Should you do cardio or weights first at the gym? Ask the experts

fitness

by Adriana Diaz

You are in the gym and ready for a perfect workout. Do you start with cardio or strength training?

A group of fitness experts looked at the best way to create an exercise routine to help you reach your fitness goals.

“How you structure your training is very important.” claudette sariyaa New York-based fitness coach and personal trainer told the Post.

“That structure affects the overall outcome and whether it aligns with your goals.”

Adults are recommended to be physically active for about 150 minutes of moderate physical activity, combined with two strength-strengthening sessions per week. According to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Some people may try to cram both cardio and strength training into the same day in order to fit everything into their busy lives.

Now, which one comes first?

Sariya says, “Both are useless.” Many gym-goers don't take it seriously, saying, “Don't stretch until you stretch properly,'' which can be dangerous.

“You should always start with a light warm-up to get blood and oxygen flowing to your muscles,” she warned.

Saliya advised warming up with movements that mimic the movements you'll do during the majority of your workout, and using compound movements (moves that use multiple muscle groups) to give you a full-body workout.

Finally, it's ready for prime time. Most fitness experts agree that you should start with weight training and finish with cardio.

“The primary fuel source for weightlifting is a sugar called glycogen stored in your muscles,” says Danny King, CPT, a trainer at Lifetime, a health club chain in the U.S. and Canada. told GoodRX Health.

“That way, you will be able to perform at your best.” [weight lifting] When there is the most fuel available. When you first do aerobic exercise, some of your glycogen is depleted and you have less energy. And that will make weightlifting more difficult. ”

Sariya agreed, explaining: “If you do intense cardio before weight training, your muscles will pre-fatigue and you won't be able to lift as heavy or do as many repetitions as if you started weight training.”

However, keep in mind that the order of your workouts will depend on your fitness goals.

“What you do first will be prioritized, both in terms of total body energy and available time,” King said.

If you're training to build muscle, start with weight training. If you're training for a half marathon, run straight for cardio.

But if you're struggling to stay healthy in general; L WormsBarry's New York City-based instructor advises doing whatever helps you “feel the most motivated.”

“Any movement is beneficial to your mind and body…The more you enjoy any workout, the more you will get out of it and the more likely you are to actually give your 100% to it.” ” she said.

“The worst thing is that you're training and you're always disappointed and you hate it and you're half-hearted.”