Trainers: Lift Weights Before Doing Cardio To Drop Pounds

What do you do when you go to the gym? Cardio? Strength training? You probably do a mix of both, but in what order?

There's been a debate in the fitness community whether you should do cardio or lift weights at the beginning of your workout if your goal is to lose weight.

Trainers say that if your goal is to increase your endurance, then do your cardio workout first. However, lifting weights to start your workout will benefit you more if your plan is to lose weight. That's because strength training depletes your glycogen levels, which will allow your cardio session to go straight to attacking fat. It won't be a huge increase in calories burned, but every little bit helps.

I've always done my cardio first, then weights, because I feel that I need all of my energy to make it through the thirty minutes on the treadmill. My wife is a firm believer that strength training, especially as we get older, is even more important than cardio activities. She's in better shape than I am, so who am I to argue?

Ultimately, the most important thing is to stay physically active for as many years as you can. A sedentary lifestyle will only lead to an earlier "after-lifestyle."