Is Strength or Cardio Better First?

Beginning your weight loss journey consists of two key things: diet and exercise. With the help of the Garcia Weight Loss team, constructing your personalized diet plan is easy. Drafting a solid exercise routine, on the other hand, takes commitment to understanding your body and your specific goals. One question we hear a lot is whether strength training or cardiovascular activity is better to do first.

Is Strength or Cardio Better First?

There is no simple answer to this question. In truth, it depends on the individual. Even experts are split on which practice is best, and no credible, concrete research has proved one right or wrong. Your individual fitness goals will determine which exercise you should participate in first, and here’s why.

You have the most amount of energy at the start of your workout. So, if your primary goal is to burn body fat or increase your cardiovascular endurance, then you should perform cardio first. In the same token, if your primary goal is to strengthen or tone the muscles, then you should complete strength training first. Basically, you want to perform the exercise that is most in line with your goals at the beginning of your workout when you are not yet fatigued.

However, if your fitness goals consist of overall improvements to both cardiovascular and muscular health, then you should start with the type of exercise you least enjoy and end with the one you most enjoy.

By starting with the type of workout you least enjoy, you are committing your energies to the areas of the body that need the most attention. For example, if you wait until the end of your workout to do cardio, knowing you hate cardio, you’re not going to have the energy to power through and give the workout your best efforts. Saving your favorite exercises for the end of your workout will result in better fitness improvements overall.

No matter which exercise you decide to do first, consistency is key. Listen to your body to determine what is working and what is not. Analyze your goals regularly and plan your workouts specifically to reach those goals. With dedication and effort, you can have a slimmer belly without sacrificing muscle tone.

Garcia Weight Loss has the personalized plans you need to engage in a healthier lifestyle. Get started today with your free consultation!