Is it beneficial to do cardio before every workout session or should this type of exercise be limited to certain days only?

Hi all,

From my experience, I would suggest doing cardio on a separate day than strength training. This way, you can give your body the time it needs to recover from each workout and avoid over-exerting yourself. I usually do cardio on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and strength training on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

I agree that doing a little bit of cardio before a strength training session can be helpful in getting warmed up, but I would be cautious about doing too much. In my opinion, the focus of a workout should be on one thing at a time. If you're going to start with cardio, then do cardio. If you're going to do strength training, then do that. Mixing the two could potentially lead to a less effective workout for both.

Of course, everyone is different and there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It all comes down to your personal goals and what works for your body. If you're not sure, I would recommend talking to a personal trainer or fitness coach who can help you design a workout plan that's right for you.

Hope this helps!

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Hello everyone!

In my experience, it really depends on your fitness goals and the type of workout you're planning on doing. If you're going for a heavy lifting session, you may want to skip the cardio beforehand altogether. This is because cardio can deplete your energy levels and leave you feeling drained, which could then impact your ability to lift weights at your full potential.

On the other hand, if you're planning on doing a lighter weight workout or more of a circuit training routine, doing some cardio as a warm-up may actually benefit you. Just be mindful not to do anything too strenuous or high-impact, as you don't want to risk an injury.

Personally, I like to mix things up a bit and alternate between cardio and strength training days. So, for example, my routine might consist of three days of strength training followed by a day of cardio, and then I'll repeat the cycle. This works well for me because I'm able to focus on building muscle while also maintaining my cardiovascular health.

Ultimately, the best approach is the one that feels right for you and is aligned with your goals. Be open to trying different things and don't hesitate to consult with a personal trainer or fitness professional if you need some guidance. It's important to remember that everyone's body responds differently to different types of exercise, so there's no one-size-fits-all solution.

Hello everyone,

Personally, I've found that doing cardio before strength training has been the best approach for me. I usually do about 15-20 minutes of cardio before moving on to weights. This helps me get my heart rate up and break a sweat before doing strength training exercises.

I also agree that it's important to listen to your body and not overdo it with cardio. I usually stick to low-impact forms of cardio, such as cycling or the elliptical, and try not to push myself too hard. This way, I can still have an effective workout without feeling too exhausted or compromising muscle growth.

As for which days to focus on cardio and which days to focus on strength training, I think it's important to have a balance between the two. I usually do cardio on days when I'm not doing strength training, so my schedule typically looks like cardio on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and strength training on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. This gives me enough time to recover between each workout and helps me achieve my overall fitness goals.

At the end of the day, it's all about finding what works best for your body and your fitness journey. Experiment with different approaches and listen to your body to determine what feels best for you.

Hi there,

In my personal experience, I have found that doing a little bit of cardio before every workout session has been really beneficial for me. I usually do about 10 minutes of light jogging or cycling to warm up and get my heart rate up. I feel like it helps me get in the right mindset for my workout and also helps me avoid injury.

However, I do think that doing too much cardio can be counterproductive to building muscle. So on days when I focus on strength training, I try to limit my cardio to just a brief warm-up. On days when I do more cardio-focused workouts, like running or high-intensity interval training (HIIT), I don't do any strength training.

Ultimately, I think finding the right balance for you depends on your personal goals and preferences. If you primarily want to build muscle, then focusing on strength training with just a brief cardio warm-up might be the way to go. But if you also want to improve your cardiovascular health, then doing some cardio on the days when you're not focusing on strength training could be a good idea.

Hope that helps!

Hello everyone,

From my personal experience, I've learned that doing cardio before strength training can be beneficial, but it should be incorporated in the right way. I've found that starting with a light cardio session for 10-15 minutes can significantly improve my workout performance, as it increases my heart rate and gets the blood flowing to my muscles.

However, I've also found that doing too much cardio beforehand can negatively impact my workout. For instance, if I decide to do a long and intense cardio session before lifting weights, I tend to feel really fatigued and struggle to complete my workout as planned. This is because my body has already depleted some of its energy stores during the cardio session, leaving me with less energy to complete my strength training routine.

Therefore, I usually limit my cardio sessions to light to moderate intensity, depending on the type of warm-up I need for my strength training. Additionally, incorporating cardio on separate days from my strength training has been the best approach for me, where I do 2-3 days of strength training and 2-3 days of cardio, alternating them throughout the week.

Of course, everyone's bodies are unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. It’s important to listen to your body and adjust your workout regimen accordingly, based on your individual fitness goals and requirements.

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