What happens if I do cardio after muscle training?

Author: Jack Botsford  |  Last update: Saturday, January 17, 2026

If you do cardio first, you will deplete some of that glycogen, decreasing your energy. And that will make weight lifting more challenging.” Cardio relies on a mix of glycogen and fat for fuel, he added. You burn glycogen when you lift weights, so if you do cardio afterward, your body has to burn more fat for fuel.

Is it good to do cardio after muscle training?

The majority of fitness experts will advise you to do the cardio after the weight training, because if you do cardio first, it uses up much of the energy source for your anaerobic work (strength training) and fatigues the muscles before their most strenuous activity. Takeaway.

Will cardio after lifting hurt gains?

Cardio after is best if you're trying to build muscle. Doing before will tire you out a little making it harder to push yourself as hard as you can. Cardio after lifting will have no negative effects on muscle gain.

Does cardio cancel out weightlifting?

No, Cardio does not stop muscle gain. You do burn more calories so you must eat more to stay in a caloric surplus so you can put on more muscle. You also must train to gain muscle still. AKA you still need to lift weights in such a way that your body wants to adapt by gaining more lean mass.

What is the 3/2/1 rule in gym?

What is the 3-2-1 method of working out? The 3-2-1 refers to your weekly split of workouts - three strength training sessions, two Pilates sessions, and one cardio session. All up, that's six sessions per week, leaving you one full rest day, too.

should you do cardio before or after weight lifting?

What is the 70 30 rule gym?

Shifting stubborn fat comes down to the 70/30 rule: only 30% comes from exercise whereas 70% comes from making changes to what you eat. It is the most important factor in a shredding fat.

What is the 421 hourglass method?

The 4-2-1 method structures your week of workouts around four days of strength training, two days of cardio, and one day of mobility or active rest, designed to optimize fat loss while maintaining muscle mass.

Is cardio bad for muscle gain?

For most people, cardio shouldn't keep you from gaining strength and size as long as you prioritize resistance training and fuel the repair and creation of new muscle tissue with adequate nutrition and recovery.

Is 30 minutes of cardio after weights good?

Doing a cardio workout after weight training is ideal if you want to lose fat and get stronger.

Does cardio increase testosterone?

By exercising, you'll likely maintain a healthy weight and improve your cardiovascular functioning, which has positive effects on your testosterone. However, working out alone won't cause a long-term increase in testosterone levels, Dr. El-Zawahry says.

Do you burn more fat if you do cardio after lifting?

If you do cardio first, you will deplete some of that glycogen, decreasing your energy. And that will make weight lifting more challenging.” Cardio relies on a mix of glycogen and fat for fuel, he added. You burn glycogen when you lift weights, so if you do cardio afterward, your body has to burn more fat for fuel.

What is hypertrophy?

WHAT IS HYPERTROPHY? Muscle hypertrophy (known simply as hypertrophy) is an increase in the size of a muscle, or its cross- sectional area attributed to an increase in the size and/ or number of myofibrils (actin and myosin) within a given muscle fiber.

Is cardio bad for bulking?

Despite all of this, it is true that excess cardio will inhibit growth. This is because the excess of exercise will burn the calorie surplus you're eating, undoing the hard work. However, to get the benefits of cardio, you'll need to keep your activity levels up with low and moderate intensity exercise.

Do you lose gains if you do cardio after lifting?

As long as your post-lifting cardio workouts are fairly short and low-intensity, they shouldn't get in the way of muscle building. It's also worth noting that not all forms of cardio have the same impact. Walking 10-to-20 minutes to the gym won't hurt your gains.

Should you do cardio or weights first to lose belly fat?

The case for doing weights first

The less tired you are, the more repetitions you'll be able to do with correct form -- and good form is crucial for performing strength training exercises safely and effectively. Doing weights first may also be helpful for fat loss when combined with cardio, according to Millington.

What type of cardio is best for fat loss?

Some of the most popular gym cardio exercises include:
  • Running on the treadmill. A 30-minute session on a treadmill at 6 mph (a 10-minute mile pace) can burn approximately 350 calories.
  • Cycling on a stationary or exercise bike. ...
  • Using the rowing machine. ...
  • Working out on the elliptical.

How long should I wait to do cardio after lifting?

Is It Ok To Do Cardio And Strength Training On The Same Day? In short, yes. However, Gymshark Lifting Club coach Zach Watson recommends that for training cardio and strength on the same day: 'Ideally, if you have time, you should split your cardio and weight training sessions, leaving 4 to 6 hours between workouts.

Do bodybuilders do cardio?

As stated in the intro, bodybuilders primarily use cardio as a means in increase their caloric expenditure (Cardiovascular training has a TON of other health benefits, but we will not touch on those benefits here).

What is Zone 1 cardio after lifting?

The best training zone for recovery is zone 1 also known as active recovery. This is a low-load, steady conversational pace with little load or resistance on the muscles. The purpose of recovery in this zone is to deliver oxygenated blood to speed up tissue repair and reduce muscle soreness.

Will cardio burn belly fat?

To burn off visceral fat, your first step is to include at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise or cardio into your daily routine. Studies show that aerobic exercises for belly fat help reduce belly fat and liver fat. Some great cardio of aerobic exercises for belly fat include: Walking, especially at a quick pace.

Will I lose muscle if I run?

Cardio should be seen as a tool used to enhance overall fitness or to facilitate fat loss in the form of caloric expenditure. Running long distance and jogging will most likely chip away at the muscle if you go overboard and the overall caloric intake is not matched.

Does cardio interfere with muscle recovery?

After intense workouts, your muscles accumulate lactic acid and other waste products that can cause soreness and stiffness. Low-intensity cardio, such as walking or light cycling, helps flush these byproducts from your system, speeding up the recovery process.

What is 4 days lifting 2 days cardio?

The 4-2-1 method refers to a weekly workout split: 4 days of strength training, 2 days of cardio, and 1 day of mobility or active rest. A workout split is a way to structure your exercise routine so that your muscles are primed and ready for each day.

What diet is Mark Wahlberg on?

"Normally with intermittent fasting I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. I'll eat at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. for an eighteen hour fast and a six hour eating window," he said. "Usually eggs, protein pancakes, smoked salmon, a couple pork chops, a couple sausage links and protein with some almond butter for breakfast.

What is the 7 second method?

The 7-second rule is deceptively simple: after asking a question, wait for at least seven seconds before moving on. This strategic pause is more than a silence; it's a powerful tool for inclusion and better decision-making.

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