At some stage, everyone who wants to know how to lose weight finds themselves in a situation in the gym where they are getting conflicting advice from everyone they talk to. One of those situations involves this question - should you do cardio before or after weights?
Today you will discover the facts behind the answer to this question.
If you were to ask most experienced gym users for their opinion on this matter, you would probably be overwhelmed with the conflicting information in many people's views on the subject. You would also be shocked that despite the fact someone may look good, it appears they may merely be training instinctively and without any real knowledge of why they are doing things a certain way. Most people believe that doing cardio after weighs is superior as it allows you to hit the weights while your energy is peaking.
Pre workout aerobic activity certainly sounds better when you consider hitting the gym with your legs already zapped from cardio, of course, but the latest scientific research on the subject puts a whole different spin on this topic.
You see, in order to get to the bottom of this popular gym myth we have no choice but to look at things on a scientific level. The body makes several noteworthy changes during your time on the gym floor, some of which are hugely important in answering this question. The first of which is m-TOR release.
This is the enzyme responsible for signalling the start of the muscle building process after a heavy weights session. It is not uncommon to see this name on the front of various protein supplements, which all claim to cause an increase in m-TOR release to help you build more lean muscle after a hard workout. The body increases m-TOR for up to six hours after a resistance workout, making it easier for you to build lean muscle temporarily.
During aerobic activity, such as a bike or treadmill, the body adapts by releasing an enzyme called AMPK.
Here is the real kicker - AMPK release blunts m-TOR release significantly!
So by jumping on a treadmill after your weights workout and doing half an hour of cardio exercise, you are actually causing your body to release a spike of AMPK and shut down much of the increased m-TOR you caused by working hard on the iron in the first place.
Further studies have since gone on to reveal that pre workout cardiovascular activity does not zap your muscles of strength either. It impacts only the muscles which are involved during the cardio itself, so for example a bike would impact your legs. To get full benefit from increased m-TOR, common sense would decree that you should be avoiding post workout cardio and to avoid ruining your ability with weights on leg days simply drop cardio from your routine here.
If you are searching for the best explanations on how to lose weight then it makes sense to go with the most logical scientific answers rather than buying into the wealth of gym myths which are out there. Should you do cardio before or after weights? The latest science is massively in favor of doing it before.
Today you will discover the facts behind the answer to this question.
The video today will explain whether you should do cardio before or after weights in the gym.
If you were to ask most experienced gym users for their opinion on this matter, you would probably be overwhelmed with the conflicting information in many people's views on the subject. You would also be shocked that despite the fact someone may look good, it appears they may merely be training instinctively and without any real knowledge of why they are doing things a certain way. Most people believe that doing cardio after weighs is superior as it allows you to hit the weights while your energy is peaking.
Pre workout aerobic activity certainly sounds better when you consider hitting the gym with your legs already zapped from cardio, of course, but the latest scientific research on the subject puts a whole different spin on this topic.
You see, in order to get to the bottom of this popular gym myth we have no choice but to look at things on a scientific level. The body makes several noteworthy changes during your time on the gym floor, some of which are hugely important in answering this question. The first of which is m-TOR release.
This is the enzyme responsible for signalling the start of the muscle building process after a heavy weights session. It is not uncommon to see this name on the front of various protein supplements, which all claim to cause an increase in m-TOR release to help you build more lean muscle after a hard workout. The body increases m-TOR for up to six hours after a resistance workout, making it easier for you to build lean muscle temporarily.
During aerobic activity, such as a bike or treadmill, the body adapts by releasing an enzyme called AMPK.
Here is the real kicker - AMPK release blunts m-TOR release significantly!
So by jumping on a treadmill after your weights workout and doing half an hour of cardio exercise, you are actually causing your body to release a spike of AMPK and shut down much of the increased m-TOR you caused by working hard on the iron in the first place.
Further studies have since gone on to reveal that pre workout cardiovascular activity does not zap your muscles of strength either. It impacts only the muscles which are involved during the cardio itself, so for example a bike would impact your legs. To get full benefit from increased m-TOR, common sense would decree that you should be avoiding post workout cardio and to avoid ruining your ability with weights on leg days simply drop cardio from your routine here.
If you are searching for the best explanations on how to lose weight then it makes sense to go with the most logical scientific answers rather than buying into the wealth of gym myths which are out there. Should you do cardio before or after weights? The latest science is massively in favor of doing it before.
About the Author:
Author blog: Russ Howe PTI is a nationally sought-after south shields personal trainer featured on fitness tv. Read his thorough walkthrough on the effects of doing cardio before or after weights for a thorough walkthrough on this topic.
