If I'm only going to get on the treadmill once during my workout, is it better to do it before my weights/abs/etc or after I do those things?

I was told that doing it after the 'other' stuff is better for weightloss, and before is better for toning.

Anyone know for sure?

Good question. I usually do the treadmill first, but for no particular reason. I am interested to see what is posted as it may change my routine. Thanks for the question!

I looked this up for you - let me know if it helps...

http://fitstep.com/Library/Questions/Questions/Fatloss/do-weights-or-cardio-first.htm

I always start with cardio for no other reason that if I did heavy weights first I'd pike and only do 5 minutes or something.

Q. Should I do cardio or weights first in order to lose fat?

I would recommend doing your weight training first when training for fat loss.

It is better to do your weight training first for several reasons:

1. You will be stronger and will get more out of your weights when they're done first. This means you will boost your metabolism and burn more calories throughout the day.

2. The weight training will get your body into fat-burning mode for your cardio so that when you do your cardio you will be burning more fat right away. Normally, if you start with cardio, it takes 15 - 20 minutes to get to the point where your body is burning primarily bodyfat instead of the food you've eaten during the day. This will make your cardio work much more effective than if it was done separately or first.

This is from the website given in the earlier post.

Interesting... thank you guys! I'm gonna switch it up and start hitting the treadmill AFTER everything else. I don't do it for very long anyways, so it would be best because of that, for sure.

Q. Should I do cardio or weights first in order to lose fat?

I would recommend doing your weight training first when training for fat loss.

It is better to do your weight training first for several reasons:

1. You will be stronger and will get more out of your weights when they're done first. This means you will boost your metabolism and burn more calories throughout the day.

2. The weight training will get your body into fat-burning mode for your cardio so that when you do your cardio you will be burning more fat right away. Normally, if you start with cardio, it takes 15 - 20 minutes to get to the point where your body is burning primarily bodyfat instead of the food you've eaten during the day. This will make your cardio work much more effective than if it was done separately or first.

This is from the website given in the earlier post.

This is what my trainer said too. Do weights first, then cardio if you're going to do them both in the same session.

My trainer told me, start on treadmill about 5 - 10 min to warm up the muscles, then do the weight training. You will get better results when you are not so fatigued by cardio. Then after your weight training, do your cardio 30 - 45 min.

This is what my trainer said too. Do weights first, then cardio if you're going to do them both in the same session.

Hi, i was just wondering why some say to just do the weights first. My trainer also told me to do the treadmill for 30 min first to warm up, then do the weights and then do the treadmill again for 30 minutes. Then i can go. all of this takes me usually about 1 hour and 15 min or so. Just wondering if i should do cardio one day then weights without cardio on the other day and do them every other day?? what do you think???

Personally, I think it depends on what you're trying to achieve. If you're paying a trainer, they obey him, lol. But for me, muscle building work is just a necessary evil and I keep it to a minimum - some weight bearing compound exercises like push ups, tricep dips, ab work, squats and lunges. I have no interest in hoiking up a dumbell to scult a bicep and I dont particularly want to look cut or muscular either so I love my cardio. I love it, it will always be my priority and the rest I do just to maintain a healthy muscle mass on my body.

And I dont believe cardio "wastes" muscle either, my legs and behind are testimony to that. A year of running has made me much denser and more muscular than I ever was. And the core strength I've gained from it is a real eye opener too, I'm significantly stronger.

So really, just doing ANYTHING is what's important