- Jun 22, 2002
- 610
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Most efficient in what way? Can you elaborate?
Here's how I see it. To get technical, I wouldn't have them do aerobic training at all; I'd have them do anaerobic cardio before weightlifting. In any case, my reasoning was what cguy was saying. If one's primary goal is weightloss and building strength is secondary, then I would suggest he/she expend more energy working specifically towards his/her ultimate goal. I think we can agree that if I do one form of exercise first, I'm not going to be able to work as hard on the second portion due to fatigue induced by the first session. So, if someone's goal is weight loss and they do cardio second, they're not able to work as hard during their cardio portion. In this way, they're not working "efficiently" towards their personal goal.
Ill come back in a bit and edit this when I have time. Ill explain how its more efficient to do resistance training first then aerobics second.
What do you mean by anaerobic cardio?
Cool, looking forward to your response to see if it makes sense with what I'm learning in my PT courses.
By anaerobic cardio, I meant HIIT and the like.
The body has 3 ways in which it can produce energy (ATP).
Creatine Phosphate, Anaerobic Glycolysis, and Aerobic Respiration.
CP is used for very short activities, Glycolysis is used for slightly longer activities and the Aerobic pathway is used for much longer exercises. The major sources of energy for the first 2 are creatine phosphate and glucose (respectively). Obviously the aerobic pathway uses oxygen and it also creates a massive amount of energy compared to the other two. It uses a lot more sources of energy as well. It makes more sense to use the sources of energy that require the smallest amount of energy needs first before moving onto to something that requires more. Short bursts of energy also have a more rapid recovery period, but aerobic exercises take much longer before the body can recover. It just makes more sense to perform activities that require the smallest amount of energy first/recover quicker and do the more tasking activities last.
Yeah, I know about the energy systems already, and I agree with you if you're doing aerobic cardio to do it last. To me, however, aerobic cardio is a waste of time if weight loss and sports performance is your goal. So if you're doing anaerobic cardio in addition to resistance training, the order IMO would depend on the individual's goals.
Side note: Doesn't it feel great when you have a cheat meal, then wake up the next day ripped and not bloated? One meal won't negate all your hard work, obviously, but I went to the pub yesterday and had potato skins, bacon burger, and fries. Woke up this morning like, "
