Are you confused about whether to start your workout with cardio or resistance training? Do you want to know which one is more effective in achieving your fitness goals? If yes, then you are in the right place. In this post, we will discuss whether you should do cardio or resistance first and the benefits of each.
The Pain Points
Many people face the dilemma of choosing between cardio and resistance training. Some believe that cardio should be done first as it helps in warming up the body, while others think that resistance training should be done first as it helps in building muscle mass. Choosing the wrong order can affect your performance and results.
Answer to Should You Do Cardio or Resistance First?
The answer to this question depends on your fitness goals. If your goal is to increase your endurance and burn calories, then you should start with cardio. On the other hand, if your goal is to build muscle mass and strength, then you should start with resistance training. However, if you have limited time, you can combine both cardio and resistance training in one session.
Summary
In summary, whether you should do cardio or resistance first depends on your fitness goals. If you want to improve your endurance and burn calories, start with cardio. If you want to build muscle mass and strength, start with resistance training. Combining both in a single session is also an option.
Starting with Cardio
When I started my fitness journey, my goal was to lose weight and improve my overall health. I started with cardio, and it helped me in achieving my goals. I started with a 10-minute brisk walk on the treadmill and gradually increased the time and intensity. Cardio helped me in burning calories, improving my endurance, and reducing stress levels.
Starting with Resistance Training
After achieving my weight loss goals, I shifted my focus to building muscle mass and strength. I started with resistance training and saw significant improvements in my body composition. I started with bodyweight exercises like push-ups, squats, and lunges and gradually increased the intensity by adding weights. Resistance training helped me in building muscle mass, boosting my metabolism, and improving my overall strength.
The Benefits of Cardio
Cardiovascular exercise, also known as cardio, is any exercise that increases your heart rate and breathing rate. Some benefits of cardio include:
- Burning calories and losing weight
- Improving heart health
- Reducing the risk of chronic diseases
- Boosting mood and reducing stress levels
The Benefits of Resistance Training
Resistance training is any exercise that involves lifting weights, using resistance bands, or bodyweight exercises. Some benefits of resistance training include:
- Building muscle mass and strength
- Increasing metabolism and burning more calories at rest
- Reducing the risk of chronic diseases
- Improving bone density and reducing the risk of osteoporosis
Combining Cardio and Resistance Training
If you have limited time, you can combine both cardio and resistance training in one session. This is known as circuit training, where you perform a set of resistance exercises followed by a set of cardio exercises. This type of training helps in improving your overall fitness level, burning calories, and building muscle mass.
Question and Answer
Q. Should I do cardio or resistance training first if my goal is weight loss?
A. If your goal is weight loss, you should start with cardio as it helps in burning calories.
Q. Can I do cardio and resistance training on the same day?
A. Yes, you can do both cardio and resistance training on the same day. Just make sure to start with the exercise that aligns with your fitness goals.
Q. How often should I do cardio and resistance training?
A. It depends on your fitness goals and fitness level. However, a general recommendation is to do cardio for at least 150 minutes per week and resistance training for at least two days per week.
Q. Can I do cardio and resistance training on alternate days?
A. Yes, you can do cardio and resistance training on alternate days. This is known as split training and helps in preventing overtraining and reducing the risk of injury.
Conclusion of Should You Do Cardio or Resistance First
In conclusion, whether you should do cardio or resistance first depends on your fitness goals. If you want to improve your endurance and burn calories, start with cardio. If you want to build muscle mass and strength, start with resistance training. Combining both in a single session is also an option. So, choose the order that works best for you and your fitness goals.
