Are you someone who hits the gym regularly but is unsure whether to start with cardio or weight training? If yes, then this blog post is for you!
Many people are confused about whether they should do cardio before weight training or vice versa. This confusion arises due to the mixed opinions and advice available on the internet.
The target of this blog post is to explain whether cardio is necessary before weight training or not and provide you with sufficient information to make an informed decision.
To summarize, we will cover the following points:
- Explanation of is cardio necessary before weight training
- Personal experiences and opinions from fitness enthusiasts
- In-depth explanation of the topic
- Tips on how to incorporate cardio and weight training in your workout routine
- Question and answer section
What is Cardio Necessary Before Weight Training?
Cardio or cardiovascular exercise is any activity that increases the heart rate, breathing rate and circulation of oxygen in the body. It includes activities such as running, cycling, swimming, brisk walking, etc.
Weight training, on the other hand, is a form of exercise that uses resistance to build strength and muscle. It includes activities such as lifting weights, bodyweight exercises, and resistance band training.
Now, coming to the question at hand - is cardio necessary before weight training? The answer to this largely depends on your fitness goals and workout routine.
Personal Experiences and Opinions
Many fitness enthusiasts and experts have different opinions on whether cardio should be done before or after weight training.
Some believe that cardio should be done before weight training to warm up the body and prepare it for the intense workout ahead. Others believe that weight training should be done first to maximize muscle growth and strength gains.
Personally, I prefer doing cardio after weight training as it helps me burn more calories and get a good stretch after lifting weights. However, everyone's body is different, and you should experiment to find what works best for you.
In-depth Explanation
Cardio before weight training can help increase circulation and warm up the body, which can reduce the risk of injury. It can also help burn more calories during the workout as the body uses stored carbohydrates for energy.
However, doing cardio before weight training can also lead to fatigue, which can reduce the intensity and effectiveness of your weight training workout. It can also cause muscle damage and decrease muscle protein synthesis, which can hinder muscle growth and strength gains.
On the other hand, weight training before cardio can help increase muscle protein synthesis, which can lead to better muscle growth and strength gains. It can also help prevent muscle damage and reduce the risk of injury during cardio.
However, weight training before cardio can also lead to reduced energy levels during the cardio workout, which can reduce the number of calories burned. It can also lead to muscle fatigue and soreness, which can affect the intensity and effectiveness of the cardio workout.
Tips on Incorporating Cardio and Weight Training
One way to incorporate both cardio and weight training in your workout routine is to alternate between the two. For example, you could do cardio on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and weight training on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
You could also do a combination of the two in the same workout. For example, you could start with 10-15 minutes of cardio to warm up, followed by weight training, and end with another 10-15 minutes of cardio to cool down.
Question and Answer Section
Q: Is it necessary to do cardio before weight training?
A: No, it is not necessary to do cardio before weight training. It largely depends on your fitness goals and workout routine.
Q: Can I lose weight by doing weight training alone?
A: Yes, weight training can help you lose weight by building lean muscle mass, which in turn increases your metabolism and helps burn more calories throughout the day.
Q: How much cardio should I do per week?
A: The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week.
Q: Can I do cardio and weight training on the same day?
A: Yes, you can do cardio and weight training on the same day. Just make sure to space them out and allow enough time for rest and recovery between the two.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether cardio is necessary before weight training largely depends on your fitness goals and workout routine. Both cardio and weight training have their benefits and drawbacks, and the best way to incorporate them in your workout routine is to experiment and find what works best for you.
