Among the scorching topics melting bodybuilding fora, there reigns the age-old debate of which comes first: cardio or weight lifting? There are multiple sides to this complex issue, all of which are resolved by considering research, body composition and individual goals.
Since I was 18 I have practiced what I am told is “lactic acid cycling” or “cardioacceleration”: the practice of doing 30sec-1min intervals of cardiovascular exercise between weight lifting sets to maximize burn (so I presumed) – with no rest between sets. It should be strictly noted that in addition to my female status, I am a runner and I lift *light* weights. Those who lift heavy or have less inclination toward cardiovascular activities would clearly prefer to omit cardio or perform it after their weight training, perhaps even on a different day.
For cardio endurance athletes – particularly marathoners, cyclists and triathletes – the process of incorporating cardiovascular exercise between sets makes sense. Adding bulk to a physique that is intended to move quickly would be counterproductive, the same way that running more than bi-daily 3-5 miles is counterproductive to a heavy weight lifter’s ability to add mass. Thus, maintaining a weight-cardio cycle for 45 minutes to 1 hour a couple of times a week can enhance cardiovascular performance – in much the same way HIIT does, actually.
The Effects of Cardio Between Weight Sets
4 Surprising Reasons to do Cardio While You Are Weight Training
