Cardio...once and for all.

[Nooklear]

Ok everyone. I don't know about you guys, but I'm tired of being so confused as to when to do my cardio. Before workouts? After? I don't have the time to split it up into a morning / afternoon thing, so I have all my exercising at the same time.

I have looked at all different sources, and its always the same. Some people say workout first, run second, some say run first, workout second.

Can anyone, once and for all, explain when the best time to do cardio is if you are stuck with one workout time a day? (Before or after a workout? Should I run, wait an hour, then workout? etc...)

And why is it the best time? (What goes on in the body to make it the best time?)

[jproudj]

If you have to stick it all in one (and I don't see how you can't simply get up half an hour earlier and go for a run - well actually I do it sucks ) Do cardio AFTER. Everybody says this I don't know where you are getting your info from.

[jproudj]

Look at this thread for more info

cardio then weights?

[NiteHawk]

Do cardio after your lifting. Doing cardio first and you will deplete your energy(glucose) before you start lifting weights and that will hinder your workout.

[Nooklear]

I heard that cardio after working out will cause you to burn up muscle mass instead of energy. Guess thats not true?

[LankyFreak23]

Peope will grow restless for you asking this question, but the truth is that it despite all the times it's been brought up, the answer still isn't very clear.

My suggestion? Do cardio after, but not immediately after. Lift, eat, rest for at least 4 hours and then do cardio. Some will say you need 8 hours rest, but you have to adjust to your life, and these suggestions rarely take people's schedules into account.

If you lift after work (5:30-6:30) do your cardio before bed (9:30-10:15) or before you go to work (6-6:45). Doing both heavy cardio and lifting requires a good amount of dedication and time management. Believe it or not, time management is usually the place where people falter, and it's not mentioned enough. You have to make a sacrifice in your life more than likely if you want to do both. So if you want it, get up and do it.