Are you confused about whether to start with HIIT or weight training at the gym? Do you want to know which one to prioritize to achieve your fitness goals? If yes, then keep reading to clear your confusion and make an informed decision.
Pain Points Related to Should I Do HIIT or Weight Training First
Many gym-goers are confused about whether to start with HIIT or weight training. The reason behind this confusion is that both types of exercises are equally important for overall fitness and weight loss. However, it is essential to know which one to prioritize to achieve your fitness goals effectively.
Answer to Should I Do HIIT or Weight Training First
If your primary goal is weight loss, then you should start with HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) before weight training. HIIT helps to boost your metabolism and burn more calories throughout the day, even after your workout. On the other hand, if your primary goal is to build muscle, then you should start with weight training before HIIT. Weight training helps to increase muscle mass and strength, which is essential for muscle building.
Summary of Main Points Related to Should I Do HIIT or Weight Training First
In summary, whether you should start with HIIT or weight training first depends on your fitness goals. If you want to lose weight, start with HIIT before weight training. If you want to build muscle, start with weight training before HIIT. Prioritizing the right exercise will help you achieve your fitness goals more effectively.
Starting with HIIT
If you want to start with HIIT, you can begin with a 10-15 minute warm-up to get your body ready for the intense workout. Then, you can perform HIIT exercises such as sprinting, jumping jacks, burpees, or cycling at high intensity for 30 seconds to 1 minute, followed by a 30-second rest period. Repeat this cycle for 15-20 minutes, and then cool down with a 5-10 minute stretching session.
Starting with Weight Training
If you want to start with weight training, you can begin with a 10-15 minute warm-up to get your muscles ready for the workout. Then, you can perform compound exercises such as squats, deadlifts, bench press, or pull-ups, followed by isolation exercises such as bicep curls or tricep extensions. Aim to perform 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps for each exercise, with a 1-2 minute rest period between sets. After completing your weight training session, you can perform some cardio exercises to burn extra calories.
Benefits of HIIT
HIIT has numerous benefits, such as:
- Boosts metabolism and burns calories even after your workout
- Improves cardiovascular health
- Increases endurance and stamina
- Helps to reduce body fat percentage
Benefits of Weight Training
Weight training also has numerous benefits, such as:
- Increases muscle mass and strength
- Improves bone density and reduces the risk of osteoporosis
- Boosts metabolism and burns calories even after your workout
- Helps to reduce body fat percentage
My Personal Experience
Personally, I prefer to start with weight training before HIIT because my primary goal is to build muscle. I perform compound exercises such as squats, deadlifts, bench press, and pull-ups before isolation exercises such as bicep curls or tricep extensions. After completing my weight training session, I perform some cardio exercises like cycling or rowing to burn extra calories.
Question and Answer Section
Q. Can I perform HIIT and weight training on the same day?
A. Yes, you can perform HIIT and weight training on the same day, but it is essential to prioritize one exercise over the other based on your fitness goals.
Q. How often should I perform HIIT and weight training?
A. You can perform HIIT and weight training 2-3 times per week each, based on your fitness level and goals.
Q. Can HIIT replace weight training for muscle building?
A. No, HIIT cannot replace weight training for muscle building because weight training is essential for building muscle mass and strength.
Q. Can I perform HIIT and weight training on an empty stomach?
A. It is not recommended to perform HIIT or weight training on an empty stomach because it can lead to fatigue, low blood sugar, and decreased performance. It is essential to have a small meal or snack before exercise.
Conclusion of Should I Do HIIT or Weight Training First
In conclusion, whether you should start with HIIT or weight training first depends on your fitness goals. If your primary goal is weight loss, start with HIIT before weight training. If your primary goal is to build muscle, start with weight training before HIIT. Prioritizing the right exercise will help you achieve your fitness goals more effectively.