better to split up cardio and weights in two diff sessions???

[firsttimer22]

is it better to split up cardio and weight training in 2 seperate sessions throughout the day if possible.....like cardio on empty stomach in morning then come back for weights or cardio on empty stomach in morning then eat then weights or cardio straight to weights?

[420daytona]

IMO cardio in the AM on an empty stomach. Cardio before lifting would tire you too much beforehand, and also make your workout too long.

[bass]

cardio in the morning on empty stomach, 30 minutes low intensity right after lifting then take your PWO protein immediately...

[firsttimer22]

when you say morning empty stomach, would it be better to add a low carb protein shake prior to starting cardio?

[Reed]

Nothing in your stomach other than a strictly BCAA drink. No protein shake prior.

[firsttimer22]

why no protein shake prior?

[gbrice75]

I do my weight workout in the am immediately followed by a 30 minute cardio. However, I am eating 1/2 cup oats and a protein shake one hour prior to working out. Various members on this board have suggested I eat in the am, even with the cardio session so close to the meal (it's actually at least 2 hours away as my workout itself is about an hour long).

I think it's a matter of picking the lesser of 2 evils; on a schedule like this, if you do not eat preworkout then your workout suffers a bit, or you're at least not at your max potential running on an empty tank - but cardio benefits as you're burning stored energy (but does an empty stomach necessarily GUARANTEE fat is burned? I would think the body is catabolic at this point and may be holding on to fat and breaking down muscle tissue for energy!!!). On the other hand, if you eat preworkout you are fueled up for your weight session, but there is some immediate energy still available during cardio (again, is this true? I think it depends on how intense your weight workout is, maybe you burn through that measly 30g carbs and when cardio time comes, you're essentially on an empty stomach again but the workout has now benefited from the fuel!).

I'm leaning towards eating in the am and fueling my workout. I think 2+ elapsed hours is enough time to still have an effective cardio session. Until somebody can prove this to be wrong, i'm not going to worry!

[firsttimer22]

protein has nothing to do with energy...carbs and fat are used for energy...i was going to do cardio in the am on a low carb protein shake then hit the weights later on in the day

[POPS]

Nothing in your stomach other than a strictly BCAA drink. No protein shake prior.

x2 here!!

[firsttimer22]

ok i c that you guys keep saying it, but can you explain the reasoning??? why would you not want protein in you prior to cardio, doesnt it aid in muscle preservation???

what does a bcaa shake do thats soo good?

[ranging1]

BCAA shake preserves muscle

and protein has do something to do with energy

protein is about 4 calories per gram

therefore its a form of energy

if it had nothing to do with energy that means u could 1000 grams of protein and not get fat

which isnt true, ud get fat fast

whatever protein that isnt utalised for muscle growth is either burned through a complex process im not going to explain, or it is converted and stored as fat

meaning yes u can have a proterin shake before your cardio, but remeber its still a calorie so though it may preserve muscle, it will also prevent some fat burning potential

a BCAA shake is better becuase it has less calories and lots of amino acids (which is what proteins made up of) to help preserve muscle

[firsttimer22]

ah i c, thanks ranging