Do you include both weightlifting and aerobic exercise in the same workout? If so, which do you tackle first?
If you workout at a smaller gym (like I do) then your answer might vary depending on the day. Smaller gyms typically mean less equipment, so if you enter the gym hoping to get your run in on the treadmill before heading to the weights, but all of the treadmills, stationary bikes and elliptical machines are in use, then you might be forced to switch up your schedule and lift first. On other days the opposite might be true. You might want to lift first, but if that portion of the gym is packed you might have to settle for getting in your cardio first.
Fitness experts say if you have a choice it’s generally best to lift weights first. The reason: energy level. Experts maintain that you’ll have more energy at the beginning of your workout, which may result in a more productive weightlifting session. In addition, if you wait until the end of your workout session to lift weights you might be too tired to use proper form, which could lead to injury. Another benefit to lifting weights before running, biking or rowing is that lifting weights can boost your fat-burning power during the aerobic part of your workout. According to experts, weightlifting can deplete your “quick burst” energy (glycogen) and when you do your cardio workout after lifting weights, you’ll likely burn less glycogen and more stored fat.
So where does that leave people like us who must make do with working out at a gym with limited equipment? If I have to wait for weights (or free benches or open weight machines) I use the time to stretch or recently, I have been experimenting with weighted hula-hoops. They are a fun way to burn calories, but they do not require expending nearly as much effort as a treadmill or stair climber. You determine the amount of weight you want to add to the hula hoop–lighter hoops require more energy to keep going while heavier hoops are easier to keep going, but you tend to use them longer once you get them going.
Have you tried working out with weighted hula-hoops?
Michele Cheplic writes about red-hot celebrities in POP CULTURE, fiery topics in PARENTS, sizzling recipes in FOOD, calorie burning exercises in FITNESS, and hot new kid-friendly crafts in FUN. Check out all of her articles here.
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