Running before or after lifting?

[jmoore919]

Which do you think is better? Running before or after you lift?

[scyyy]

I prefer after, so you don't tire yourself before lifting.

[jmoore919]

I prefer after, so you don't tire yourself before lifting.

I agree. Everytime I ask for fitness advice some people say lift after you run, others say run after you lift. It's all mixed nuts. But I actually agree that running is better after you lift.

[JimmyChew]

I always hit the iron first, then cardio after. From what I've experienced, it works far better for fat loss--and as previously mentioned, it doesn't take away from your weight training.

Cheers!

[bmontgomery87]

I prefer after, so you don't tire yourself before lifting.

this.

5-10 minute warmup before i lift.
then ill run hard for 15-25 minutes after

[king_brittany]

I do my Cardio after I lift.
I was once told that lifting weights before your cardio is best because your body will use immediate fats for your lifting and when it is time for your cardio session you will use stored fat, and you will be able to work off more of that fat you want to loose.

I know there is some science behind it... what I said my not be 100% correct but it is something along those lines! Google it!


Which do you think is better? Running before or after you lift?

[chicken17]

I do my Cardio after I lift.
I was once told that lifting weights before your cardio is best because your body will use immediate fats for your lifting and when it is time for your cardio session you will use stored fat, and you will be able to work off more of that fat you want to loose.

I know there is some science behind it... what I said my not be 100% correct but it is something along those lines! Google it!

I agree, run after you lift.

[SCOOBY_3W]

Which do you think is better? Running before or after you lift?

I personally run after I lift, you don't want to rob one to pay the other. I think it's best to lift while your fresh and get the most out of your session then finish with cardio and a cool down period.

[Shazriki]

I do my Cardio after I lift.
I was once told that lifting weights before your cardio is best because your body will use immediate fats for your lifting and when it is time for your cardio session you will use stored fat, and you will be able to work off more of that fat you want to loose.

I know there is some science behind it... what I said my not be 100% correct but it is something along those lines! Google it!

I think it has something to do with depletion of glycogen stores in the muscles after weight training leaving fat as the main available energy source. What I'm not sure about is if post workout cardio would deprive your muscles of growth energy, even if it is kept short. Maybe someone could elaborate on this.

[PeterGibbons316]

What a great question. Your question is so great that probably no one has ever asked it before. I was thinking that just maybe someone in the past had asked a similar question and so I spent an entire FIFTEEN SECONDS using the search function to try and find something related. Perhaps there is some advice in these threads that you might be able to use:

is cardio after lifting bad? (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=291769&highlight=running+lifting)
Cardio before or after lifting? (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=148452&highlight=running+lifting)
running before or after lifting? (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=256750&highlight=running+lifting)
running BEFORE lifting? (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=416413&highlight=running+lifting)
Running after lifting? (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=3342211&highlight=running+lifting)
Running before or after weight training (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=6219401&highlight=running+lifting)
Cardio before or after lifting during a cutting cycle? (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=129685513&highlight=running+lifting)
Running before or after lifting? (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=131001803&highlight=running+lifting)
Running- Before Or After? (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=4365343&highlight=running+lifting)
Running before workout or after? (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=7332831&highlight=running+lifting)

Seriously. The search function is there for a reason.

[hollysdad]

Let me the first (although I seriously doubt). You know what they say opinions are like a..holes everyone's got one and from the looks of your post so does this site.

