Which is better first cardio or weights?

The way I have been doing my workouts at the gym I start off with a 30-40 minute cardio workout, then do my weight lifting routine. Someone has suggested to me that it is better that I do the weight lifting first then the cardio. So which order do you guys do your workouts in and why?  Thanks Alan

I do it the way you do it.  After my cardio, I feel warmed up and ready to lift some weights. Kevin

Not sure which is best.  I normally do 30 minutes of weights and then 60 minutes of cardio (spinning).  Nothing left in me after the spinning sessions.  I run on the alternate days (no weights).   I would think whichever works for you.  The important thing is doing something. Rob

Hi Alan, Just depends on what your priorities are.  Some studies show you burn more fat doing cardio after your weight training session and that's the general order most people follow...weights first, cardio after. If I have to squeeze it into 1 workout, I will do the weights first. But I think it's much more effective to do them at separate training sessions. I prefer cardio on off days or at a separate workout on the same day.  It really just depends on what your goals are. If you plan on running a 5k or something like that...cardio first. For general health, it doesn't really matter that much. Good luck Earl

Weights supposedly boosts the metabolism, then your run burns calories on the boosted metabolism and also has the effect of keeping the metabolism boosted. You do need to warm up for ten minutes to the point of sweating though prior to weight training. Not doing so can increase the risk of heart attack.

Dave

There is an interesting article on burning stubborn fat on the following website. http://www.weight-lifting-workout-routines.com/index.html Article Title - "10 Hidden Keys To Rapidly Burn Stubborn Fat"  The ninth key talks about how your body does not burn fat in the first 20 minutes of a workout but burns Glycogen as an energy source.  It recommends the you do 20 minutes of light weight lifting before doing as cardio workout for burning fat.  My trainer has me do the same on my circuit training days.  I do 20 minutes on the treadmill or eliptical before lifting.  Read the article and enjoy.