weight training or cardio first?

[poker kitten]

when i get to the gym im always psyched up for some cardio but ive been told that i should do my weight training first?
does this really make a difference, and if so why?

 

[SarahPT]

Yes, it makes a very big difference. It's important to do your weight training first. If you've done cardio it's a good idea to rest and eat again before doing weights. Cardio will deplete your glycogen stores and leave you nothing to run on to do weights. As a personal trainer I always tell people to eat before doing weights and don't do any other exercise before weights, unless you've rested for a few hours. It really makes more of a difference than you would think.

Sarah

 

[jake478]

Weight First

From my experience, doing cardio tires you out too fast. You wont have enough energy to lift properly. It is not effective and you open yourself to injury from being tired.

 

[RoxyOViolet]

I guess it really depends. I know my trainer always tells me to do about 15 minutes of cardio before lifting to warm up the body and the heart, and if I want to I can do all of my cardio before hand. He tells me it just depends on how I feel.

I'm usually not depleted afterwards so I enjoy doing mine first. Plus, at my gym you fight for machines, so if you get on an elliptical you better stay on it!