The bottom line is that it really depends upon your goals and where you are now in reaching your long-term objectives.
Very recent studies have shown that for the average person it really doesn't matter, after a "break in period of a couple of months. Both strength and cardio health indicators improved to a statistically similar degree, whether you did one or the other first or whether you did them on different days.
Most successful "natural" bodybuilders will do their cardio either on an empty stomach, before breakfast, or after completing their weight lifting. The theory being that once the muscles are depleted of glycogen, you're more likely to burn fat during your cardio session.
I personally do 15-30 minutes of cardio after each of my four weekly weight room workouts, in order to manage my body composition, as well as several short walking and stair climbing sessions, during my weekdays at the office.
At the same time, because I am a multi-sport athlete, I also tend to do sport specific cardio, either steady state or HIIT on the other three days of the week. I don't find this to be onerous because for the most part, I'm doing activities that I love, either on the bike, one the road, on the slopes, or in the water.
Do what works for you. Both cardio and strength training are important for overall health and sports success. And unless you're working at an Olympic or pro sports level, it really doesn't matter.
Very recent studies have shown that for the average person it really doesn't matter, after a "break in period of a couple of months. Both strength and cardio health indicators improved to a statistically similar degree, whether you did one or the other first or whether you did them on different days.
Most successful "natural" bodybuilders will do their cardio either on an empty stomach, before breakfast, or after completing their weight lifting. The theory being that once the muscles are depleted of glycogen, you're more likely to burn fat during your cardio session.
I personally do 15-30 minutes of cardio after each of my four weekly weight room workouts, in order to manage my body composition, as well as several short walking and stair climbing sessions, during my weekdays at the office.
At the same time, because I am a multi-sport athlete, I also tend to do sport specific cardio, either steady state or HIIT on the other three days of the week. I don't find this to be onerous because for the most part, I'm doing activities that I love, either on the bike, one the road, on the slopes, or in the water.
Do what works for you. Both cardio and strength training are important for overall health and sports success. And unless you're working at an Olympic or pro sports level, it really doesn't matter.
