Don't get me wrong - I usually do a 5-12 minute walk or sprint / walk interval to get the blood flowing through my body as a warm up! But doing heavy weight lifting prior to cardio can be advantageous for several reasons.
Firstly, it allows you to prioritize strength and muscle development, as lifting heavy weights requires significant energy and focus. By performing weightlifting first, you can maximize your efforts and lift heavier loads, leading to greater strength gains.
Secondly, heavy weightlifting depletes muscle glycogen stores, which are the primary source of fuel during cardio exercises. By exhausting these glycogen stores through weightlifting first, your body is then forced to rely more on stored fat for fuel during the subsequent cardio session. This can be beneficial for individuals aiming to lose body fat or improve their body composition.
Lastly, heavy weightlifting can elevate your metabolism and create an "afterburn effect" known as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). This means that even after your weightlifting session, your body continues to burn calories at an increased rate for hours, aiding in overall calorie expenditure.
Overall, by prioritizing heavy weightlifting before cardio, you can optimize muscle development, enhance fat burning potential, and maximize the metabolic benefits of your workout.