[cclover98]

I do a quick warm up on the eliptical followed by weights, then interval cardio. I also do 4-5 hours of cardio a week and that has helped my fat loss. Then again, that's just my opinion

[scyyy]

What a great question. Your question is so great that probably no one has ever asked it before. I was thinking that just maybe someone in the past had asked a similar question and so I spent an entire FIFTEEN SECONDS using the search function to try and find something related. Perhaps there is some advice in these threads that you might be able to use:

is cardio after lifting bad? (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=291769&highlight=running+lifting)
Cardio before or after lifting? (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=148452&highlight=running+lifting)
running before or after lifting? (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=256750&highlight=running+lifting)
running BEFORE lifting? (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=416413&highlight=running+lifting)
Running after lifting? (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=3342211&highlight=running+lifting)
Running before or after weight training (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=6219401&highlight=running+lifting)
Cardio before or after lifting during a cutting cycle? (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=129685513&highlight=running+lifting)
Running before or after lifting? (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=131001803&highlight=running+lifting)
Running- Before Or After? (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=4365343&highlight=running+lifting)
Running before workout or after? (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=7332831&highlight=running+lifting)

Seriously. The search function is there for a reason.

You mad?

[tzyrren]

Which do you think is better? Running before or after you lift?

I always do cardio after I lift on weight training days but I also do a half hour to an hour every morning. I find cardio in the morning sets my metabolism in the high ranges for the day and strips fat after lifting.

[djeng264]

this.

5-10 minute warmup before i lift.
then ill run hard for 15-25 minutes after


Doing a 5-10 Min warm up is perfect dont tire yourself out just some something simple like a fast pace walk on a slight incline of some sort or a light jog. This is important to warm your body up and get your blood flowing better, ( Professional athletes always warm up before a game) Its because is extends your endurance and helps with strength.
If you plan to do cardio such as a longer run/jog /cycle or whatever.
Do it after your workout.
or if you have the time do cardio earlier in the morning to get a good jump start on your body. Different time aside from your workout.
Its also good to do a 2 min cooldown aswell every day after any sort of cardio/workout.

my source of information comes from my brothers a personal trainer for years and I'm undergoing getting certified as a trainer/nutritionist myself. I live for this and love to learn about the topic.

[m_jallaq]

run after

[Kory69187]

Not sure if there is any truth to it or not and i cant remember where i read it, but i remember reading somewhere that doing cardio after lifting helps burn fat better for one reason or another.

Dont quote me on this though.

[matthoss84]

The consensus seems to be that it's better to run after you lift but when should you take in protein? After your workout is completely over or between the lift and run?

[SSMGP]

It's always a good idea to do cardio after hitting the weights, no doubt.

[DaDeKong]

You mad?

he irate ..haha

[deedup15]

Its better for you to run after you lift..Its because after you have bulked up your muscle growth the cardio is supposed to then target the excess fat storage so thats why its best to run after. I hate running after cause lifting wears me out and I love to get that rush right before I lift. So I am a@% backwards on this theory but I do think its all the same for me that is..:)

[deedup15]

Oh Math00s whatever Sorry :)....Its better to do your WHOLE workout then take your protein shake..

[LeeHoustonX]

Definetely after. You use most of your testosterone in the first 30 mins of your workout.

[WeaponX24]

I usually do a ten minute warm up, hit the weights, and then finish with either 30 to 45 minutes of cardio. Try it!

[Musclemass1974]

i would say after lifting in my opinion

[Musclemass1974]

well said

[Musclemass1974]

I usually do a ten minute warm up, hit the weights, and then finish with either 30 to 45 minutes of cardio. Try it!

wow thats alot of cardio

[Musclemass1974]

really

[Musclemass1974]

great advice

[Musclemass1974]

great info

[Yenegh]

Thanks for asking this q.

Very good info...

[Jax05]

I do my Cardio after I lift.
I was once told that lifting weights before your cardio is best because your body will use immediate fats for your lifting and when it is time for your cardio session you will use stored fat, and you will be able to work off more of that fat you want to loose.

I know there is some science behind it... what I said my not be 100% correct but it is something along those lines! Google it!

Body can't use fats for immediate fuel. It uses stored glycogen.
Also, it's somewhat of a myth that it burns more calories from stored fat after lifting. The idea is that you deplete glycogen levels during lifting so body has to resort to stored fat for energy. However, the thing is you really have to work HARD to deplete glycogen stores at which point your muscles are really stressed out and you shouldn't be doing cardio at that point.
Anyway, it is still better to do cardio after lifting than before.

