I start with cardio. I spend 45 minutes on the elliptical trainer and I don't think I could keep it up that long after completing an intense lifting session. Since my schedule doesn't permit trips to the gym more than once every two days, I need to get in both parts of my workout every time I go.

i start with 15 minutes of cardio on the treadmill. Then i do my strength training such as arms or abs. then i do 15 minutes on the elliptical. i find this routine to be pretty effective.

I do weights first, then cardio.

i do them on different days... which is why i don't do enough of either but that's all the time i've got!

Cardio first.

I have always done cardio before weights. I do an hour on the arc trainer. Then I do weights. I alternate days between my weight training for my upper body and my lower body. Anyone else do this? I was told it's better to do it this way.

I do cardio first, too. I don't just alternate upper and lower body, I do specific parts. My husband got me doing this. There apparently taught that by there Master Gunny or some one. One day I focus on abs and back, one day legs, one day arms. I like it a lot better this way.

Usually do the weights first.

i hear cardio first speeds your metabolism for the day. true?

I used to have a PT and she told me to always do weight lifting first. If you do cardio first, you tire out all of your muscles and you will not benefit as much from lifting weights. I do warm up cardio for about 5-10 mins, weights, then full cardio, then abs. Although I'm sure different things work for different ppl, I really notice that I look more toned when doing it this way.

I workout with a trainer, he starts me with about 10-15 minutes on the treadmill at a brisk walk on an incline, to get my heartrate up and blood flowing. Then we do about an hour of weight training, calisthenics, and some pilates. Typically with a focus (core, legs, back, upper body). Then I do another 30 minutes to an hour of cardio on the eliptical or treadmill.

i have to do weights first - i'm too tired after cardio

I can only do half the number of sets during weight training when I do cardio first, but I can always finish my goal cardio time when I do weights first. I am a runner and soccer player, so I focus mostly on my upper body and abs twice a week and lower body once a week (my shortest workout all week!).

I don't do both of them the same day. I do cardio (running or swimming) every other day and Pilates in the days between.

i do cardio, but no lifts whatsoever. i know...terrible. but i'm already bulked up and am too freaked out for more.

I'm with you Feesje, I do Cardio 4 days and Strength 2 with a day off usually Saturdays, although sometimes I go for a hike Saturday mornings.

I mix it up: 10 mins. on the Cybex stepper, then all my weight lifting (I alternate each day between abs and upper body weights and legs/lower body weights,) then I finish with 20 mins. on the elliptical and 15 on the treadmill doing a running/speedwalking mix. I wish I didn't feel so pressed for time whenever I'm there!

I mix it up: 10 mins. on the Cybex stepper, then all my weight lifting (I alternate each day between abs and upper body weights and legs/lower body weights,) then I finish with 20 mins. on the elliptical and 15 on the treadmill doing a running/speedwalking mix. I wish I didn't feel so pressed for time whenever I'm there!

I have had this internal debate with myself for years. I havn't found a clear cut answer. However, I circumvent this by doing Cardio in the AM and then weight lifting in the PM.

I hate lifting in the morning and by lifting in the afternoon I get lots and lots of eye candy as motivation to keep going!!

Also if it's an "off" day I can just do yoga in the morning and still get a great stretch and feel more focused during the day, it's my form of active recovery. =)

I do weights first because I'll get too tired if I do cardio first. I know my body and it throws in the towel after 45 minutes of cardio no matter what!

In general I do a quick 15 minute warm-up usually switching up 3 types of cardio activities, then weights, and then cardio.

I allow 48 hours between weight lifting. When I lift, it is circuit training.

I run 15 minutes on lifting days and 45 minutes on non-lifting days.

Monday: 15 minute cardio, circuit training, tennis lesson, ballet lesson

Tuesday: 45 minute run

Wednesday: 15 minutes cardio, circuit training, tennis lesson, ballet lesson

Thursday: 45 minute run

Friday: 15 minute cardio, circuit training, tennis lesson

Saturday: Something fun like more tennis

Sunday: Nothing!

I always start with 10 minutes on the eliptical to warm up all of my muscle areas because er.. why would I warm up on a bike and then go do some arm weights?

Then I'll do 10 minutes of more cardio.

Then hit the weight machines. Arms, legs, abs.. everything.

Then 10 more minutes of cardio! =)

Weights first!lol

Weights first!lol

Cardio first. Got it!

This morning I did 15 minutes on the Stairmaster. The 15 on the eliptical. Is that enough time?

I love weights and hate cardio.. so I do it first like taking a band-aid off and then start the fun stuff..
when I've eaten a lot that week, I'd do 45 minutes on the elyptical..
if not, then I'll just do 10 to 15 min and then start weight lifting

i do weights mornings and cardio afternoon

I start with most of my cardio just to get it over with lol. 25 minutes on the treadmill, then about an hour of weights and then finish with 10 minutes on the stationary bike.

I start with elliptical or step, then weights, abs, and then cardio again, another machine.

i warm-up for 10-15 mins on the elliptical...then i do 30-45 mins of weights and then depending on how much energy i hv left and the kind of cardio trainin i'm doin, i do anywhere b/w 30-60 mins of cardio

I love that we are having this conversation I was always a "cardio first, then weights" type of girl but then the last few times I was at the gym I overheard trainers telling their clients in their sessions about how they can burn more fat if they do the weights first (just as Fit mentioned above), so I've changed my routine! Like most of you ladies, I typically alternate days but there are times when I do both in the same day. I'm a big fan of pilates, so sometimes I'll do my pilates moves on my ball with my stretch band for tummy and strength training, and then my cardio. I love it!

When I was overweight and worked with a PT she always had me doing cardio for a few minutes (typically 10-15 minutes) to get my heart rate up. Then we would do strength training on some days and resistance and free weights on other days always alternating. And she would incorporate add pilates and core exercises into the routine. But the one constant was the cardio every time i worked out! Cardio is good even if you can't make it to the gym or lift weights! Just do it!