Should You Do Cardio Before or After A Workout?

28 Oct 2025 · 1 min

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In this segment, the speaker explains that performing cardio before weight training depletes muscle glycogen, which reduces the energy available for lifting and can limit the amount of weight you can handle. Conversely, doing cardio after resistance training—provided it is low‑intensity enough to allow a conversation—does not impair lifting performance, recovery, or muscle growth. The recommendation is to place low‑intensity cardio after weight sessions when the goal is to lose fat while simultaneously building muscle.

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What's the difference between cardio before your workout versus after? Cardio before uses glycogen for energy, and glycogen is just energy for your muscles. So when you go into lifting weights, your muscles will have less energy and you won't be able to lift as heavy. But when you do cardio after a workout, it won't have a negative effect on your lifting. And as long as you keep it to low intensity where you're able to hold a conversation while you're doing it, then it won't negatively affect recovery or muscle building. So if your goal is to lose fat and build muscle at the same time, then do your cardio after you lift weights.