[theGuy045]

I agree. Everytime I ask for fitness advice some people say lift after you run, others say run after you lift. It's all mixed nuts. But I actually agree that running is better after you lift.

It's not mixed nuts. You are right.

[GetLikeMike23]

Don't get me wrong I do slight cardio (8 minutes) prior to my workout however it is only to warm my body up for the intense workout its about to go through. Look at like this though, would you rather burn all the carbs that you ate for workout by doing cardio and then having much fewer to run on during your workout. Or do a light warm up and use all those carbs for energy while you lift? I'm sure you can answer that one.

[Joe97]

you can run like 5 minutes before working out, to get the blood pumping, then lift, then run for however much time you want.

[Popcorn_fart]

do cardio after your weight session, the reason being it takes about 20 minutes or so(rough estimate) to switch from carb burning to fat burning. If you do weights first you have alot of glycogen in the system and plenty of strength to lift heavy. Having already burned the glycogen lifting weights you can then do cardio and already be in fat burning mode.

you know it makes sense ;)

[anonymaus]

i prefer to run early morning, eat a big meal after it and then lift

[jakebake]

how often do you guys do cardio? Also now that we know it is better to do it after lifting how long and how intense does it need to be to start burning fat? if 10-15 mins after how intense?

[lambskin]

I do cardio after weight training. I don't have enough energy left to lift after cardio.

[MrEx303]

Doing Cardio AFTER you lift actually raises your GH responses aswell which helps build muscle...You mos def wanna do Cardio AFTER but only bout 15-20 Minutes of A HIIT program to burn more calories in the session and through out the day and also save muscle mass.

[randygabriyal]

you have to run before lifting because after running your body will be perfect and starching..

[ectobruh]

after....or else strong waste of energy and time.

[simplynutrition]

If you run before you lift you will deplete your glycogen levels. Best to run after lifting.

[falldown09]

Which do you think is better? Running before or after you lift?

During!

[brad4189]

Let me the first (although I seriously doubt). You know what they say opinions are like a..holes everyone's got one and from the looks of your post so does this site.

I agree!!!! Guy went to a lot of trouble to be a jerk!

[MightyApe]

I usually do a ten minute warm up, hit the weights, and then finish with either 30 to 45 minutes of cardio. Try it!

Listen to him, he signed up in '06 and this is his second ever post, almost a post every 3 years, you must be very lucky to have him post here

[4evaFAP]

From my experience in burning fat, reducing bodyfat and overall increasing fitness levels. Always run after you lift.

I remember when I first started lifting, I started at 82KGs, after one week of dieting I was down to 80Kgs, and I stood still there for 3 weeks doing the same things. I then did HIIT after my lifts and watched 2Kgs come off each week down to 68kgs, so I feel cardio after lifting is more successful.

[alganas84]

hey man yeah for myself... i need to elevate my heart rate big time and get that surge of energy before i hit weights... since june ive been doing one hour runs, then one hour boxing on speed bag... and finally one hour of lifting. Sometimes I alternate going back and forth with lifting and boxing back forth for those two hours... but usually i go in that order. I run hard before i lift to elevate heart rate, get a really good sweat going so I focus on weights, and heres one benefit, to master technique in certain exercises. No doubt Im tired by the time I hit the weights but keeping my heart rate up allows me to continue, if I rested more than ten mins between any set, my weight training would suffer so in turn, it keeps me focused. This has arguably weird routine has worked for me in part cause i have very bad genetics so I wont recommend anything to you as Im certainly not qualified. This is just for your reference I suppose. Good luck.

