite?
 
I used to do light-ish cardio before lifting, used to get me pumping ready to lift. then do some lifting, take protein straight after. rest for a few minutes, then hammer the cardio. then do it all over again
 
The older I get the more 5-15 mins of cardio before lifting helps me get warmed up and have better work outs.
 
I do 30-45 minutes of cardio before my lifting.. I take gulps of my pre workout drink while I'm doing cardio
 
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