Hey there fellas, well im new to this board and was wondering what u guys thought about doing cardio before weight training? I work out about 5 days a week, which i run about a mile before i start lifting weights. The reason for me doing this is because i am about 15-20 lbs overwieght. The goal im trying to acheive is to get leaner with somewhat definition. Im 5'9, 29 yrs old at 175 lbs

Here is my weekly routine:
M-1 mile run / chest
T-1 mile run/ arms
W-1 mile run/ shoulders
Th-1 mile run/ back/tricept
F- 1 mile/ legs

Thanks in advance for your advice

If you choose to do both cardio and weights in the same session than I'd choose to perform cardio after your weight training session.

I'd also keep them both to 30 min each.

hey LV, thanks for the reply....to tell you the truth i use to run after i lifted weights but recently i changed my routine cause i read somewhere that running after could slow down the muscle growth. Is there any truth to this?

LV and I will both answer the same here, but I got here first

basically, if you run first, you use up a lot of glycogen in the muscles, and that's what the body needs for weight training...so your weight routine suffers.

ideally, after weights, you wanna knock back roughly 20g of protein and 40g of simple carbs, no fat, no fiber. something to refuel muscles and glycogen stores.

The reason running after weights might hinder progress is it gives you more time to turn catabolic, which is a muscle wasting state. the post workout shake above will keep you anabolic...muscle building...instead.

I really prefer separate days for weights and cardio. When they are the same day, i advise something like morning cardio, evening weights (or vice versa).

Don't try to run the fat off. Doesn't really work that way. Lose the fat through a clean diet. Build muscle with a good routine and a clean diet, since muscle burns calories.

Hmmmm so maybe i should just do 3 days a week of weight lifting and then 2 days of cardio? I have about an hour to work out and it seems like lifting weights only take about 30 mins, im not sure if im doing this the right way...i really need help in my workout routine....i do about 3 different excercise for each muscle group.

Well, I disagree with modern algabraic formulas to weight training.

In my mind, there is no reason you couldn't incoporate the two.

Old time strongmen 100 years ago would train full body such as cleans and presses. They would do their program EVERY DAY and do it for less time than you might think.

They would typically do light weight and over time build to higher weight but always do high rep full body movements.

If done in a proper program custom to your goals, it isn't rocket science at all.

hey thanks for the responses guys...i will go and look at waht im doing and see what works best...for now ill try to stick out my program for the remaing month and see if i notice any results....after that ill look to change....I WANT TO GET RIPPED!!!!


Thanks guys!