I recommend you incorporate both cardio and weight training in your workout program to ensure that you are getting the best of both worlds. There are many ways to do this.
The first way to accomplish this is to get cardio done before you perform weight training. One thing you have to keep in mind about this method is that your weight training workout may not be as efficient because you used a lot of glycogen doing cardio.
The second way to accomplish this is to do weight training before you get cardio done. Weight training before cardio may be easier on your body because weight training does not use up nearly as much glycogen than cardio training. Personally, I like this method better because it allows me to have the energy to crush the weights so I can maximize the most out of my weight training session. The problem with this style of training is that you may not want to do cardio after a brutal weight training session.
The third way to accomplish this is to combine both cardio and weight training at the same time. In my experience, circuit training is one of the best ways to accomplish that. This is the type of training where you combine a variety of different exercises and do them back to back to back with minimum rest in between. This is what I do if I am short on time and I want to get both cardio and weight training done. An example of this could be performing deadlifts, then you do shoulder presses, then you start doing ball slams, then, after that, you start knocking out some mountain climbers. This could all be one circuit that you do for five rounds with minimal rest. I am a big advocate for this style of training so if you want to trim down and are short on time, this may be for you.
The fourth way you can accomplish this is by separating your cardio sessions and weight training sessions completely. Have workout sessions specifically for cardio and other workout sessions specifically for weight training. This method is great because you can focus your energy primarily on the specific style of training you are aiming for without compromising the other. Maybe you do cardio three days a week and weight train twice a week, maybe you do cardio in the morning then weight train in the afternoon. Now you have more options.
The fifth way to accomplish this is to mix and match all four ways listed above. When you constantly mix and match different styles of training, you keep your body guessing, and when you keep your body guessing, you avoid seeing plateaus and put yourself in the best position to see results.
With that being said, getting results is not a linear process. Just like in business, there are up’s and down’s when it comes to your fitness grind. Some days, you will be able to crush it and hit your PRs, and on other days, you will feel like you can barely lift anything. The goal is to keep striving to make progress. You’re not going to be able to go as hard as you want every single workout, but in order to lose fat and develop the body you truly desire, you must never settle for being complacent. Have embedded in your mind that you are always trying to get better. This will give you the motivation to keep pushing forward.
