Cardio before or after?

DallasRG · 11-06-2007, 02:31 PM

So the question is just what the topic is. Should I do cardio before or after weights? I've read so many conflicting theories on this. If I do it before I run the risk of exhausting my body and not being able to lift as much. If I do it after I run the risk of not getting the proper gains? From what I've read the best would be weight training, then get some nutrients in me, and then run. Just kind of confused here, need some advice

CupraZ · 11-06-2007, 02:33 PM

Imo cardio on non training days or some hours after weight training. If you dont have the time for that at least take a protein shake and some gatorate before you start with the cardio after your weight training workout.

Hardcore Natural · 11-06-2007, 02:39 PM

Either on days off from training....but if you have to...then afterwards..PERIOD!

DallasRG · 11-06-2007, 02:49 PM

So doing cardio on my off days won't effect my recovery period? Right now this is my training split.

Monday - Chest
Tuesday - Back
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - Shoulders
Friday - Legs
Saturday - Arms
Sunday - Rest

Just trying to figure out how imma throw my cardio back in. I might have to go to 4 day splits again. What do ya think is best?

industree · 11-06-2007, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd69

Either on days off from training....but if you have to...then afterwards..PERIOD!

x2

Hardcore Natural · 11-06-2007, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DallasRG

So doing cardio on my off days won't effect my recovery period? Right now this is my training split.

Monday - Chest
Tuesday - Back
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - Shoulders
Friday - Legs
Saturday - Arms
Sunday - Rest

Just trying to figure out how imma throw my cardio back in. I might have to go to 4 day splits again. What do ya think is best?

Well, I guess it depends on how many cardio sessions per week you want to do. If it is just 2 sessions, then you could just do them on your off days to training. That would be the best option if 2 sessions per week is all you're after. And no, it would not affect your recovery from weights.

But, if you want to do more than 2 sessions per week, then you're gonna have to schedule some cardio on days you do lifting as well. So, what you could do is this...

If you normally lift weights in the evening, then do your cardio session in the morning...or vice versa.

If worse comes to worse and you can't do that, then do your cardio session immediately after your weight training. If so, then make sure not to schedule a cardio session on leg day.

CupraZ · 11-06-2007, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DallasRG

So doing cardio on my off days won't effect my recovery period? Right now this is my training split.

Monday - Chest
Tuesday - Back
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - Shoulders
Friday - Legs
Saturday - Arms
Sunday - Rest

Just trying to figure out how imma throw my cardio back in. I might have to go to 4 day splits again. What do ya think is best?

Whats your main goal..? losing fat or gaining muscle..?

DallasRG · 11-06-2007, 03:02 PM

I'm just gaining lean muscle. But my problem area with fat is on the side obliques. You can kind of see what I mean in this pic:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/photo/...ppuser=3510703

My arm is in the way but you can tell that more fat is stored there. I really just wanna get that toned up and my friend who does competitions told me he just had a strict diet and didn't do any cardio. So I went that route and cut my cardio out, put on some nice size but I still have the damn oblique problem. Only thing I know to do is to throw the cardio back in the regime because my diet is fine. But I had heard or read somewhere that it wasn't good to do the cardio on off days because those should be strictly for rest. But if it's okay then imma put the cardio in on my off days.

rhollan · 11-06-2007, 03:03 PM

After. I do mine after (though I'm not in the serious lifting stage yet), then drink a high-quality protein shake, and dinner an hour later.

bassing68 · 11-06-2007, 03:04 PM

Just do a search and read the 6 thousnd 463 and 2/3 other posts on this.

Either do them on off days or several hours after lifting.

industree · 11-06-2007, 03:09 PM

The Cardio Compilation:
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hreadid=292244

CupraZ · 11-06-2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DallasRG

I'm just gaining lean muscle. But my problem area with fat is on the side obliques. You can kind of see what I mean in this pic:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/photo/...ppuser=3510703

My arm is in the way but you can tell that more fat is stored there. I really just wanna get that toned up and my friend who does competitions told me he just had a strict diet and didn't do any cardio. So I went that route and cut my cardio out, put on some nice size but I still have the damn oblique problem. Only thing I know to do is to throw the cardio back in the regime because my diet is fine. But I had heard or read somewhere that it wasn't good to do the cardio on off days because those should be strictly for rest. But if it's okay then imma put the cardio in on my off days.

When gaining muscle you have to get a caloric surplus with that comes some BF as well. Dont get too worried about it. Bulk up to 12-15% but never go over. Than focus on cutting some BF while trying to maintain as much muscle mass as possible. It's not fair but thats how it works.
Imo limit your cardio and keep eating clean. Monitor your body and make adjustments when your adding too much BF.

Kickboxing4Life · 11-06-2007, 03:39 PM

You're assuming that you have to do both on the same day, which you don't. However, the simple answer is, if you have to do cardio and weights on the same day then you should always do the weights first then do you your cardio workout. To do them in the other order would exhaust your muscles and will limit the amount of muscle fibers you could potentially stimulate! Limit that and you limit your potential growth. This of course assumes that you're participating in a cardio routine that exhausts your muscles (e.g. running on the treadmill won't necessarily exhaust your muscles but interval training on an inclined treadmill might). In fact a light warmup before a workout could encourage blood flow to the muscles aiding in the potential work they can do!

FoxyT · 11-06-2007, 03:55 PM

I find that doing my Max OT Cardio after my work outs, works best for me. I find if I do My cardio before my work out, I have less energy to push that last rep out....but every one will have a different story whether to do it before or after.

I would say try both and see what works the best for you and seeing the results you want.

Bwuce_Wee · 11-06-2007, 04:04 PM

Oops..sorry OP. What was yur question again? i got distracted by FoxyGoddess's pic...can i watch you spank da weights? ...-_o

rhollan · 11-06-2007, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoxyGoddess

I find that doing my Max OT Cardio after my work outs, works best for me. I find if I do My cardio before my work out, I have less energy to push that last rep out....but every one will have a different story whether to do it before or after.

I would say try both and see what works the best for you and seeing the results you want.

I tend to get winded (more than tired) working out if I don't warm up properly, so I do 5-15 minutes on the bike or mill first, then work out, then hit the bike or mill for 45 minutes. Never get winded doing cardio, even after a workout.

DallasRG · 11-06-2007, 04:24 PM

Well the main thing was that I had read or heard somewhere that cardio on off days would mess with my recovery. Since this is not the case then I am fine, I'll run on my off days

Thanks for the replies. And sorry to the people that wasted 10 seconds of their lifes reading this. I didn't mean to make your day go bad. I research most of my information but I needed a quick response. I'll happily refund your 10 seconds if you want. :P Lata!