Weight training followed by a cardio workout is associated with the greatest weight loss results, latest evidence has revealed.
A new study has found that training weights before cardio helped people be more physically active throughout the day, showing that the order of your workout is beneficial.
A total of 45 men aged between 18 and 30 took part in the investigation, all of whom were obese.
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Each participant was randomly placed into one of three groups: one control group and two exercise groups.
Participants in the control group followed their usual lifestyle and exercise routines. Meanwhile, those in the exercise groups worked out for 60 minutes three times a week.
The training programmes in each exercise group was the same but one group performed weight training before cardio, while the other did cardio before weights.
In the trial, cardio included a stationary cycling workout for 30 minutes and weight training involved exercises such as a deadlift, bicep curl, squat and bench press.
All participants in each exercise group improved their body composition, cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength, regardless of which group they were in.
However, those who lifted weights first had greater reductions in overall body fat and visceral fat compared to individuals who did cardio first.
In addition, people in the group who lifted weights first and did cardio last had better muscular endurance and explosive strength compared to those who did cardio first and weights last.
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Lifting weights first drains your glycogen stores, meaning when it comes to cardio your body relies more on fat reserves for energy, the results have revealed.
Doing cardio first can also mean the muscles are fatigued when it comes to weight training, the study has reported.
Prior research has revealed that body fat and visceral fat can be reduced by resistance training alone.