[pokebreaker]

The type of energy you use (fat vs glucose) is commonly known to be regulated by the heart rate at that time, and it being sustained for a certain period of time. At higher heart rates, your body uses the glucose stores to provides sufficient energy to sustain the stress you are putting on it (with fat being used as well, but not as primary). At moderate to lower heart rates, your body uses fat (which is apparently the primary source of energy), to provide energy. Resistance exercise elevates your heart rate, and can actually provide a similar amount of fat burning, given that you keep your heart rate at a certain level while lifting, for a certain period of time. Think about when you did heavy squats, and how high your heart rate got. Cardio doesn't mean running, elliptical and treadmill, those are just exercises commonly known to be effective in maintenancing and improving the cardiovascular system. Cardio is basically the process of the heart and lungs effeciently processing oxygen into your bloodstream. So, really you could make your resistance workouts a cardio training session at the same time, with using heavy weights with shorter rest periods, anything that keeps your heart rate elevated in the right range (which is dependent on your condition) for an extended period of time. Anyway, sorry about the tangent, but I already started typing all of that, and didn't want to waste the inputted effort, lol.

My answer preference is based on what my goal is at that time. If I am looking to burn fat, then I will do elliptical before I lift, because the required heart rate is lower, and it won't exhaust my muscles as much. If I am looking to actually improve my cardio, which requires a higher heart rate (based on my current physical condition), I do it after lifting, due to the already exhausted muscles and that causing my heart rate to elevate quicker, allowing me to stay in the zone for a longer period of time (versus have to work up to, possibly wasting 3-4 minutes). It's the way I go about it, time permitting. FUN TIMES!

[fusaro87]

Hey guys unfortunately I haven't posted enough to put the actual link in the comment but if you get a chance, check out my youtube channel and subscribe for some motivation, inspiration, information on weight lifting, and basic fitness and nutrition! Also stop by my facebook page and give it a like, and become part of the growing community! Thanks for the support


youtube = mattyfusaro
facebook = fusarofitness

[FatherFirst]

Good info, I was actually wondering this myself. I have always ran after lifting. I might do a warm up run or bike before lifting to get my HR up but nothing serious.

[cyone]

From my experience in burning fat, reducing bodyfat and overall increasing fitness levels. Always run after you lift.

I remember when I first started lifting, I started at 82KGs, after one week of dieting I was down to 80Kgs, and I stood still there for 3 weeks doing the same things. I then did HIIT after my lifts and watched 2Kgs come off each week down to 68kgs, so I feel cardio after lifting is more successful.

Whats HIIT??

Thanks

[rzenith]

good thing is after lifting you need to run......shows good results!!

[Multisports19]

I run after lifting but i'm thinking of running my block in the morning and just lifting when i go to the gym in the afternoon.

[XShreddedX]

strong bumping^^ but ideally you should try to separate the two completely into two different workouts, if time/ schedule can't permit this, it is best to lift first, with a short 3-5min cardio warm-up, followed by a 10+ (depending on intensity) cardio session afterward

[NameIsNick]

That's what I've found:

"A study from the Human Performance Research Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, examined what happened to ten men who did resistance only, run only, resistance-run, and run-resistance sessions. (‘Resistance-run’ means weights before cardio and vice versa.)

Here’s what they reported:

1. EPOC, the measure of the afterburn or energy output after you stop exercising was greatest when cardio was done before weight training.
2. Running after a weights session was physiologically more difficult than doing it before lifting weights. (This has implications for efficiency and possibly safety.)
3. The researchers recommend “performing aerobic exercise before resistance exercise when combining them into one exercise session”.

This was not a large study, so the results should be interpreted with caution. Nevertheless, this is in line with my own experience with this training sequence, and also that of some clients.

Other research found that 'running economy' is also impaired after a weights session, another reason why the weights-cardio sequence is less efficient."

"Forty or so minutes of cardio within an adequate nutritional environment is not going to hurt your muscle. In fact, in view of the discussion above, doing cardio after weights could be more damaging to muscle as 'beaten up' muscle strives to deal with the burden of aerobic activity. Your immediate post-weights activity should be dedicated to maximizing the anabolic environment. This is time for building up not breaking down. You achieve this by eating sensibly and adequately and by resting and sleeping -- and by not doing cardio after weights."

