Are you someone who loves to start your workout with a cardio session? Or do you prefer to lift weights first? One question that often confuses gym-goers is whether they should do cardio before or after lifting weights. In this article, we will focus on the topic of whether we can do cardio before a workout and shed light on the myths and facts surrounding it.
Many people believe that doing cardio before a workout can decrease their strength and muscle gain. This belief is based on the assumption that cardio consumes glycogen stores, leading to a decrease in energy levels during weight lifting. However, this is not entirely true. Recent studies have shown that doing cardio before a workout can increase blood flow to the muscles, which can help you get more out of every rep.
So, can we do cardio before a workout? The answer is yes. In fact, doing cardio before a workout can have many benefits. It can increase your heart rate, warm up your muscles, and improve your endurance. However, it's important to keep in mind that the intensity and duration of your cardio workout should be appropriate to avoid exhaustion during weight lifting.
In summary, cardio before a workout is not a myth, and it can have many benefits. However, it's important to find the right balance between cardio and weight lifting to avoid exhaustion and get the most out of your workout.
Benefits of Doing Cardio Before a Workout
Before we delve into the benefits of doing cardio before a workout, let me share with you my personal experience. I'm someone who prefers to start my workout with a cardio session. I usually do 10-15 minutes of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on a treadmill or stationary bike. Doing cardio before a workout helps me get in the right mindset and energizes me for the rest of my workout. Here are some of the benefits of doing cardio before a workout:
Improved Endurance
Cardio before a workout can improve your endurance by increasing your heart rate and oxygen intake. This can help you perform better during weight lifting and reduce the risk of fatigue and injury.
Increased Calorie Burn
Cardio before a workout can help you burn more calories by increasing your metabolic rate. This can lead to weight loss and improved overall health.
Tips for Doing Cardio Before a Workout
If you're planning to do cardio before a workout, here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Choose the Right Type of Cardio
Choose a cardio workout that is appropriate for your fitness level and goals. High-intensity interval training (HIIT), cycling, and running are great options to get your heart rate up and warm up your muscles.
2. Keep it Short and Intense
Do a short and intense cardio workout to avoid exhaustion during weight lifting. Aim for 10-15 minutes of HIIT or 20-30 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio.
3. Don't Forget to Stretch
Stretching after cardio can help loosen up tight muscles and prevent injury during weight lifting. Focus on stretching your legs, back, and shoulders.
FAQs
1. Should I do cardio before or after lifting weights?
It depends on your fitness goals. If you're looking to build muscle, it's recommended to do weight lifting first and cardio second. If you're looking to improve endurance and burn more calories, doing cardio before weight lifting can be beneficial.
2. How long should I do cardio before a workout?
Aim for 10-15 minutes of HIIT or 20-30 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio before a workout.
3. Can cardio before a workout decrease muscle gain?
No, cardio before a workout does not decrease muscle gain. In fact, it can increase blood flow to the muscles, which can help you get more out of every rep.
4. Is it bad to do cardio every day?
It's not bad to do cardio every day, but it's important to give your body time to recover. Aim for 3-5 days of cardio per week and mix it up with weight lifting and rest days.
Conclusion
So, can we do cardio before a workout? The answer is yes. Cardio before a workout can have many benefits, including improved endurance, increased calorie burn, and better blood flow to the muscles. However, it's important to find the right balance between cardio and weight lifting to avoid exhaustion and get the most out of your workout. Remember to choose the right type of cardio, keep it short and intense, and don't forget to stretch.
