Cardio both before and after lifting?

[dalkon]

Anyone ever done this before? Like doing a 15-20min cardio before AND 15-20min after lifting weights. Thoughts?
I can't seem to find any articles on this.

[euro7muscle]

Never before. Either all post-workout or as a separate session, like in the morning, 6 hours away from weights. You want to fully utilize all your energy for the weight training.

[grouchyjarhead]

I've never done both before and after, can't see it being a good idea though personally.

For the most part, keep it after. If you want a serious focus on muscle endurance, you can do it before but you also need to pick exercises that are not form intense for the simple fact you will be performing them pre-fatigued.

[TJP33]

I do on occasion. Most often when I get to the gym late and I hit the 5pm rush- if my first lift looks like their will be a wait I'll go get some of the cardio out of the way.
I only do this for LISS sessions (120 BPM) and as far as cardio goes, I don't count anything less than 20 min of cardio so this only works for cardio sessions 40 min or longer.

From my experience of doing both (all post or doing an AM session away from cardio vs your idea of splitting pre/post), splitting into two pre/post doesn't seem optimal.. But unless Im in contest prep, Im not always doing whats optimal.

[FT1973]

Never before. Either all post-workout or as a separate session, like in the morning, 6 hours away from weights. You want to fully utilize all your energy for the weight training.

15-20 mins of cardio is a warm up (assuming you are not doing HIIT type training). It isn't going to affect your workout. If you were talking 30+ min sessions or doing HIIT, yeah that is a poor idea.

[yoojungl]

I only do cardio for 2 minutes on the stair master to warm up before my lifts and foam roller afterwards. I save my 20 min. HIIT session for after. Tried cardio before my lifts, and just made me feel weaker

[PendlayRow8500]

Depends on what your goals are, what your working that day (obviously it'd be harder to work legs after cardio then chest or upper body), and the intensity of the cardio.

[dalkon]

Thanks for the replies guys, I've been doing it post-workout with pretty good results, was gonna try it both before and after, but I'll probably do as some of you recommended and do it on a separate session (probably AM cardio, PM weights.) Repped as many of you as I could.

[BJP2k14]

I used to do both and man I was exhausted when I got home.
Im usually on a stepper or bike(the gym I go to doesn't have one so I row) but I haven't done it in a while.

[tastan]

Thanks for the replies guys, I've been doing it post-workout with pretty good results, was gonna try it both before and after, but I'll probably do as some of you recommended and do it on a separate session (probably AM cardio, PM weights.) Repped as many of you as I could.

I never recommend doing cardio first, because it affects the weight training session. However doing weights first does not affect a cardio session, unless you did legs. So I always recommend cardio after weight, in the am with weights in the PM, or on separate days.

[SteelBrotherhoD]

If its light enough, it shouldnt hinder your performance. 15-20 mins at a normal peace is not all that much if you are used to it. Obviously, if this is not the case or you want to be absolutely sure you are 100% for your lifting, call it after 5 mins warm-up, if that.

[streetdanceman]

I personally use it as a warm up, but I keep it as light as possible. It seems to have improved my overall fitness levels, although I think it does make it a bit harder to use all your energy just for muscles. The upside is that it definitely helps injury prevention, for me anyway. I've been prone to shoulder problems, but running seems to get the juices flowing to those areas much better than stretching.

[mtownballer20]

I always do cardio post weight training, or later in the day if I go early AM weight training.