[NameIsNick]

When cutting, I do about 20 min HIIT or a fast 1.5 run before weights. Works for me.

[TakeTheLift]

The consensus seems to be that it's better to run after you lift but when should you take in protein? After your workout is completely over or between the lift and run?

This.

[desRow]

I lift before run as well ^_ ^

[Whitesllc]

I like running after, good way to get blood through the muscles after lifting.

[Tommy_Gunns]

I do it after I lift. I'd rather have full energy to do my compounds than for cardio.

[umm10191]

yeah definitely

[gamecockshep]

I am at 228 currently (down from 258). I do 30 minutes of cardio, 45 minutes of weights, 45 minutes of cardio, and then 30 minutes of weights. I am seeing moderate fat loss but the scale isn't making a huge difference right now. I am going to attempt to switch up my routine and go with the weights first and then cardio.

[atwses]

I always run after. Save the energy for the hard stuff and run at your own pace.

[shipes]

Hi guys im posting this here because it has the most replies so theres a good chance i can get some much needed help. First off im 17, 6ft tall, and currently weigh 349lbs. For the past two months ive been excercising religously. Ive been working out(when i say that i mean only lifting weights) for a year until June of this summer. The first of june i started taking my excercise seriously. The whole month of june from M-F id lift for about 90mins, then id run for 20-25mins on the elipticle. I did this for a month, then july started and i seen that id dropped only 1lb. From then on i amped it up, from July 1 till now ive been in the gym Mon thru Sat. I warm up with 15mins of cardio on the elipticle, 300cals burned. Then i do my weight training part, wich takes about 2.5-3hrs. After i get done with lifting i wait about 30 mins, then i do 45more mins of cardio 15on the treadmil, 15 on an excercise bike, and 15 more on the elipticle. The cardio alone burns 900cals. After about 25days of doing this i weighd myself again 349... No weight dropped. Idk what im doing wrong. I usually eat what i want and just keep it under 3000cals. I dont eat sweets or drink soda. Help please?

[OffeNDioS]

Which do you think is better? Running before or after you lift?
I agree that many people tell run after lift. may be this because when you lift you will use more powers and when you remain final set of training days, you will feel very tire, you will remain little power for do workouts, but you maybe run after your workout, you can do comfortably.

[Xtian19]

QUESTION! After lift <Protein Shake> Then run or Lift, Run then <Protein Shake>?

[BullET97]

Wow! 99% say after, I'm going with after.

Thanx for all the input.

[78Octane]

It really depends on what your goals are.

I prefer to do my cardio on my off days from weights. When I lift, I want to leave everything I have in the gym. Not save enough to go for a jog afterwards. Screw that. Just my opinion though. It really depends on what goals you are shooting for though.

Good luck my man.

[MichaelKB]

Definitely best to run as you're lifting! :D

In all seriousness, I've always heard it's best to do cardio after. Like... way after.. as in.... a morning/evening deal.

[Alexlj]

Good to know

[rcw03]

I find it better to lift first then run/cardio, it turns your body into a natural fat burner

[mihmusic]

Can anybody help me with my case I weight 230lbs before 5'9 inches, now I'm 170 lbs but I habve mboobs. Guys how can I loose my mboobs fast? can running helps me reduce them? and I also see some post in the internet that testo booster can help me reduce them but I'm only 19 yrs old do I need to take testo booster? or I rather take wehy protein to build more muscles around my chest? thanks!

[ggfusion]

I think after or at least 8 hours split.

[elJohn]

I've read about 3 hours worth of good material with explanations, sequence, proof and very concrete detail and according to it, it is way better to run after a weight workout. And to run only afer 1pm or so. After you've eaten and what not.
and 6-8Hrs split between the weight and run.

[GhostlyMuscle]

After

[Ripper209]

Whats your goal?

[Ripper209]

When I was cutting i did 10 - 20 High Intensity before lifting and 30 minuntes after

[Ripper209]

If your goal is to build mass I would say after and low intensity

[Ripper209]

lots of push up every night always help