The truth is no study has definitely proven whether the order of these exercises matters. It’s up to you to decide when to lift weights, either before or after an aerobic workout.
Here are some tips that can help you choose:
–A cardio session can be a good way to warm up before weightlifting, but don’t overdo it; fatigue might keep you from lifting weights correctly. A bad technique, or poor execution, can lead to injury.
–Weightlifting can deplete your muscles’ glycogen reserves, which provide the energy required for a short but intense workout, as well as for long resistance training. If you choose to strength train first, you might be too tired for an intense aerobic workout afterwards.
So what is the final word on weightlifting before or after? If you want to combine strength training and cardio in one session, go with whichever option feels better. For example, try lowering the intensity of one activity, then invert the order the next time around to see how it impacts your performance. Given the fact that there is no definite proof one way or the other, mixing things up will give you an important edge: strength training repetitions will no longer be boring.
