Monday, February 18, 2013

Is Cardio Better Before Or After Resistance Training?

By Russ Howe


One of the most regularly asked questions in the fitness industry is 'Should you do cardio before or after weights for better fat loss and muscle growth?' Lots of people are lost in the subject of how to build muscle so today we'll clear up the science behind this subject for you.

Thanks to the ongoing scientific research being performed in the health and fitness industry, many of the old myths and theories which were used for years have now been either confirmed as fact or condemned to ancient myth. This area is the latest to go under the microscope.

Over the last five years or so, there have been a number of tests on subjects to figure out the definitive answer to this popular fitness myth.

The answer may surprise you. Despite popular opinion, you should be performing your cardiovascular work before you begin weight training. Most instructors and fitness enthusiasts recommend doing it the other way around, the theory behind that approach being that if you hit the weights after a cardiovascular session your muscles will already be significantly worn out.

These recent findings lay to waste one of the oldest theories in fitness. It dates back so long that many people believe it to be fact and still insist on doing it to this very day. However, scientific studies prove that those who put their aerobic activity earlier in their workout enjoyed better fat loss and muscle growth.

Even subjects who were performing HIIT got the same overall results.

When you workout the body releases 2 enzymes which play a major role in your overall results. They are known as mTOR and AMPK. AMPK is designed to help you adapt to prolonged aerobic activity, so it's released as you do run on a treadmill or cycle.

When you finish a resistance workout, however, the body responds by increasing the release of an enzyme known as mTOR. This turns on the recovery process and helps you to build more lean muscle. The 2 enzymes don't work together well. In fact, having AMPK in your system will switch off the release of mTOR. So, by staying on a treadmill after your finish your weight training you'll significantly turn down your release of mTOR.

When the body increases it's release of mTOR enzyme it's signalling the beginning of the so-called 'golden window' for nutrition. This is the often fabled period of time where your body will make the most of any nutrients you provide it with. Release is increased for up to six hours.

If you choose to separate your training into two sessions, bear in mind what we have just pointed out. Research shows that you should separate your two training sessions by at least six hours, so if you want to hit the weights first thing in the morning and then the treadmill later in the day that is absolutely fine, just ensure there is enough time between both sessions to maximize your results.

While discovering how to build muscle can often be confusing and misleading due to the number of myths out there, science is helping every day to make things clearer. If you were previously unsure whether to do cardio before or after weights you now have the research to enhance your results.




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