Separating Resistance Training From Cardio

Kelly and I have long discussed the problem of following weight training with cardio.

In short, if you're putting everything you have into 20-28 sets of resistance training per workout, there is little, if anything, left for cardio.

We've tried putting cardio before weights and the results there -- even worse -- a noticeable decline in energy levels and the ability to handle heavy weight.

I have read and talked to some bodybuilders about the problem and most of them split cardio away from the weights, e.g., cardio in the morning and weights in the afternoon, or vice versa.

Problem? It means going to the gym twice a day and we're just too busy to get that done on a consistent basis.

Which brings me to the solution -- we purchased two elliptical trainers and are reconfiguring our garage into a mini-gym -- the trainers, a complete set of dumbbells and a couple of benches. This is not to replace the gym in any way, but allows us to work weak areas we have designated for improvement at home and, most importantly, separate cardio from the weight training.

We've been on the program a couple of weeks now and love it.

We get up, go to the gym, put all we've got into it, come home, work, rest, and then late in the afternoon or early evening, get our cardio. And cardio feels very different -- we're rested, relaxed, and ready. We can hit it harder, burn more calories and feel we've given the best we can in both areas -- weights and cardio.

Only caveat -- don't do cardio too close to bedtime -- you rev the metabolism and body doesn't want to sleep. We've found, though, that if you finish your cardio at least 2 hours before bedtime, no problem. You'll sleep like a baby.

That's news from the home front. Hope all is well.

Train hard; diet harder!

Best,

Jim
Plus50Fitness.com