Should you do cardio or weights first? All gym goers have been faced with this choice one too many times. Some prefer doing weights before they hit the cardio machines, while others try to get over it before. But is there a better option of the two? New research suggests you might want to hit the weight room before you hop on the treadmill, bike, or elliptical. A study published in April in the Journal of Exercise Science and Fitness investigated how the order of cardio and resistance training might impact health and fitness. The findings showed that participants who did strength training before cardio had "remarkable progress" in physical activity, fat loss, and muscular strength and endurance. But does this mean lifting weights before cardio is always the optimal choice? What Happens When You Do Cardio After Weights, and Vice Versa? In the study, researchers had a group of young men who were overweight or obese try different workout orders. They split the men into three groups: One group lifted weights, then did cardio.Another group did cardio, then lifted weights.The third group didn't do any structured exercise.The groups that exercised worked out three times a week for an hour each session, over three months. Both exercise groups did 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of strength training; only the order was different. Experts noted that a good point of the study was that both groups followed the same workout plan, which helped keep things fair. Before, during, and after the study, researchers checked everyone's activity levels, body fat, muscle strength, and heart fitness. The results showed that both exercise groups improved in: How active they wereTheir body composition (less fat, more muscle)Muscle strengthHeart and lung fitnessHowever, the group that lifted weights first saw even more benefits. They had less body fat and fat mass, and their muscles became more powerful and had better endurance.These results suggest that lifting weights before cardio is the best if you want to improve these specific things. However, a point noted was that the group that did cardio first still saw "very good" improvements that are good for health. How Your Workout Order Affects Your Body?Generally, the order of your workout matters because of how each type of exercise makes you tired. Doing cardio first can make you tired, meaning you might not have enough energy to put your full effort into lifting weights. Research supports this, showing that intense cardio before weights can reduce your strength endurance. When you lift weights first, you're likely able to do your strength training with your best energy and focus. This might explain why the group that lifted weights first in the study spent more time training at higher intensities. This order could be ideal for people looking to build muscle or lose weight. However, doing cardio before lifting weights also has benefits, especially if you're trying to improve your cardio endurance and heart and lung health. It allows you to put your best effort into your cardio sessions, which can be helpful if that's something you struggle with. How to Build the Best Workout Routine for You?When planning your workouts, think about your main goals. Start with whichever type of exercise—strength or cardio—you want to prioritize and improve the most. Just make sure you don't skip either type of training. Both are important for improving your health and fitness and should be a regular part of your exercise routine. Also, changing up your workout order occasionally can help your body adapt to new challenges, further improving both muscle and heart fitness. Ultimately, remember that simply doing either cardio or weight training will help you improve muscle strength, bone density, heart endurance, and fat loss. Most people prefer to lift weights followed by cardio, and more studies support the benefits of this order. But the most important thing is to find what works for you, and the health benefits will follow.