Resistance or cardio first?

lyverbird1

Hope this isn't a silly thread, but having recently compiled a new workout regime, I just need a couple of tips to get things in order. I have an initial 40 minute cardio workout and a resistance training circuit worked out and was wondering should I do these on seperate days or if I'm doing everything on the same day should I start with the cardio or the resistance training? Which would offer the best option for burning calories/toning up? Thanks in advance for any suggestions you can make, I'm very motivated and want to make sure I do things properly and not waste my time since it's taken me WAY too long to get to this point!

lyverbird1

Also, any suggestions on best length of cardio workout would be welcome, is 40 mins enough if done in same session as resistance training or if done on its own, should I increase the time?

SanoVitae

I tend to recommend resistance training first because gaining/re-gaining lean tissue (muscle) is always my main priority when it comes to weight loss. I see calories burnt via as a bonus.

Generally, people lose weight at the beginning with cardio but hit a plateau very quickly. After a very short while, weight loss comes down to good nutrition and hitting the weights hard.

Ultimately, if you're doing both consistently and training hard, you'll get results no matter what order you do them in.

Keep at it,

Paul

SanoVitae

lyverbird1 wrote: »

Also, any suggestions on best length of cardio workout would be welcome, is 40 mins enough if done in same session as resistance training or if done on its own, should I increase the time?

40 minutes is more than enough for your entire workout let alone your cardio workout. It's not a case of the longer the better.

Have a look at Tabata training - it consists of routines which last only 4 minutes yet yield fantastic results.

As you advance, increase the intensity of your workouts by increasing the resistance levels and/or your speed. You'll find that your workout times will actually decrease as you advance.

Blatter

See this link. Big discussion all about it.

Hanley

SanoVitae wrote: »

40 minutes is more than enough for your entire workout let alone your cardio workout. It's not a case of the longer the better.

Have a look at Tabata training - it consists of routines which last only 4 minutes yet yield fantastic results.

40 minutes is enough for EVERYTHING?

And do you mean actual Tabata training, or 20 on/10 off intervals?

SanoVitae

Hanley wrote: »

40 minutes is enough for EVERYTHING?

By everything, I mean both weights and cardio. I'm not including the time it takes you to shower, get changed etc

Seriously, I think 40 minutes is more than enough if you're working hard throughout. Sure, lots of people in gyms perform 90 minutes of largely steady-state cardio. I prefer intense weight training sessions coupled with interval-style cardio (usually 10 minutes).

Hanley wrote: »

And do you mean actual Tabata training, or 20 on/10 off intervals?

What is the difference? I'm taking Tabata training to mean the Tabata Protocol devised by Dr. Izumi Tabata. It originally consisted of six to seven 20-second full-speed sprints interspersed with rest periods of 10 seconds

http://www.thebodygenesis.com/tabata-training-the-ultimate-guide/

d'Oracle

Here we go again....

Will Heffernan

d'Oracle wrote: »

Here we go again....

The question was answered in that thread that was linked in this one.

The difference between the ALL of the suggested protocols listed in the OP's post are almost indistinguishable.

People posting here just don't train at an intensity at which it would make any difference whatsoever. That being the case do what you enjoy most because that is what you are going to do most often.

Hanley

SanoVitae wrote: »

By everything, I mean both weights and cardio. I'm not including the time it takes you to shower, get changed etc

Seriously, I think 40 minutes is more than enough if you're working hard throughout. Sure, lots of people in gyms perform 90 minutes of largely steady-state cardio. I prefer intense weight training sessions coupled with interval-style cardio (usually 10 minutes).

By "intense" I assume you mean fast paced, and not as a function of 1rm? Which is how I'd normally refer to intensity in lifting.

What is the difference? I'm taking Tabata training to mean the Tabata Protocol devised by Dr. Izumi Tabata. It originally consisted of six to seven 20-second full-speed sprints interspersed with rest periods of 10 seconds

http://www.thebodygenesis.com/tabata-training-the-ultimate-guide/

The difference is like going for a recreational cycle and riding the tour de france.

In that linked thread, Barry went on a rant about how most people's "Tabata training" isn't actually what they did in the study at all, so I went to see for myself what the story was.

What you're calling Tabata is so far removed from what went on in the original study that I wouldn't even know where to start on an explanation. There's a good lyle mcdonald article that puts it much more eloquently than I could have anyway.

d'Oracle

Will Heffernan wrote: »

The question was answered in that thread that was linked in this one.

And in a good few threads beforehand.

lyverbird1

Thanks everyone so far for your replies - it's giving me a better idea of where I need to go with this. I don't want to leap in too hard either, burn out within the first week and then dread having to exercise the next time. Good tips and I'm getting better at deciphering this gym lingo!

deadlybuzzman

what are your goals?
I did tabata before to get in peak condition for a grappling competition and it was the biz- note-tabata means a flat out set that once youve have it finished you would rather pull out your toenails than do it all over agains :eek:

if you want to get a bit bigger then thats a different thing altogether

Mr. Loverman

Honestly I would do it whichever way you prefer.

The most difficult part of working out is continuing to do it for more than a few months (i.e. after the fun newness has worn off) so for me I think you should make your workouts as enjoyable as possible so you're more likely to stick with it.

Mellor

Hanley wrote: »

There's a good lyle mcdonald article that puts it much more eloquently than I could have anyway.

link anyone?

d'Oracle

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/effects-of-moderate-intensity-endurance-and-high-intensity-intermittent-training-on-anaerobic-capacity-and-vo2-max.html