Which Do I Do First? Does it Matter??

so my workouts look something like this:  3x's per week on eliptical or bike followed by weights. One short run for speed and hill work, weekly 5K.

My question is this: when doing cardio and weights at same session, is it better to do one over the other first? Better to do weights AFTER cardio or vise versa? Does it  matter?

I want to get the best benefit from my time.

I'm still 14 to 16 lbs. from my goal, depending on the day. I've only lost 4.5 lbs. this past 30 days, but have lost 10.5 inches. Still frustrating!!

Thanks for input!

Kathy

I don't know if it matters...I always do my 20 minutes on the treadmill or bike first, then go to the weight machines. I figure that warms my muscles up nicely.

Jenny

Thanks Jenny. I was thinking the same thing. I am just so focused on wanting to do it "all" right!

Thanks!
Kathy

I generally do a short warm up - ten minutes or so rowing, then do my weights, followed by my regular cardio (running, rowing, eliptical, or whatever..)

I have seen arguments for both.
Personally I do weights first.  And it is totally a preference of how I feel.
When I'm doing a good run workout I build up a good sweat and I hate laying down on the benches or machines when I'm all sweaty like that.

I'm also more tired when I finish my run than I am when I lift weights.  I really try to work my run harder than my lifting routine.  I lift for maintenance and support, while I run for improvement.
I find that if I run first, I'm often too tired to get in a good lifting workout, but that doesn't seem to be the case when I lift first, run second.

Scott

Thanks guys. I think I will try switching it up a bit. I like the idea of doing a 10 min. warmup, and the gym has rowing machines, so I think I will try that, then weights then cardio and alternate the two on different days to see which feels better.

Thanks again!
Kathy

I prefer doing 10-15 minutes of cardio prior to lifting, much more than that and you will expound a lot of energy needed to get good reps and pumps during lifting. I like cooling down with the same amount of cardio as well. It gets your heart rate up prior, and allows the muscles to stretch and cool down after. My 2 cents...