Is it OK to do strength training before cardio?
Emma Newman
Updated on March 12, 2026
Simply so, can you do cardio and strength training on the same day?
A new study says lifting weights and doing cardio on the same day isn't a good idea. However, the paper says that in order to have an effective workout, gym-goers should instead wait at least 24 hours after strength training before doing cardio. "There are great benefits to it, but there can be some hidden dangers too.
Furthermore, is it OK to do cardio after weight training? If you're looking to build strength, do cardio after weight training. Doing cardio after weight training burned more fat during the first 15 minutes of that cardio workout versus starting with cardio and then lifting, according to a study published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.
Hereof, how much cardio should you do before a workout?
The case for doing cardio first If you lift weights for 30 minutes versus doing any other cardio activity for the same amount of time, cardio will burn more calories. With that in mind, you may want to start your workouts with cardio at a steady intensity to get into the heart rate zone you need for burning fat.
How much cardio should I do after strength training?
According to NASM, we need at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardiorespiratory exercise, 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity, or a combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity exercise per week.
Related Question Answers
Is it OK to mix cardio and strength training?
Combining cardio and strength training can also complement each other, even when done on the same day. That is, studies show that strength training does not negate the gains of endurance training when done on the same day. Likewise, cardio will not negate the growth of muscles when done on the same day.Does cardio kill gains?
The higher impact the cardio, the more muscle loss that's likely to occur. But when done correctly, aerobic training won't be responsible for destroying your gains in the weight room. In fact, it might be just what you need to move beyond progress plateaus.Can you lose belly fat by just lifting weights?
Build more muscle and you'll keep your body burning fat all day long. This suggests that strength training is better at helping people lose belly fat compared with cardio because while aerobic exercise burns both fat and muscle, weight lifting burns almost exclusively fat.Can I do HIIT and weights on the same day?
As you can see there are many cases where doing HIIT and Weights on the same day is absolutely fine. It's how you split them up to manage the work load for the best results that matters. If you can't split your time and your focus is fat loss then make your workouts more HIIT based.Is doing cardio and weights in the same day bad?
The question of whether or not to perform weight training and cardio on the same day has been a long debated issue. However, the results of the studies actually showed that performing weight training and cardio on the same day had no negative effects on endurance training, resistance training, or muscle growth.Should I lift or do cardio first?
The majority of fitness experts will advise you to do the cardio after the weight training, because if you do cardio first, it uses up much of the energy source for your anaerobic work (strength training) and fatigues the muscles before their most strenuous activity.How many times a week should you do cardio and strength training?
For general fitness, a good balance of cardio and strength training might include three to four days a week focusing on cardiovascular activity (20 to 40 minutes each session), and two days focusing on strength training (including exercises for all muscle groups).Should you alternate cardio and weight training days?
Cardio exercise should be done at least three days a week. You can safely do some type of cardio every day of the week, but if you are also weight training then you are better off alternating days instead of trying to do cardio and weight training on the same day.Does cardio after lifting prevent muscle growth?
Performing “cardio” too frequently, too intensely, or for too long can certainly prevent you from gaining muscle from your strength training workouts. You also need rest and recovery time between workouts to allow your body to rebuild and increase your muscle mass.Does cardio burn muscle or fat first?
If you're a male looking to gain muscle mass, you'd be better off starting your workout with weight lifting, then finishing up with some cardio to burn off any fat your body has accumulated. That's leaves your body primed to burn fat once you're done lifting weights.Is cardio or weights better for fat loss?
A cardio workout burns more calories than a weight-training workout. However, your metabolism may stay elevated for longer after weights than cardio, and weight lifting is better for building muscle. Thus, the ideal exercise program for improving body composition and health includes cardio and weights.Do bodybuilders do cardio?
Most bodybuilders usually find that 30-40 minutes of cardio, four to five days a week, is about the limit for burning calories and increasing definition, while maintaining size. Figure fitness athletes usually do three days a week but more high intensity interval training.How long should I do cardio to burn fat?
Fat burning Sometimes weight loss, rather than heart health, is the main goal of cardiovascular exercise. If that is your goal, be sure to exercise for at least 15 minutes. That is the average time it takes for the body to use up your sugar reserves and start burning fat.What do I eat after a workout?
Here are a few examples of quick and easy meals to eat after your workout:- Grilled chicken with roasted vegetables.
- Egg omelet with avocado spread on toast.
- Salmon with sweet potato.
- Tuna salad sandwich on whole grain bread.
- Tuna and crackers.
- Oatmeal, whey protein, banana and almonds.
- Cottage cheese and fruits.
Should you do cardio everyday?
If you're looking to lose weight, you shouldn't be doing cardio everyday. For those looking to lose weight, especially substantial weight, you should engage in cardio exercises roughly five days a week. This gives you at least two days to rest and recover. It also helps you avoid plateauing.How much cardio is too much?
While a mix of cardio and strength training is key for your health, doing too much cardio can actually eat away at your muscles, which can actually make you weaker over time. Livestrong.com explains that when you're performing cardio, you're burning fat as well as a small amount of muscle.Does cardio after weights burn fat?
Cardio before a workout is great because it gives you the opportunity to burn more calories over the course of the training session by elevating your heart rate initially. Then after all the glycogen is depleted, doing cardio will result in a much higher percentage of fat being burned.How do you combine cardio and weight training?
Adding Weightlifting to Cardio- Warm it up. Doing cardio first will give you more energy for your weightlifting session, so start with a 10-15 minute warmup on a treadmill, bike or elliptical before you move into strength-training.
- Add it in. Add a few minutes of cardio between weight-bearing exercises.
- Finish strong.